He wants to be a trailblazer, paving the way for another generation who will think nothing of a “little person” blocking shot after shot from veteran NHL marksmen like Alexander Ovechkin and Sydney Crosby...perhaps even one day hoisting the venerable Stanley Cup for the victory skate around the rink.

Blake, 10, lives and breathes hockey. He and his buddies routinely tug the net from the garage, grab their hockey sticks after school, have some fun and hone their skills.

On most winter weekends, Blake dons his goalie pads to defend the net for the Dundas Minor Hockey Association’s Oak Gables Atom House League team. And in the summer, the Dundas youngster perfects his skating skills through the Can/Am hockey camp.

If he’s not playing hockey, Blake’s in front of the TV with dad watching the sport. Steve’s an unfulfilled Maple Leafs fan; Blake prefers the Washington Capitals with its star Soviet player, the hard-hitting Ovechkin.

With hockey so much a part of his life and an unwavering drive to succeed, it’s not so very hard to believe that Blake will achieve his dream to become a first in history — just like Canada’s first female prime minister, the first modern-era African American to play in the Major Leagues and the first U. S. Irish-Catholic president.

“I just need to work hard, listen to my coaches and achieve my goals,” said Blake. “I really like goalie, and when I play (ice) hockey again next year, I want to be the full-time goalie, and eventually the first dwarf to be in the NHL. That’s it.”

Blake’s mom, Tamara, bought her son his first pair of goalie pads after Blake started playing street hockey with his friends.

Three years ago, he carried his interest in the sport onto the ice at J. L. Grightmire Arena. Tamara picked the smallest Nike/Bauer pads she could find at National Sports, but they were still huge on Blake.

The attentive and supportive staff at Kenesky Sports cut down the pads and totally remade them to fit Blake’s small frame.

And while the Grade 5 Dundana School student continues to work on his hockey skills, his story is being told as part of a sensitively written and stunningly illustrated new book about children with differences.

Half of Me, An Odyssey of Understanding by Caledonia resident William J. Bart is the story of an eight-year-old boy who develops a unique and perceptive understanding of what it’s like to be physically challenged.

Written in a poetic style, Half of Me teaches children about humility, respect for others, tolerance, understanding and compassion

Bart has been a graphic artist, illustrator and photographer for more than 40 years. Except for Blake and a Burlington youngster, all of the characters in Half of Me are fictional.

Tamara said the author approached the Sloans about including Blake in his book a year ago. He had learned about Blake and his passion for hockey from Blake’s grandad Bob, a Dunnville resident who can sometimes be heard boasting about his young grandson. The Sloans didn’t hesitate in agreeing to have Blake featured in the book.

“The more people out there who are aware of children with differences, the better,”said Tamara.

Blake’s story appears opposite a full-colour sketch of the young netminder in his familiar position between the goalie posts.

The accompanying text reads,

“...but in front of me in goal was Blake,

a dwarf, he and his friends the same,

it was from birth Blake’s given form

but he never suffers any harm,

He seems so happy -does not mourn

his shortness of both leg and arm.

His joyful smile and keen delight

would seem befitting someone else.

so heightened are his joy and light

they tower above his physical self.”

Blake said it’s “exciting” to be part a book that carries an important lesson for children and adults alike.

“The message is that it doesn’t matter who is different, or if someone acts weird, or is smaller or taller, they are the same and as important as you,” said Blake.

For more information or to order a copy of Half of Me, An Odyssey of Understanding, visit www.borealispress.com .