A Canadian boy who got attention for giving a passionate hockey speech before the match got Ellen DeGeneres to tears during a performance on her talk show.
Callan Perks, from Lakefield, Ont., Won the opportunity in November to give the speech before the game to his hometown OHL team Peterborough Petes.
He was selected by the team as part of their ‘Next Gen’ day, where children sign one-day contracts to see what it’s like to be part of a professional hockey league.
The pre-game speech to his hockey idols garnered hundreds of thousands of views online – and even garnered attention from The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The seven-year-old was given the opportunity to fly to California to perform in Wednesday’s episode.
Dressed in suits and ties, Cal gave a passionate speech to DeGeneres, who is currently recording his farewell season of the popular talk show.
“In 19 seasons, you’ve given everything on this stage,” Cal said. “You danced hard. You joked hard. You laughed hard. You cried hard and you gave hard. So when it’s time to say goodbye and turn off the light, just remember, you, Ellen, will always get ‘W’ a ‘because you have always given what it takes to be you. “
“So keep working hard and stay positive and make people laugh because you are a legend.”
Cal received a standing ovation from the audience for his speech, and DeGeneres was brought to tears.
“You know what? I have to say, I know a lot of smart people,” DeGeneres told Cal. “What you just said to me means more to me than what I can convey to you at all. I do not even know you, but you are just a special little creature with such a big heart, and I thank you for that. “
DeGeneres gave Cal a personal training suit, clipboard and megaphone for his future speeches.
“I think you will continue to do great, great things my husband,” DeGeneres said. “You’re cute.”
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