Lena Liljegren has been counting down the days until the AHL All-Star break when she gets to visit Toronto to see her son.



“I miss him,” Lena said.



Her son, Timothy Liljegren, is one of the Maple Leafs’ top defensive prospects. The 19-year-old has had a unique 11-year journey from his hometown of Kristianstad, Sweden to the cusp of the NHL. And he owes his success to his mom.



“Without her, I obviously wouldn’t be here,” Liljegren said. “Without her sacrifices, I wouldn’t be here. I’m not even sure I would be playing hockey.”



The Liljegrens were doubted at every turn. Timothy was told there was no chance he could become a professional, Lena was called “stupid” for moving Timothy away from his home to play and for investing so much time and money into hockey. Now, she gets to watch her son live out his dream.



Lena doesn’t remember the exact moment her son fell...