growing on his nerves. a condition he shares with his mother, but his is far more severe. those tumors sometimes breaking his bones. 20 surgeries in his 11 years. he's now lost both of his legs. when his second one was amputated, it seemed his fighting spirit disappeared too. and it was that same team he cheered rinkside suddenly at his bedside. >> i was so happy. as soon as i got out of the hospital, i wanted to get out and go to the game. >> reporter: and he went to those games every week. and to the workout room too. their practice, grueling. but so was his too. >> i did it. >> reporter: his sister, so proud. >> he's very strong and, you know, never, never ever gives up. to zachary, they're his role model. and to the players, zachary is their role model. >> reporter: but just as zach was learning to walk again, he learned he was about to lose something else.