If you don’t know the story of Sam Tageson and Hayden Bradley; two Make-A-Wish kids who earned limited contracts with the San Jose Sharks, they are worth looking up.  Upper Deck produced Young Guns rookie cards for each athlete under part of the company’s Heroic Inspirations program. The cards were used to help Make-A-Wish and the Shark’s Foundation.

With the NHL All-Star Game heading to San Jose, we reached out to both to see if they would be open to doing an autograph signing to benefit the Shark’s Foundation. Both agreed and we were happy to host them. Sam and Hayden were more than excited to greet fans during the festivities and sign autographed versions of their Upper Deck Young Guns rookie cards.

After the signing, Upper Deck walked them through the company’s personalized trading card program so they could have a keepsake from the weekend.

Then Upper Deck staff were able to get them a special audience with Lord Stanley’s Cup. And they were all smiles!

It was great to celebrate the courage of these two youngsters and see them doing so well! Look for more amazing moments in the years to come through the Heroic Inspirations program from Upper Deck.