8-Year-Old Boy Knocks Out His Cancer, Then An NHL Player (VIDEO)

On Friday night, Washington Capitals' rookie Tom Wilson fought Toronto Maple Leafs' Carter Ashton. The next morning, Wilson dropped the gloves with 8-year-old Braden Nienaber.

Nienaber got to practice with his favorite hockey team as part of his involvement with the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, but he didn't stop at a few stick moves and shots on goal.

Nienaber's sister Cassandra encouraged him to get physical with Wilson from behind the glass at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, according to Comcast SportsNet Washington.

The result? A knockout punch for the little guy.

Nienaber's story makes this the sweetest swing to date. When he was 4 years old, a tumor developed on his forehead and was eventually removed by plastic surgeons. Nienaber was later diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a disease which causes white blood cells to multiply too quickly and damages bones and organs, CBS Sports reports.

Six months of chemotherapy and two years of symptom-free life later, Nienaber's family is glad to have their little slugger back in good health.