Prince George to celebrate life of 3-year-old hockey superfan at local arena

Prince George residents will come together Saturday to celebrate the life of three-year-old Mavrik Turnbull at a special public ceremony held at the CN Centre arena. 

Diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, a month after he turned two, Mavrik's 21-month cancer battle drew the attention of the hockey community throughout B.C. and beyond. 

"Hockey was everything to him," said his dad Derek Turnbull. "The arena was home. No matter which arena it was, that's where he felt the safest."

Mavrik's cancer began in his abdomen, forming a large tumour. He then faced multiple rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, as well as countless blood transfusions and other procedures. 

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His family says when he was airlifted from Prince George to Vancouver for treatment, he brought his hockey sticks for support and fought through the difficult moments by playing and watching hockey. 

Many hockey organizations rallied around the young superfan during his cancer journey, including local BCHL team the Prince George Spruce Kings and WHL team the Prince George Cougars. 

When Mavrik was moved to the Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Vancouver on June 11 following a decline in his condition, he was visited by Chicago Blackhawks player Connor Bedard and Fraser Minten of the Boston Bruins. 

Numerous others players also went to see him, including Zachary Benson of the Buffalo Sabres, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks and Jennifer Gardiner of the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

"His sheer love for the game is what drew people to him. He was just such a good soul that people really rallied around that and supported him," said Turnbull. "He brought a whole world together." 

Mavri