Jonathan Pitre: The Senators' Butterfly Who Touched the Hockey World
Some stories in hockey aren’t about goals or trophies. Some stories are about courage, connection, and moments that remind us why we love the game. Jonathan Pitre’s story is one of those moments. A boy from near Ottawa, born with a rare and devastating skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa, Jonathan lived every day in pain that most of us can’t imagine. His skin was so fragile that even a light touch could blister it, yet he carried himself with a smile and a passion for life—and for the Ottawa Senators—that was impossible to ignore.
The Ottawa Senators Honoured Pitre by Making Him an Honorary Scout
Jonathan became more than a fan; he became a symbol. He raised awareness of his condition, raised funds for research, and inspired everyone who met him with the courage it took to get through a day. Hockey noticed, too. In 2014, the Senators arranged something extraordinary: they signed Jonathan to an honorary one-day contract as a pro scout. It wasn’t about paperwork or salary. It was about giving a boy a moment to belong, to be part of the team he had loved for so long. [Take a look at the link in this video to meet Jonathan.]
Another quiet act of kindness came to light later, one that shows the humanity behind the game. Sidney Crosby, meeting Jonathan at an NHL event, took it upon himself to have a custom suit made—the kind of attention to detail players usually reserve for themselves. Crosby wanted Jonathan to look as confident and sharp as any pro on the ice, and he quietly covered the cost. No headlines. No cameras. Just a man seeing a boy and saying, “You belong here.”
Jonathan Took His Place Among the Stars from Ottawa
Jonathan wore that suit at events and on camera, and the image of him standing tall, dressed like a professional among the stars, is one of the most powerful reminders of what hockey can be. It isn’t just a game. It’s a community. It’s a connection. It’s these fleeting gestures that ripple outward and live long after a season ends.
Jonathan passed away in 2018 at just 17 years old. But his story didn’t end there. The Senators and others in the hockey world continue to honour him—through butterfly decals on helmets, awards in his name, and the memory of a boy who taught adults more about courage than any coach ever could.
Every Once in a While, Hockey Embraces a Hero
In the grand drama of sport, it’s easy to get lost in stats and standings. But every so often, hockey gives us a story like Jonathan Pitre’s: a boy with fragile skin and an unbreakable spirit, a team that embraced him, and a superstar who quietly made him feel at home. That, more than any trophy, is the kind of win worth celebrating.
[I want to thank Mike in Ottawa, who responded to a post I wrote on The Hockey Writers, for putting me onto this story.]