Blues defenseman reached out to 15-year-old when she won title with Chesterfield Falcons U14 Bantam squad; two bonded when Anderson was diagnosed, has since overcome rare disease HLH, have stayed connected since
ST. LOUIS -- Thinking back to Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, there’s a lot one can recall: A Cinderella run by the St. Louis Blues to the playoffs, the team’s storybook ending, the final score, the on-ice celebration — the list goes on and on. Blues fans remember where they were when the team made history. One particular fan experienced the celebration with her friend at TD Garden in Boston.
Most Blues fans can remember Laila Anderson's special bond with the Blues, especially with defenseman Colton Parayko, a bond still in tact today. The two cheered, hugged, and lifted the Stanley Cup together and remain close to this day.
You can confirm their continued friendship by Laila’s Instagram bio reading 'Colton Parayko’s bff' or by the constant support they still show each other five years later.
When Laila, wearing No. 88, and the 14u AA Chesterfield Lady Falcons won the Missouri State Championship Blue Note Cup at the Centene Community Ice Center recently, Parayko reached out to his friend and let her know he was proud.
“I think it’s phenomenal that I got to be by his side on his big night and his big journey,” Anderson said, referring to the celebration at TD Garden. “And I think it’s really sweet that I can have someone like him in my corner during my big run.”
Although Parayko has never seen Anderson play live, he watches her highlights. One recent highlight was special for everybody to see: Laila scoring her first goal, in the semifinal game of the tournament. Anderson tucked away her first on a rebound, tying the game for her team, which they would go on to win and advance to the finals. After winning that final game, the two traded texts afterwards.
"I just told her I was happy," Parayko said. "It puts a smile on my face. ... Just a really cool story that she’s living."
Their story together began back when they met during Parayko’s rookie season, but the two became close in the Blues’ Stanley Cup championship run. At the time, Laila was a 10-year-old battling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and proved she was a fighter early on. Although Parayko tries to motivate and push her, he said, "I think that's in her. I think she does it already herself."
Thankfully, Laila received a bone marrow transplant and overcame the rare, life-threatening immune system disorder. She still receives yearly checkups with all the tests imaginable, just rounding out Year Four in October of 2023.
Since the historic 2018-19 season, Laila has also continued to support her side of the friendship with the Blues star defenseman. The now 15-year-old posts for Parayko’s
birthday, attends Project 55 charity events and sends ‘good luck’ texts whenever the Blues are facing a big opponent. Laila has a superstitious hockey routine during big games so a quick text saying “I’ll be thinking about you tonight. I’ll be with you at the blue line,” reminds her friend she’s rooting for him.
As the Blue Note Cup tournament went on, Anderson made sure to update her friend throughout all the big moments.
"Whenever I get a text from her, it makes me happy or gives me a smile," Parayko said.
She raises his spirits just like he does for her. The two even occasionally get together for a couple of coffees, or "whatever she’s having there," according to Parayko, and the friends talk a little bit of hockey from time to time, too.
Anderson began playing hockey in November 2020, but the Blues defenseman thinks she’s loved the sport forever. Fans may think No. 55 inspired No. 88 to get on the ice, but Parayko says that was "all her."
“Hockey’s in my blood,” Anderson confirmed. Not only has she attended Blues games for as long as she can remember, hockey has been around her home life for a long time.
Hockey is a great thing to bond over; this similarity only brought their friendship closer. Parayko said it’s fun to have a bond with her.
“Obviously just fortunate to have that relationship with her," he said. "She's come a long way, and it really makes you happy and puts a smile on your face just to see what she's been through, where it's been, and how far she's come. Now she's playing hockey and winning tournaments. It's just exciting. Just super proud of her and happy for her."
Parayko and Anderson have created memories they will share forever.
“He’s taught me so much on and off the ice,” Anderson said. “I’m so grateful to have a role model like him.”
