A First Nations young female hockey player bears the Toronto Maple Leafs’ flag before playoff game
Madison Maness had the chance to do something not many people get to do.
The 12-year-old girl from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia carried out the Toronto Maple Leafs’ flag Wednesday night before their playoff game against the Boston Bruins in Toronto.
Madison’s mother Stephanie said her daughter has been playing hockey for as long as she’s been walking. She participates in a First Nations hockey tournament in Toronto, playing for the First Nation where she is from, Aamjiwanaang.
Through that tournament, she was scouted as a flag carrier for a Toronto Maple Leafs playoff hockey game.
“She was a little hesitant, she was a little nervous at first, but I was like, ‘This is an opportunity that we’re not going to pass up,’” said Stephanie.
Upon arrival at the Scotiabank Arena Wednesday night, Madison said she was nervous, “My heart was beating really fast,” said the sixth grader, who was able to get over her jitters by game time.
12-year-old Madison Maness was the flag carrier at Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff game against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Arena on April 25, 2024. (Photos courtesy of Jamie and Stephanie Maness)
“Skating out was really fun. The ice was so smooth and so big. The crowd, I didn’t even know they were there, like, I was like so focused on skating around that I was not nervous at all, and that was my favourite part,” explained Madison.
She was able to high-five the players and watch the game with her family. Something they say they’ll never forget.
“The whole community has been really supportive, they’ve been bragging and cheering Maddie on, and that’s been really awesome,” said Stephanie.
The Boston Bruins took game three by a 4-2 win over the Leafs.
12-year-old Madison Maness was the flag carrier at Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff game against the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Arena on April 25, 2024. (Photos courtesy of Jamie and Stephanie Maness)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.