See How Toms River Burger King Worker Inspired Hockey Team

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man's heartfelt advice to a group of young hockey players prompted a New York State mom's Facebook thank you that has made it from Oneida to Toms River.

Nick Cangiarella, 33, was working his shift at the Burger King on Route 37 west near the Clarion hotel two weekends ago when Andrea DiSalvo and her son's ice hockey team from upstate New York stopped in for food after the team's game in the Battle at the River Tournament at Winding River Ice Rink.

Andrea DiSalvo, in a post on Facebook, thanked Cangiarella for his kindness and hospitality toward the group of Whitestone Midget 16U players and then said:

"Thank you for then using yourself as an example and encouraging them to stay in school, continue to play sports and to do good and not screw off!" DiSalvo wrote. "Thank you for sharing your own story of why you are where you are today and how you just wish you took school and your younger years more seriously and because of that how hard you have to work in minimum wage paying jobs and yet still struggle to just get by because of the choices you had made."

"You don’t know this, but you are a true role model, whose words, pleads and story impacted my son," DiSalvo wrote.

"Now for our message back to you; you may not have a diploma, a college degree or even a 'dream job,' but you do have a heart, you have class, manners, character and you are caring & humble! So caring and humble that you shared your own life, past and current struggles with a few young men that you didn’t even know!" she wrote

"To some it’s nothing, but to my son (and us), you are an example, role model and your kind words, heart and story will continue to resonate with him. All that alone is worth way more than you will ever know," DiSalvo wrote.

The post had more than 10,000 likes and more than 3,400 shares as of Wednesday morning.

Cangiarella, who is an assistant manager at the Burger King, said he first heard about the post on Saturday.

"I was very surprised when I saw all the likes and comments," he said. "It's nice to get positive feedback."

"I try to work hard because I wasted my youth. Now I've developed a sense of purpose," Cangiarella, who's 33, said. "I didn't really have any plans when I was their age. I'm on a good path now. It's something I can make a career out of."

Cangiarella, who was born in Cherry Hill and lived in Somers Point, moved to Toms River in December and started working at Burger King in January. He worked his way to being an assistant manager in just months, said Dawn DeSimone, the manager at the restaurant.

"I could tell from the beginning he had something in him," DeSimone said. Cangiarella jumps in wherever he's needed, always helping his co-workers, and relating to everyone from co-workers to customers. "He is a blessing to have here."

DeSimone, who said she is not on Facebook, heard about DiSalvo's post from a family member.

"Most of the time people are writing with negative comments," DeSimone said. "It was so nice she took the time out of her day to let people know."

"It didn't surprise me that it was about Nick," she said. "I did surprise me that someone took the time to write such a wonderful post."

Cangiarella said he has been grateful for the chances and the opportunities he's received from both DeSimone and the district manager, Patti Nolan. And that is his message, not only to Andrea DiSalvo's son and his teammates, but to everyone.

"Don't let opportunities pass you by," Cangiarella said.

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Nick Cangiarella photo provided by Nick Cangiarella, published with permission; Burger King photo via Google Maps