It's the moment that every kid who grows up playing hockey dreams about: Playing in the NHL.

For goaltender Yaniv Perets, that dream became a reality Monday evening at PNC Arena as he entered the game in relief for Antti Raanta in the third period.

"It was definitely a pretty special moment," Perets said. "I don't really have words. I just kind of want to call my parents or something and say thanks and stuff."

After winning the NCAA Championship with the Quinnipiac Bobcats last season, Perets signed a two-year ELC with the Canes. 

Since then, he's been playing in the ECHL with the Norfolk Admirals, but due to Carolina's goaltending situation, he's found himself on an NHL roster.

And let me tell you, it's quite a leap from the ECHL to the NHL.

Perets only faced a single shot in 12:46 of ice time, but it was certainly a dandy.

Pierre-Luc Dubois came in down the wing on an odd-man rush and Perets stoned him.

"Made a heck-of-a-save," said Jordan Martinook. "Good for him and congratulations. You want to be in a win in that moment, but it's just cool for him to get his feet wet and that was a heck of a save."

Despite the team's eventual 5-2 loss, the moment is one that Perets will certainly never forget.

"It's all just kind of a blur," Perets said. "Just had a smile on my face looking up at the stands and seeing the beautiful crowd and the beautiful atmosphere. It's just the moment you dream of as a kid. For me just walking in there it was like, 'Okay, let's go!' That was pretty much it for me. 

"I just appreciate the opportunity and I'm forever grateful and thankful for the Carolina organization and all the players in the room here. It just means the world to me and I'm just so thankful for the opportunity. Whatever it is, you take it and I'm just so grateful to have been there. So I can't thank them enough, my family, I can't thank them enough and all my loved ones."