Back in November 2019, the Arizona Coyotes signed then-8-year-old Leighton Accardo to an honorary contract.
Saturday afternoon, she became a Coyote for eternity.
In a brief but emotion-filled pregame ceremony at Gila River Arena, the Coyotes inducted young Leighton, who died after a long battle with cancer last November, into their Ring of Honor.
Her youth hockey jersey number, 49, along with her last name, adorned a white-and-lavender sign that was unveiled right next to Coyotes legend Jeremy Roenick’s No. 97 in the Ring of Honor high above the ice. Accardo’s parents and siblings watched from a suite with tears in their eyes as the banner was revealed, to a standing ovation from the Coyotes players on their bench and the fans in attendance.