Jumping aboard the phenomenon that is the Ottawa Senators’ Andrew Hammond, McDonald’s has gifted the undrafted goaltender with a little something most 12-year-olds would kill for…
A special card that gives Hammond free McDonald’s for the rest of his life.
Nicknamed “The Hamburglar,” the 27-year-old Hammond picked up a hamburger tossed on the ice after Sunday’s shootout victory, but didn’t eat it because it was cold. Understandable.
Inspired by Hammond’s 10-0-1 start, John Bergeron, a big Senators fan and owner of six McDonald’s franchises in the Ottawa Valley, called the fast-food giant’s VP of marketing in Toronto with an idea for a hamburger giveaway.
The head office suggested the lifetime meal card, according to the Ottawa Sun.
McDonald’s gesture is on track to become a big PR win for the company. Mere hours after the Ottawa Sun article was posted on March 17, the story was picked up by Yahoo Sports, CBCSports.com and NBCSports.com, among others. Aside from being recognized in the press for its generous deed, McDonald’s has got to be lovin’ Hammond’s shout out to the chain’s lighter options.
When the Sun asked Hammond if the card could impact his weight come training camp, the goalie laughed.
“I don’t know. I’m thinking they have that new light menu, with all the salad and stuff,” Hammond said. “At least I know I’ll never end up starving. If hockey doesn’t work out, I have a meal plan.”
A version of this article originally appeared at SportsNet.ca.
