Kayleigh Petersen became the first female signed by the New York Rangers of the NHL after signing a one day contract Thursday.
Petersen, 7, was signed as part of the the Rangers’ Garden of Dreams Night in coordination with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on the condition that she “agrees to have fun and smile.”
The deal is officially signed! Welcome to the #NYR family Kayleigh!! #GDFWEEK pic.twitter.com/vIQcfD1Pjq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2015
She was given a team bio that reads:
The New York Rangers announced today that the team has signed free agent Kayleigh Petersen from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey to a one-day contract. Petersen becomes the first female in franchise history to sign a one-day contract with the team. Petersen, 8, has been scouted during her House Mite League games this season, and the Rangers felt it was the appropriate time to offer a contract. “She has tremendous skills and we felt her strength and character are through the roof,” said Adam Graves, Rangers Hockey Operations Department. “We are proud and honored to have her as a part of the Rangers organization.” From East Brunswick, New Jersey, Petersen began playing hockey at age five and is also currently enrolled in Ballet, Hip Hop and Gymnastics. Her speed, skill and courage have impressed Rangers talent evaluators in her various Intro to Hockey lessons over the last two seasons, as well as at her most recent stint at Full Day Hockey Camp.
Petersen was given the jersey number 23, and was able to participate in pregame activities with the Rangers. (RELATED: Watch This Hockey Player Get His Throat Slashed Open [VIDEO])
Kayleigh meets some of her #NYR teammates on the team bench. #GDFWEEK @gardenofdreams pic.twitter.com/ZCBAYnhott — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2015
Newest Ranger rocking Beukeboom’s old number. @gardenofdreams pic.twitter.com/zm6wsyIZFO
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) December 3, 2015
Petersen underwent a liver transplant at the age of 18 months after being diagnosed with Tyrosinemia in 2009, according to the NY Daily News. (RELATED: Minor League Hockey Game Ends In Insane Brawl On Charity Night [VIDEO])
Very classy move by the Rangers to make this little girl’s dream of being part of a professional hockey organization come true.