The argument that hockey players are the best people on the planet is subjective; however, once in a while you come across a story that puts things into perspective and makes you realize that, in fact, it's quite possibly true.
Take, for instance, Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Nikita Grebyonkin, who recently won the KHL's Gagarin Cup with Magnitogorsk Metallurg. Grebyonkin expressed that he will not have his day with the Cup as is commonplace, but he will send it to his hometown of Serov so that the kids where he grew up can see it and dream about what they can achieve being born in a small town.
What is apparent is that Grebyonkin is doing what he can to get ready for his opportunity in Canada, but he also believes that with the winning of the Cup in Russia, it's important to show the next generation what is possible if you believe in yourself and put in the work.
In 2024, even if their are athletes who live by this philosophy, it's not shared nearly enough. Let's give praise where praise is due to Grebyonkin. He remembers where he came from. He recognizes he's had this dream he's currently living since he was a child and has made a point of doing what he can to inspire the next generation.
