SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — For the more than 17,000 fans who saw the San Jose Sharks win an overtime thriller over the Winnipeg Jets on March 1, most will remember the Michael Misa game-winning goal. But for 5-year-old Sharks superfan Kane Carlin, he will remember it for so much more. Back in November 2023, Kane was diagnosed with B-cell acute leukemia and after a fight spanning more than two years (800 days), Kane beat cancer and rang the bell!
“He (Kane) physically rang the bell on February 2 (2026) at the hospital,” said Cate Carlin, Kane’s mother. “That was the day he took his last oral chemo. We’ve kind of just been celebrating ever since.”
This included the Sharks game, where Kane and his family were invited after meeting Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro at several of the team’s hockey fights cancer events.
“People like Kane, inspire us to, to stay positive and, and you know, continue to appreciate what we have. And, you know, he’s a warrior,” said Ferraro.
As well as a good luck charm, Kane read the starting lineup and rang the bell in front of his favorite team.
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“We didn’t find out he was reading the starting lineup until maybe two seconds before we walked in,” said Nick Carlin, Kane’s father. “So, the head coach brought out the list and was like you are going to read this and I was like oh, oh, that’s happening.”
“I think his dad was more nervous than he was,” said Ferraro.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky was inspired by the young Sharks fan.
“You know, reads the lineup. But him ringing the bell, you know, you get goosebumps,” said Warsofsky. You know, I said I think he’s a lot tougher than, than a lot of those hockey players in that dressing room that night.”
Ferraro thought Kane brought an amazing energy to his lineup read and said that he end his teammates, were saying that Kane’s starting lineup read was one of the best of the season. After the big win, Mario gifted Kane a hockey stick.
“He (Mario) uses each stick in the game and then he gives it to each of the (cancer) Warriors after the game,” said Kane Carlin. “Thanks for inviting me to the Sharks game. Thank you for letting me sit in the seats and well it was kind of like the best day of my life for me.”
Kane’s parents were grateful for the opportunity to see their son step in front of the team and not only read the lineup but ring the bell.
“Just how special that is, that we are just so appreciative they are that they take that time,” said Cate Carlin. “It might have just been such a really small part of their day but it made such a huge impact to Kane. It was a really, really special day for us.”
For more info on Cate’s Fundraiser with Blood Cancer United, visit here.
For more info on Kane’s great adventure, visit here.
For more info on the Sharks Foundation, visit here.
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