Dallas Stars forward and Victoria’s own Jamie Benn has garnered fans from all over the hockey world but perhaps one of his biggest is Spencer Judson from Sidney, and last month Spencer took a trip to Texas where his Dallas dream came true. Tyler Bennett has the story.
21-year-old Spencer Judson is a young man who has overcome many challenges in his life, and for his Christmas present this year – his mom Carol arranged for the two of them to go down to Dallas and watch
Victoria’s Jamie Benn in action.
“It’s a great Christmas present for Spencer,” Carol says, “he loves hockey, knows everything about so many different teams, and he’s met Jamie before, and I thought yeah that’d be good.”
And through a friend who already lived in Dallas, Spencer was able to go to the pre-game skate before the game and once again meet his hockey hero.
“I got to go to the pre-game practice in the morning,” Spencer says, “and at the practice I got to see Jamie Benn, Jordie Benn, Adam Cracknell and Jiri Hudler.”
“Which was, beyond our wildest imagination,” Carol says, “we were just happy to do a game, and it just sort of, one person was kind, another person was kind, and we get there and I look over and I’m like Spencer, Jamie totally recognizes you, go over and talk to him, so they just sat there and talked and talked about I have no idea what so I just let them have his moment.”
Spencer also showed off his Stars uniform, “he also signed this jersey I’m wearing.”
And after Jamie signed a stick to Spencer and got even more gifts from the team – Spencer then went to the game that night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the game in overtime, Spencer knew who was going to win the game.
“It just had to be Jamie Benn getting that game-winning goal.”
For Spencer, the chance to meet his hometown hero and watch him score the overtime winner the night he was in the building, was something he’ll never forget.
“There was just so much attention,” Carol says, “and just, ease and care and just general kindness when they were getting off, asking who are you and why are you here and wow you came all the way from Victoria.”
Spencer summed it up briefly, “The trip was a weekend to remember.”
Tyler Bennett
