Saint John man gets thrill of a lifteme singing anthem at Calgary Flames game
Whether he's behind the hood of a vehicle at his auto shop, or behind the wheel, you're likely to hear Dan Joyce singing.
It's a passion he's become known for in Saint John over the years, with plenty of performances at local sports games.
When he's not singing, though, you might find him cheering on his favourite hockey team – the Calgary Flames – a team that recently helped his dream become a reality by inviting him to come and sing the national anthem live at the Saddledome.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling when you step out on the ice," says Joyce, "and I know the rink holds 18,300 people, I don't know how many people were there exactly but I couldn't see an empty seat – it was packed."
It was after he suffered a health setback – with the diagnosis of cancer of the esophagus – that his oldest son reached out to the team.
Joyce says at the time no one was allowed inside of the rink, so he ended up recording a video of him singing the national anthem at TD Station in Saint John.
"They played it at an NHL game … and it went over really well," says Joyce.
"George Canyon called me right after the showing and he said, 'listen, we loved it here, it was great – we want you to come back next year when the rink has people in it and you're feeling better, we'd like to get you to do it live right here at the Saddledome'."
In early November of this year, he was able to fly out to Calgary with his family and do exactly that – and was given a warm welcome by the audience.
"When I stepped on the ice, they screamed my name, they almost took the roof of the place," says Joyce.
"And as soon as I started to sing the anthem it was dead silent, it was just as quiet as a church and that lasted until I almost finished the last note of the anthem and the place just erupted again."
A dream come true for this Saint Johner and a once in a lifetime experience that he won't soon forget.
"There's always a silver lining in everything that happens to me," says Joyce, "so yeah, I'm a pretty lucky guy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.