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Hawks Stanley Cup Memorabilia Given to Lincoln Park Teen Chasing NHL Dream

By Justin Breen | October 8, 2014 7:15am

LINCOLN PARK — Hockey standout Ian Beck received an unexpected present during his Tuesday lunch break from Lincoln Park High School.

The Upper Deck Company sent the 16-year-old junior — who makes a four-hour, round-trip commute several times a week to chase his hockey dreams — and his mother, Cynthia, a package featuring several unique collectibles. The memorabilia features a metal tub used to chill beverages consumed by the Blackhawks after winning the 2013 Stanley Cup, a hat autographed by last year's No. 1 overall NHL draft pick Nathan MacKinnon and several Upper Deck T-shirts and trading cards.

"It was meaningful and overwhelming," said Beck, a defenseman who drives two hours each way to practice and play for the Milwaukee Junior Admirals, who are based in suburban Milwaukee.

 Lincoln Park High School junior Ian Beck holds up a pair of Upper Deck T-shirts Tuesday at his Lincoln Park home.
Lincoln Park High School junior Ian Beck holds up a pair of Upper Deck T-shirts Tuesday at his Lincoln Park home.
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Cynthia Beck

"I'm getting recognized for all the hard work I've put in these past 10 years, and this makes me feel way more confident," Beck said.

Justin Breen details Ian's long commute to chase a dream:

The gift, which was also addressed to Cynthia Beck for her dedication as a hockey mom, is part of Upper Deck's Random Acts of Kindness program. The program was created in March as part of the company's 25-year anniversary. An Upper Deck social media committee member saw a previous DNAinfo Chicago story on Beck and decided he and his mother would be fitting beneficiaries of the care package.

"We hope some of the things we included will help provide inspiration to Ian to keep working toward his goal," said Chris Carlin, Upper Deck's marketing and social media manager.

"It is truly inspirational," Carlin said of the Becks' story. "Hockey moms like Cynthia sacrifice a lot to help their children have a chance at success. And Ian is sacrificing a lot to chase his dream. We think they are both deserving of a little recognition."

Cynthia Beck said her son "feels a lot of gratitude right now." Ian, who had to go back to school Tuesday afternoon, said he wasn't sure what he would do with the memorabilia.

"It just means a lot, more than anything I could ever ask for," he said.

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