STURGIS - Dillon Serdachny of Sturgis has been playing hockey since he was three years old and was completely in awe when he got to meet his idol Connor Bedard.
Serdachny, who plays hockey with the U11 AA Core Real Estate Yorkton Terriers had just finished a semifinal game with the Yorkton Terriers against Medicine Hat when Bedard’s trainer came by asking for a pair of hockey socks.
Yorkton would defeat Medicine Hat with a 4-3 overtime win. With the big win against Medicine Hat, the Yorkton U11 AA Core Real Estate Terriers became the first Yorkton team to ever win the George Watson U11 AA tournament.
Bedard, who plays with the Regina Pats of the WHL and is the consensus top pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, had forgotten to pack his hockey socks for a private training session in Yorkton and Dillon was only too happy to lend Bedard his socks. The socks that Serdachny had lent to Bedard were his game socks that he had worn while playing in the previous game.
Dillon and his mom and siblings had the opportunity to watch the practice session in the stands and waited the duration of the two hours for practice to be over before leaving for home. “After spending two-plus hours already in the arena, I was tired and really wanted to just go home but my son Dillion would not allow that,” said Lisa Serdachny, Dillon’s mom. “The weather had turned pretty nasty and the rain had made for some icy roads that was going to make for a long trip home back to Sturgis but the smiles and getting to meet Bedard made the wait well worth it,” she added.
When Bedard returned the socks, he had signed them and gave Dillion his hockey stick that he had used in the practice, which he had also signed.
Dillon was over the moon with excitement with not only meeting his idol but having the opportunity to have some special mementos that he will keep with him for a lifetime.
When the family finally got back home in Sturgis, Dillon fell asleep with Bedard’s stick placed by his pillow.
Dillon is the son of Dean and Lisa Serdachny of Sturgis.
