The Youngest Yellow Jacket

Xavier Pereira may be short in stature, but to the members of American International College’s Division I men’s hockey team, he stands tall.

So much so that the team invited the 5-year-old Ludlow boy to become one of them. And on Wednesday night, Xavier officially joined the team during a special ceremony at the AIC Henry A. Butova Gymnasium’s Hall of Fame Room.

Xavier was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia just two months shy of his third birthday. The illness was caught early and Xavier is doing very well. Xavier’s family became affiliated with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Team IMPACT children are drafted into local college athletic teams and, to the greatest extent possible, become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond.

You can see highlights of the celebration covered by local media outlets by clicking on the links below.

Ludlow 5-year-old Xavier Pereria ‘officially’ joins AIC men’s hockey team following battle with cancer

5 year old becomes the youngest Yellow Jacket

While team captain Bryant Christian says that Xavier is the heart and soul of the team, there is no question, men’s ice hockey is a team with heart!