When Utah Mammoth forward Michael Carcone and his family first moved to Utah in the summer of 2024, they recognized an opportunity to make some new friends.
Mia Carcone, Michael’s wife, reached out to Oakley Peterson, a Utah-based influencer who documents daily life with her preteen son, Welles, who has Down Syndrome. The two families met up for pizza, which would start a lasting friendship.
As it turns out, they even live in the same neighborhood.
For the second year in a row, Welles will accompany Michael Carcone to a Mammoth game in honor of World Down Syndrome Day — and this year, they designed socks to celebrate.
Wearing mismatched or brightly colored socks is a widespread way of recognizing World Down Syndrome Day. Carcone is one of four NHL players who teamed up with someone close to them who has Down Syndrome to design socks for the occasion.
Welles’ sock features Carcone’s jersey number and signature on the back, with Welles’ signature and “#21″ on the front. The colored lines along the top represent Carcone’s friendship with Welles, according to a press release.
The words “Better Together” are written above the toes.
It will be paired with a sock designed by Frédérick Gaudreau of the Seattle Kraken, which has various symbols representing outdoor activities that he enjoys with his nephew, Noah, who has Down Syndrome.
“This project is deeply meaningful because it celebrates the idea that uniqueness should be embraced,” Carcone said in a press release. “World Down Syndrome Day reminds us that we are better together, and that message reflects how I think about my friend Welles and the broader Down Syndrome community.”
Carcone said in an interview released by the Mammoth on Wednesday that prior to meeting Welles, he didn’t have any education on Down Syndrome. He has made an effort over the past year and a half to learn more about it and find out how he can show support for those who have it.
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on March 21. The Mammoth don’t play that day, so Carcone, Welles and the team will instead celebrate it on Friday, March 20, as the Mammoth take on the Anaheim Ducks at the Delta Center.
Welles and four other kids will accompany Carcone during his pregame walk-in, just as Welles did last year, and stay for the game that evening. They, along with a number of other Mammoth players, will sport the socks designed for that night.
Fans are invited to join with the players and wear mismatched socks to the game.
The socks, as well as a pair designed by Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins, are available for purchase on the NHL Shop website and on the website of For Bare Feet, a company that collaborated with the NHL to create the socks.
“We are always driven by the belief that the socks you choose to wear are a form of self-expression, which is why we’re delighted to help NHL fans express their support for World Down Syndrome Day,” said Justin Fredericks, For Bare Feet chief executive officer.
The NHL’s initiative also includes a pair of donations to the American Special Hockey Association, totaling $15,000. The funds will go toward ice time and equipment.