Kingston was understandably exhausted from the procedure, but he told his parents, “Wake me up when they get here!” » He was ready when Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, Ryan Graves and Jack St. Ivany walked through his door.

“We like this setup. Beautiful cover! Saint Ivany told him. Brittany and Craig showed the group a picture of Kingston’s room at home, completely Penguin themed, with a fathead of Sidney Crosby on the wall. “It’s not preparation. This is how he lives his life! Brittany burst out laughing. “Beautiful life!” Malkin smiled.

As Kingston interacted with his visitors, a welcome distraction from everything he’s been through over the past few weeks, Brittany looked over and said, “Look at that smile.” It’s a good day for that smile. The guys told Kingston how good and strong he looked, and as they prepared to leave, he mentioned how much he wanted to come see them play.

“He begs to go to Penguins games every day. He is obsessed” Brittany said of her son, who never misses one. “But he can’t go (Wednesday). You’ll always be there, man!

“I hope you recover quickly!” » Karlsson said. “See you at the games!” » » adds Jarry. “I will listen to you. Make sure you’re nice and loud! »

“Let’s go, pens!” » Malkin – Kingston’s second favorite player – said with a smile as they left the room, located on the hematology-oncology floor, intended for children suffering from blood diseases and cancer. This year’s visit was part of the Penguins’ efforts for the NHL’s “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative, which takes place in November.

Players wore purple Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys, which will be autographed and auctioned (more details to be provided later). The Penguins Foundation will donate proceeds to support cancer programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“I think we all have people who have been touched by cancer, and the more awareness we can raise, the better,” Sidney Crosby said. “Being here and seeing for ourselves what the kids are facing, how strong they are and the fight they’re going through, we want to help them in any way we can. Whether it’s being here or raising awareness, that’s why we’re here.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for the same reason, and his path crossed with a group of Penguins during the afternoon. “This has never happened to me! » Wilson said in his first season with the Steelers. “As much as I have been to many venues, I have never seen two different teams from the same city in the same room.”