‘Dreams do come true’: Sask. Habs fan’s lifelong wish fulfilled

Warman, Sask. — There’s a quiet strength about Kelly McCrea. If you were to meet him today, you might notice the weariness in his eyes — a reflection of the grueling chemotherapy treatments he’s endured for the past five years.

But there’s something else that stands out too: his spirit. It’s the kind of spark that can only be fueled by the realization of a dream that, for a long time, seemed impossible.

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Listen to McCrea on Behind the Headlines:

With a nostalgic smile, McCrea leaned back on the couch in his Warman home, proudly wearing his Montréal Canadiens hat and tee shirt. “I’ve been a Habs fan since I was maybe eight or nine years old,” he said, his voice filled with affection. “I grew up watching them and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m 60 years old now, so I’ve been through the really good times and the really bad times with them.”

Kelly McCrea has been a fan of the Montréal Canadiens for decades. In the midst of a battle with stage four cancer, he never imagined he would make it to the Bell Centre in Montréal to cheer his team on in person. (Submitted)

Despite decades of loyalty, the opportunity to see his favourite team play in Montréal had always eluded him. He had attended games in other venues closer to home, but for this loyal fan, it just wasn’t the same. His heart always longed to sit in the Bell Centre, to feel the electrifying atmosphere that only a Canadiens game in Montréal could provide.

That dream, though, seemed distant — until one fateful day, when it suddenly began to take shape.

It was a year ago when two of McCrea’s good friends visited him. They asked him a simple but powerful question: “What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?”

Without hesitation, McCrea answered, “To go see my Montréal Canadiens play in Montréal.”

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

Support poured in from McCrea’s family and friends, all overjoyed at the opportunity to contribute to making his wish come true.

Kelly McCrea and his friend Colin Anderson were in the stands at the Bell Centre on Jan. 11 as the Montréal Canadiens took on the Dallas Stars. “A game in Montréal on a Saturday night! It’s known as the holy grail,” McCrea said. (Submitted)

One friend covered the cost of his airfare. Another, the hotel room. A third paid for the tickets to the game. Yet another friend arranged a VIP tour of the Bell Centre. And then, McCrea’s two older sisters took matters into their own hands, sending out an email to his extended family. Within days, they had raised over $2,000, ensuring McCrea had spending money for his trip.

The outpouring of generosity left McCrea humbled and overwhelmed. “In today’s world, all we hear is negative stuff,” he reflected, his voice thick with emotion. “And I really believe the world needs to hear some positive stories. Stories that give you hope, that make you go, ‘You know what? There are still decent people in this world.’ No matter what’s going on in this crazy world, there’s still hope.”

McCrea said he has been a fan of the Montréal Canadiens since childhood. He’s supported the team through the highs and the lows — both in hockey and in life. Even through 65 rounds of chemotherapy, his passion for the team has never wavered. (Submitted)

McCrea said the support received was something he’ll never forget, especially in light of the personal battles he’s been facing. Diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in early 2020, his journey has been filled with tough moments. After surgery to remove part of his colon and several lymph nodes, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver, and spine. The road ahead has seemed uncertain at best, but McCrea has remained steadfast, buoyed by the love and support of those around him.

And then came the trip. McCrea could hardly believe it as he sat in his seat at the Bell Centre, surrounded by the atmosphere that he had imagined for so long. The energy, the history… it was everything he had hoped for.

McCrea said one of his favourite moments on Jan. 11 was sitting and looking up at the many banners hanging from the ceiling of the Bell Centre. (Submitted)

“My favourite part was sitting in that seat, taking in the atmosphere and looking up at that ceiling,” McCrea said, a soft smile on his face. “Seeing all the Stanley Cup banners and the retired numbers of the players I grew up watching. To see that live… it was overwhelming. The game itself was great. A game in Montréal on a Saturday night! It’s known as the holy grail.”

But the most unforgettable moment came during the second intermission of the game. When the scoreboard lit up, McCrea could hardly believe his eyes. It read: “Dreams do come true. Welcome Kelly McCrea, lifelong Habs fan from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.”

McCrea said he was overcome with emotion when he looked up during the second intermission and saw his name on the giant screen. (Submitted)

The floodgates opened. McCrea, overcome with emotion, couldn’t hold back the tears. “I gotta admit, I bawled like a baby. I had to keep pinching myself,” he recalled, his voice choked with the memory. “I just couldn’t believe this was happening. That I’m here, that my dream came true and it was all because of my family and my friends.”

For McCrea, the battle with cancer is far from over. But in his heart, the memory of that night in Montréal will forever serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there are still dreams worth pursuing and people who will stand by you no matter what.

“It gives you such a kick of positivity,” McCrea reflected, the sparkle in his eye brighter than ever as he recalled the once-in-a-lifetime experience. “It’s just something I’ll never forget. There’s nothing like your dream coming true.”

In the midst of a gruelling battle with stage four cancer, Kelly McCrea’s dream to see the Montréal Canadiens play in their home arena seemed impossible. When McCrea’s friends and family heard his wish, they rallied together, making the impossible happen and sending him to a game at the Bell Centre earlier this month. (Submitted)