Blues' Allen thanks young fan who wrote letter of support during slump
Jake Allen took some time to thank one of his biggest supporters.
Mired in a tough stretch of play earlier this season, the St. Louis Blues goaltender saw a letter of encouragement written by a young fan that was posted on Twitter last month:
@34jallen @StLouisBlues from one of your biggest fans.....#letsgoblues pic.twitter.com/KjekT3aWZK
— Scott (@11CoachG) January 31, 2017
The letter, penned by 5-year-old Mason Gilbert, reads as follows:
Dear Jake Allen, you are my favorite player. I hope you win tonight. I know you can do it. You're a great goalie. Love, Mason. I'm five years old.
On Monday, Allen invited Mason to practice, after which he signed a stick and a jersey, thanked the boy for the message, and told him he had also sent him something in the mail.
Mason also presented Allen with the letter of encouragement.
Mason's letter of encouragement to @34jallen worked and today, he got to meet his favorite player in person! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/NQ2gYxSPmR
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 13, 2017
"That's what it's all about," Allen said, according to Lou Korac of NHL.com. "Any time you can make a kid's day, it's a no-brainer. It doesn't matter what the situation is, when it is, where it is. As soon as I saw him this morning, it put a smile on my face and a smile on his. I'm glad I got to speak to him after."
Since seeing Mason's letter, Allen has posted a record of 4-1-0 and was named the NHL's second star of the week, so he may want to buy the family tickets for the balance of the season.