A chance to participate in practice, meet the players, get some swag – and take in a
Devils game from an up-close perspective.
The Devils Youth Foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish and Fanatics to grant these
experiences to three wish kids, Natalie, Giovanni and Darby, this past weekend at the
Prudential Center.
The Devils’ practice day experience, held at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at
Prudential Center Friday, included personalized jerseys and gifts at individual lockers
presented by the team in the Devils locker room, watching the Devils practice, an
opportunity to skate on the ice, a full team meet and greet, lunch with Devils alumni, and
a shopping spree in the Devils Den Team Store, courtesy of Fanatics.
The gameday experience, on Saturday night, included watching warm-ups from the
bench, High Five Tunnel access, a visit in their suite with mascot NJ Devil and Devils
Alum Bruce Driver, Zamboni ride during the intermission, a tour of the MSG TV Truck
during second intermission and other experiences.
As devoted fans of the Devils and the sport of hockey, Natalie, Giovanni and Darby
share a heartfelt wish to meet the team. Natalie, 15, who plays for the Northern Lakes
Lightning hockey team in Minnesota, is bravely facing cancer. Giovanni, 12, diagnosed
with a gastrointestinal disorder, has been cheering for the Devils his entire life and
enjoys rollerblading and swimming. Darby, 19, who lives with a heart condition, finds joy
in crocheting and reading.
Kate Whitman Annis, executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation, said the
organization was thrilled to be able to help facilitate the experience.
“Our mission is rooted in creating meaningful experiences for our youth, and this
partnership with Make-A-Wish is a wonderful reflection of that shared mission in action,”
she said.
Make-A-Wish New Jersey CEO Tom Weatherall was thankful for the opportunity.
“We’re grateful to our good friends at the New Jersey Devils for answering the call when
we have wish kids who want to meet their sports heroes,” he said. “We’d also like to
thank our dear wish granting partner, Fanatics — the official sports partner of Make-A-
Wish.
“Together, we’re committed to changing the game for wish kids like Natalie, Giovanni
and Darby.”
