BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Ten year old Landon Whalen loves hockey. After a long delay due to COVID-19, Landon, a goalie, was excited to get back on the ice.
"It was different because I'm used to playing every week, four times a week," Landon said.
On Sunday, Landon and his dad Matt realized a return to the rink wasn't going to happen. Someone stole all of his hockey gear from his family’s garage in Clarence. So, Matt took to Facebook.
"Just to say, hey look, if this gear pops up on market place let us know," Whalen said.
That post, shared hundreds of times, would wind up in the eyes of Cory Mickey, owner of player development company 3D Hockey.
"We kind of have our own little team so regardless of the jersey we're all a team so this is what it represents," Mickey said.
He wanted to help get Landon new gear, and after starting a GoFundMe, many reached out.
"I reached out to Cory and said what can i do to help?" Attorney John Fromen said, "(Cory) said he had a GoFundMe and I said to forget it, I'll pay for it myself."
Ultimately, Front Row Sports in West Seneca gave Mickey a call. They brought Landon in for all new equipment. Just a few days after shock and heartbreak, Landon was treated like a pro, tricked out head to toe in new gear.
"Shows what a close knit hockey community we have in Western New York," Fromen said.
