Friendships can blossom out of the most innocent of exchanges.

For one such friendship between the Newfoundland Growlers’ Todd Skirving and a five-year-old hockey fan in Worcester, Massachusetts, it started with a puck.

Skirving always tries to give away a couple of pucks every game to young fans in the arena. It’s something he tends to do a bit more when he’s on the road.

It’s a part of giving back and something his parents taught him. It’s part of what has endeared him to Growlers fan in St. John’s and beyond.

“When I was a kid, I was standing at the glass looking for autographs, just trying to create that interaction with a player when I was young,” said Skirving. “So now I try to do it as much as I can just to make someone’s day.”

During a road trip last December, the 30-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., was giving some pucks away when he gave one to five-year-old Buck Feeley ahead of a game with the Worcester Railers.

After that game, Buck’s parents posted a photo of their son with Skirving, and the Growler replied to the post. After connecting, the Feeleys were at the game the next night.

A new Growlers fan was born. His parents quickly bought him some team swag and Buck even wears his Growlers gear to school.

“Now his parents are always telling me how excited he is for us to come to town,” said Skirving.

Becoming a fan

Buck’s dad, Corey, said his son enjoys watching all kinds of hockey.

Even before finding a friend in Skirving, any time a game was on television, Buck would be right there enjoying the action on the screen.

Since that chance meeting, Corey says, his son’s love for the game as blossomed even more.

“Since meeting Todd, he has definitely become more invested in watching and he has watched a few games on the laptop,” he said.

For Buck, his love for Skirving and the Growlers is rather simple.

“Todd is nice and the Growlers have a puppy on their shirt,” he said. “I really like the doggy and I have a shirt that says Growlers vs Everybody.”

Looking for each other

Last weekend, the Growlers were back in Worcester for a two-game set with the Railers.

Before the first game March 3, Buck posted a video welcoming his favourite player to Worcester while wearing his “Growlers vs Everybody” sweater and a team toque.

He was also in the building to watch Skirving score a couple of goals in the series.

“I always jokingly go by him sometimes and tell him to touch my stick for good luck or just give him a little wave,” said Skirving. “He’s always down there at the tunnel early. They were good luck for us last game and it was nice to put a couple in for of them.”

The Growlers (38-16-1) are back in St. John’s for a six-game homestand starting on Friday, March 10. First, Newfoundland will welcome Eastern Conference rivals the Reading Royals (31-20-3) to town, followed by a date with the Adirondack Thunder (21-25-7-1).

They’re big games, especially with the playoffs quickly approaching.

“Now we’re pushing for the playoffs, so taking care of home ice all these games are important,” said Skirving. “They’re playoff-type games, and it’s just trying to find a way to play the right way down the stretch here to gear up to put ourselves in position to hopefully make a long Kelly Cup run.

“Hopefully, we’re also getting that home ice advantage too.”