Two boys hit the ice with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Webster Bank Arena Tuesday, with help from Make-A-Wish Connecticut.

Sam, 10, has survived three lifesaving surgeries. And Caleb, 4, has a rare blood disease. They both love hockey.

They signed player contracts Tuesday morning and had their wishes to practice with the team granted.

The boys will return to the arena on March 10 for Make-A-Wish Night to help raise funds to grant future wishes.

Make-A-Wish says it was the Sound Tigers who reached out to the foundation to grant the boys' wishes. And the team says it's wishing the boys will overcome their illnesses and go on to have healthy, meaningful lives.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than a quarter of a million wishes in the United States since its founding in 1980.