‘He fights and fights’: Lincoln Stars honor 7-year-old battling muscular dystrophy

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Stars opened their hearts and their ice to a young boy, Isaí Soriano, who’s been facing challenges most of us can’t imagine.

“I don’t know what it is about him; he just wins everyone over,” said Isaí’s mother, Diana Cridenas.

With bright lights, cool ice, and a warm welcome, 7-year-old Isaí stepped onto the rink Tuesday morning and straight into the hearts of the Lincoln Stars.

Isaí has a condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which leaves his muscles weak and causes him to have difficulty walking.

“Obviously, I wouldn’t have picked any of my kids to end up with anything like this, but Isai just has such a good nature,” Cridenas said. “He fights and fights no matter how many times he stumbles or falls.”

Isaí is a huge hockey fan; he met the players, shared some laughs, and then came the big surprise.

The team presented Isaí with his very own jersey, making him an honorary captain for the upcoming first responders game against Sioux City on Nov. 16.

And to make the moment even more unforgettable, the Nebraska State Patrol rolled a cruiser onto the ice, lights flashing — just for him.

Cridenas said after receiving Isaí’s diagnosis, two questions came to mind: Do they give him the experiences while he continues to grow up, or shelter him?

“And the best choice for our family was to give him the experiences that we can.” Cridenas said, “We would never imagine these would be the kind of experiences he would have.”

The Hometown Heroes Team helped organize the event and said it’s about more than just hockey; it’s about hope.

“I know for a fact this will be an experience that he will remember probably for the rest of his life, and we want him to have these experiences for as long as he can.”