Donovan Sebrango, a 23-year-old defense prospect, made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators against the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. The journey to the NHL was long for Sebrango as the 2020 third-round draft pick, originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, had spent parts of five seasons in the AHL and ECHL before finally getting his chance with the Sens.
The night was made even more special due to the legendary goal-scorer on the other side of the rink.
"I think growing up, that's my favorite player," Sebrango said of Alex Ovechkin. "So I mean, getting to be on the ice with him. I mean, that's something somebody dreams of. It was a great honor. Players dream of this moment."
Sebrango played 11:38 of ice time in the game, sharing the ice with Ovechkin for 1:37 of that game action. The rookie's stat sheet finished empty outside of two shot attempts. Despite the Senators losing 1-0 in overtime, due to Ovechkin's 874th career goal, Sebrango couldn't help but smile as he answered questions in Ottawa's locker room.
"That's one I'm going to remember for sure," Sebrango said. "That's what I dreamt of as a kid, so it means the world to me that I got to do that."
Sebrango's mom, Kim, was in attendance for his debut and went viral for her reaction to his rookie lap.
As Sebrango skated circles around Ottawa's zone, Kim could be seen getting emotional while cheering, whistling, banging the glass, and clapping next to her daughter, Gabby, and Donovan's girlfriend, Nadia. Her son even tossed her a warmup puck.
"I can't even tell you how many ugly tears I shed, and it was so unbelievable," Kim told TSN's Claire Hanna. "To think that that moment happened here is one of the greatest moments of my life. I don't even know how to put it into words."
Kim raised her two children alone after getting a divorce from their father, Eduardo Sebrango, when Donovan was a toddler. Eduardo is of Cuban descent and is currently an assistant coach for the MLS's CF Montreal. He played professional soccer for over two decades in Cuba, Canada, and the United States.
Kim is also professionally connected to sports. In 2003 and 2004, she served as an administrative manager for Canada Soccer's women's national program and was part of the nation's staff for their appearance in the 2003 World Cup.
"I mean, a single mom having to kind of teach me the ways of hockey and bringing me into the sport - that lap was for her," Sebrango said. "Everything tonight was for her.
"She's the reason I'm here," he added. "To get her in the building is something special and probably the best day of my life so far. Just a special moment, and it's all because of her."
Sebrango was fully aware of where his mom was seated for the lap, revealing he told himself, "Don't fall. Just don't fall, take it all in, look up, and find your mom."