After a six-year battle with leukemia, Hayden Foulon, who had become close with Toronto Maple Leafs star player Mitch Marner, has died. Her family shared the news on social media Monday saying "we are broken-hearted to share that our sweet Hayden passed away last night."
Marner had become friends with young Hayden before he even made it to the NHL. He would visit her in hospital when he was still playing with the London Knights of the OHL.
"Me and [Christian] Dvorak used to go to hospital visits once or twice a week. We would try to put smiles on her face and those kids leave an impression on you as well," Marner said, speaking to TSN's Mark Masters.
Marner had kept in contact with Hayden and her family over the years, sending her gifts for her birthday and inviting her family to host an event put on by his charity. Hayden, who was seven at the time of her death, got a chance to see Marner play at last year's home opener against the Montreal Canadians.
Marner responded to Hayden's death on Twitter saying: "it breaks my heart to know I'll never be able to see you again. How you fought your battles always inspired me, you were my hero. I know you'll be watching me from up above. I'll miss you."
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