{allcanada} CAMMALLERI SURPRISES BANTAM A PRACTICE

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The Toronto Star points out on what was a low-point day for Mike Cammalleri — the NHL cancelled the first two weeks of the season — the star of the Calgary Flames managed to put smiles on the faces of some young hockey players.

Cammalleri, who grew up in Richmond Hill, surprised the Richmond Hill Stars bantam A team by skating with them at practice on Thursday evening at Elgin Barrow Arena, the very ice where Cammalleri learned to skate.

"It was a dream come true," said Stars goalie Adam Sist. "Every kid wants to be in the NHL and we have an NHL mentor on the ice with us."

Cammalleri casually skated on to the ice about five minutes into their practice. The team was told a new kid was trying out.

"We see him skating out like a bat out of hell, and it's like, 'Wow,'" said Sist. "We knew it was him by the time he got to the net."

At one point, Cammalleri turned his attention to the young coaching staff, explaining a 3-on-2 play the team might want to consider.

"You can see the excitement in the kids' faces," said Stars coach Mike Ast. "They're trying extra hard out there."

At the end of the practice, Cammalleri coached the youngsters on the best way to shoot before signing autographs and posing for pictures.

"This is the exact rink where I grew up," said Cammalleri. "I skated here since I was 4 years old. I learned to play hockey in this rink.

"It's fun to be back in the community and practise with these guys. Seeing them having fun like this brings back some good memories for me."

Cammalleri says he's not intending to go to Europe.

"I have my own family now. There are challenges going to Europe. For now, at least, I can work on things here at home."

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