HERSHEY, Pa. — A special bond formed in Milwaukee brought a hockey player and his number-one fan to Hershey.
Cooper Shultz, from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, last saw his favorite player, Jimmy Huntington, when he suited up for the Milwaukee Admirals last season before moving to play for the Hershey Bears.
Their special bond started in Milwaukee, where Cooper and his dad have front-row seats to Admirals games in what is now called Cooper’s Corner.
What initially started as a fist bump soon became a pre-game ritual between Jimmy and Cooper, and it would forge an unbreakable friendship.
"It was pretty instant, they gave them a fist bump a few times and it slowly graduated a little bit more," said Brad Schultz, Cooper's dad. "It was something we looked forward to every single game."
"I went to see him and I was just doing some stuff and jumping in the glass. We started to become friends, me and his dad," said Jimmy. "Meeting him again and again and again, we’re buddies."
"Jimmy is a great guy," expressed Cooper. "Jimmy is my favorite player from the Bears, I like him a lot."
However, the two were split up this past off-season when Jimmy made the move to Hershey after signing with the Bears; the newfound distance wouldn't keep the pair apart for long.
Cooper and his dad drove over 12 hours from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, to Hershey just so they could catch their favorite hockey player back in action for the first time in almost a year.
"I am going to enjoy it again with the check, punching the glass again," said Cooper. "I love him a lot."
When they finally arrived at the Giant Center on Saturday, Cooper and his family were met with greetings and warm welcomes from Bears Nation. Once Cooper was on the bench to watch the Bears warm-up, Jimmy’s teammates made sure to make him feel at home.
"It means everything, that's what Hershey Bears are right there," said Jimmy. We’re family and we welcome everyone in the family. Cooper is family."
"We were getting messages from Hershey fans we have never met before saying, ‘Welcome, we can’t wait to meet you guys,’" recalled Brad. "It really was heartwarming. They say hockey is family and it really was. They never met [or] knew anything about us, but they welcomed us with open arms."
Of course, when it came to the game Jimmy’s number-one fan had high expectations.
"We’re taking a picture and he’s like, ‘Cooper expects you to score three goals tonight,’ and I was like 'Oh yeah, I’ll try, we’ll see but I’ll try,'" said Jimmy.
Luckily for Cooper, Jimmy kept his word.
A goal, and more importantly a 4-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch, that both Cooper and Jimmy will remember forever.
"A goal and an assist? It’s almost like it was meant to be," said Brad.
"It was special. I am really happy he was here [and that I] scored a goal for him," said Jimmy. "Winning today was for him and his family."
Jimmy also received first-star honors with his 1 goal, 1 assist performance. When he returned to the ice for his curtain call he made sure to visit Cooper and cap off the special night with the pregame ritual that all began back in Milwaukee.
"It just really hits you in the heart, it’s an amazing sport. Jimmy’s an amazing guy," said Brad. "Wherever he goes, he’s just a fan favorite."
All while Jimmy thinks it's just as special to have a friend in Cooper.
"There’s more than just hockey in life [and] Cooper is just enjoying every moment right now. I am really proud that he’s here and we won for him too," said Jimmy. "It brings me back to earth. It’s a special moment and I am going to enjoy every minute of it."
A moment he was able to savor when he met with Cooper and his family after the game. He gifted his number one fan a new jersey, stick and gloves.
Along with the game memorabilia, and a tad bit of convincing from Jimmy, Bears Nation just might have a new fan in Cooper.