Jake Mattice (photo: GoFund Me)
A story of a Belleville boy losing his goalie equipment, has caught the attention of an NHL star.
On Monday, Belleville resident Wayne Mattice had his car broken into. Inside the vehicle was his son’s goalie equipment. His son Jake plays for the Belleville Junior Bulls.
Shortly after the news hit social media, a friend of the family created a GoFund Me account, raising money to purchase the goalie some new equipment.
A local photographer Joe Belanger posted an ad on Facebook, sharing the story, and that is when the story got some legs.
Belanger says in less than 18 hours, it was viewed 24,000+ times. One of those views came from Steve Mason, goaltender of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Mason contacted Belanger and the Mattice family and asked how he could help. He has agreed to get Jake new pads, blocker and trapper.
Jake is a Grade 8 student at Parkdale Public in Belleville.
Wayne Mattice says on February 4th, the new equipment will arrive and Jake will be sporting the new gear.
