Kayleigh Petersen became the first female ever to a sign a one-day contract with the Rangers on Thursday, but her 4:15 p.m. press conference at the Garden represented much more than the normal player pact.
Petersen, a 7-year-old "free agent" from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, was signed to be the star of a heartwarming Garden of Dreams Night. In other words, her dreams came true.
The Blueshirts sent out a release that Petersen had been scouted during her House Mite League games this season, where she demonstrated that she deserved the contract.
"She has tremendous skills and we felt her strength and character are through the roof," said all-time good guy and Rangers legend Adam Graves, now with the hockey operations department.