High schooler with rare disorder scores on first varsity shift (Video)
Matty Marcone donned the captain’s ‘C’ on his Canton High School hockey jersey Tuesday night. It was a deserved honor for the senior, who’s spent the last four years as the team’s manager.
It was a moment that was a long time coming, and one that will be remembered forever.
Marcone was diagnosed in 2012 with Dyskeratosis congenita, a rare genetic disorder that leads to premature bone marrow failure. There is no cure, but it hasn’t limited his love of hockey or, as Tuesday night showed, kept him off the ice.
So when Canton met Stoughton High School, the two coaches, Brian Schuman and Dan Mark, agreed to allow Marcone, who’s known around school as “The Mayor,” to take one shift during the game, according to the Boston Herald.
So when Marcone got his opportunity, he made the most of it.
Face-off win. Forced turnover. Some nice deking and a great finish. Solid first shift.
“Matty means so much to us,” Shuman said, via CBS Boston. “He’s an inspiration without knowing it and I think that’s the coolest thing about Matty, he’s so humble and inspirational and kind, he makes other people around him better.”
Canton would win the game 11-1, with Marcone’s goal tying the game and beginning what would turn out to be a rout.
“It felt good because I love scoring goals,” said Marcone. “I liked coming here and seeing all the fans, and it was just really cool out there. I was a little nervous coming in, but after I scored that goal, I was just so excited.”
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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