Sharks sign 15-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient to special contract

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The San Jose Sharks signed a five-foot-nine 130-pound fighter who is just 15-years-old. 

Hayden Bradley had open heart surgery less than a year ago. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation and the Sharks’ organization, Bradley was signed to the team. But it wasn’t just any contract. 

We’ve seen similar signings like this before – generally a one-day deal. But Bradley received a three-day contract.  Saturday he got to skate out of the famous Sharks head at the SAP Center before the team hosted two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“It was so overwhelming,” Bradley said, who plays for the junior varsity coed hockey team at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa.. “I didn’t expect this much – it’s been amazing so far.”

Bradley was born with pulmonary Artesia, which is a birth defect of the pulmonary valve in which no blood can flow from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.

He and his family will travel with the team to Anaheim when the Sharks take on the Ducks Sunday night. Bradley also got to practice with the Sharks on Friday and got to know some of the players over ping pong games. 

The young man was treated to a hockey fan’s dream weekend.