Steven Lorentz returns to the Bay Area to face the San Jose Sharks for the first time in San Jose since being traded to the Florida Panthers.

Steven Lorentz returned to the Bay Area on Tuesday to face the San Jose Sharks for the first time in San Jose since being traded to the Florida Panthers. While facing his old teammates was exciting, Lorentz got to experience a moment that goes beyond the game of hockey.

Last season, Kaley So and her mother, Lynn, went to a Sharks practice and became hooked on the sport — thanks to the kindness of Lorentz. At the time, Kaley wasn't a hockey fan and had never been to a Sharks game. 

Lorentz changed that.

After the practice, Lorentz stopped by and said hello to the So family. From that moment on, Kaley became a super fan. 

"Kaley is a little sweetheart. She would bring little and arts and crafts [from school]," Lorentz, who is now a member of the Florida Panthers, said. "She is just a very sweet little girl and such a great family. It's nice to see her down at the glass."

Lorentz also said Kaley would go home and play mini-sticks with her older brother Bradley and pretend to be the former Sharks forward.

"I'm hoping that I made an impact on that little girl's life," Lorentz said. "It makes my day seeing her at the glass with a big smile on her face and playing little games with her at the glass."

Lynn told THN earlier this week that Lorentz did make an impact on Kaley's life. She and Bradley have begun skating and will try hockey soon. 

Lorentz was only with the San Jose Sharks for one season, but it felt like more to him.

"Even just skating around the morning skate, just being in the building and being back where I bonded with new teammates and coaches last year, it brings back some good memories," Lorentz said. "I know it was only one season, but it felt like I was there a lot longer, and I made some friendships there that will last forever."

Lorentz gave Kaley his stick after the morning skate and signed it for her.

Lorentz has made a lifelong fan in Kaley. Lynn was unsure if she was going to be able to get Kaley the experience they had when Lorentz was still with the team. She told THN that she only found out the night before that she would be able to see Lorentz — this time in the opposition team's uniform.

Lynn took Kaley out of school and got to experience everything she could've wanted. 

Witnessing these two interact should fill the heart of any hockey fan. It can sometimes be forgotten that NHL players are people. Seeing Kaley put a smile on Lorentz's face that rivals Tomas Hertl's. 

Throughout the morning skate, Lorentz would interact with her, and the two would laugh through the glass. 

"It just shows how passionate the fans are about players," Lorentz said.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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