Making your NHL debut is a big enough deal on its own, but add a history-making moment into the mix, and you have yourself an emotional night to remember.
Garret Sparks had his first shot on the ice as a Maple Leaf on Monday, and the 22-year-old goalie proved his worth with a shutout game against the Edmonton Oilers. And not only this, but it was the first time any Leaf has done so in the franchise's 98-year history.
"Do you know you are the first goalie in Leafs' history to get a shut-out in their NHL debut?" the on-ice announcer asked Sparks after the game.
His reaction? Tears of total and complete joy.
Considering he'd come up from the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, entering the literal big leagues with this kind of action more than warrants some crying, we'd say. We can't wait to see what he keeps on doing this season.
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