Seattle Kraken fan may have saved the life of Canucks equipment manager.

I have a truly amazing story to share with you tonight, one that you could genuinely consider to be life changing for a number of individuals.

Recently during a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Seattle Kraken, one particularly observant fan noticed a growth on the back  of the neck that belongs to Vancouver Canucks equipment manager Brian "Red" Hamilton. Although it would normally be considered rude to point out something unflattering about a total stranger, the fan in question was concerned that this growth was an early sign of skin cancer. So, despite what must have be a very awkward situation, she decided to share her thoughts with Hamilton and let him know about her concerns.

In the time that has passed between that game and now, Hamilton would consult with his wife and went to see a doctor who was able to confirm that the fan's guess has been correct and has now had the growth surgically removed. On Saturday Brian and the Canucks made a valiant attempt at reaching out to the young woman that may have saved his life, using the power of the Canucks social media platform.

Here was the message from Brian and the Canucks, unedited and in full:

My name is Brian “Red” Hamilton and I am the assistant equipment manager for the Vancouver Canucks. I am trying to find a very special person and I need the hockey community’s help. To this woman I am trying to find, you changed my life, and now I want to find you to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Problem is, I don’t know who you are or where you are from. I do know that you were sitting behind the Canucks bench the night the Seattle Kraken played their first ever home game. That evening, Oct 23rd, and the message you showed me on your cell phone will forever be etched into my brain and has made a true life-changing difference for me and my family. Your instincts were right and that mole on the back of my neck was a malignant melanoma and thanks to your persistence and the quick work of our doctors, it is now gone.

I want you all to know that this isn’t about me. It’s about an incredible person taking the time to notice something concerning and then finding a way to point it out during the chaos of a hockey game. Going to great lengths to get my attention from the stands while I did my job on the Canucks bench. We are looking for this incredible person and we need you to share this with your friends and families to help us find a real life hero, so I can express my sincerest gratitude.

For me the key word in this statement is "family." Not only did this sharp eyed fan potentially save Brian's life, but she also may have saved his family from a tremendous amount of pain and suffering. This in my eyes makes her a genuine hero, and I am happy to report that she has now been identified as Seattle Kraken season ticket holder Nadia Popovici.

I am even happier to report that Nadia and Brian were able to meet one another today, no doubt a very special moment for both of them considering the circumstances.

You can even see the emotional meeting between the two of them in this video courtesy of the Vancouver Canucks. Once again this really drives home the importance of family in this story, with Hamilton listing off the names of those who are likely eternally grateful to Nadia for helping a man that they hold near and dear in their hearts.

Hockey fans are the greatest, but even by that standard Nadia Popovici is clearly something special.

Update: Nadia has now been rewarded for her wonderful act of kindness.