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Stroke survivor Jordan Chaulk meets Pittsburgh hockey hero

Just like his favourite NHLer, Jordan Chaulk recovered from a stroke to lace up his skates again. This weekend, Chaulk met Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.

Chaulk, 19, spent weekend in Pittsburgh watching NHL hockey

Jordan Chaulk, dressed in a yellow Penguins jersey, poses for a photo with Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fluery and Kris Letang. (Submitted by Douglas Chaulk)

Just like his favourite NHLer, 19-year-old Jordan Chaulk's hockey future was put in doubt when he suffered a stroke in 2014.

And just like Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang, Chaulk worked through the rehabilitation of his injury to return to the ice. 

This weekend, Chaulk met Letang and other members of the Pittsburgh Penguins on a trip to the city with his family. The "dream" trip was sponsored by the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.

Matt Chaulk, Jordan Chaulk, Leah Chaulk and Doug Chaulk pose for a photo in the St. John's Airport before their trip to Pittsburgh. (Submitted by Leah Chaulk)

"That was a very special moment for me, I think," Chaulk told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show from Pittsburgh.

Chaulk said he liked Letang even before he went through his health problems, but the strokes that both men suffered means the pair has even more in common.

"I was a defenceman and I liked the way he played, and I don't know it just kind of went on from there." 

Chaulk had his jersey signed by his hockey heros. (Submitted by Leah Chaulk)

According to Chaulk's mom, Letang spent an hour talking with the family, and giving them a tour of the PPG Paints Arena and the Penguin's dressing room.

Leah Chaulk says the two players spoke about their strokes, and said Letang was very comfortable speaking about his own injury scare.

In 2014, Jordan Chaulk suffered a stroke while he was playing hockey, and collapsed on the ice.

Chaulk needed the help of a wheelchair after the stroke, but the Sunshine Foundation says he has regained 90 per cent of his mobility on his left side.

Since the scary incident, Chaulk has graduated high school, attended prom and returned to the ice at a charity hockey tournament.