Devils Hosting Hockey Fights Cancer Night | RELEASE

Newark, NJ (November 18, 2022) -The Devils will host their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night in support of the National Hockey League's initiative on Monday, November 21, 2022, when they face off against the Edmonton Oilers at 7:00 p.m. ET at Prudential Center. The Devils will have various ways for fans to get involved throughout the night to help raise funds for David E. Zullo Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. RWJBarnabas Health, together with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. To learn more about this year's Hockey Fights Cancer Night, visit
newjerseydevils.com/HFC
.
Devils to host nine-year-old RJ Ferguson, a cancer patient, at the game on November 21.
The Devils will host nine-year-old Richard "RJ" Ferguson, a cancer patient and lifelong Devils fan, and his family at the game. RJ, from Middletown, New Jersey, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in May 2022 and continues his treatment at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. RJ loves hockey and the New Jersey Devils. His gameday experience will include reading the starting line up in the locker room prior to the game with Head Coach Lindy Ruff and participating in a ceremonial puck drop. Following the game, RJ will have the opportunity to meet his favorite Devils player, Jesper Bratt.
The Devils will also honor Will Luke as Hero Among Us, presented by Prudential, during Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Earlier this year, Will discovered a strange rash and bump on top of his head. After a biopsy, Will was diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma. With the help of RWJBarnabas Health, Will was treated at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and after a few months of treatment, Will received news that he was cancer free. Joining Will at the game on Monday will be his cancer care team from RWJBarnabas Health and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Prior to the game, both the United States National Anthem and Canadian National Anthem will be sung by Samantha Blossey, whose parents are both cancer survivors.

Franco Monnecka, a 13-year-old youth hockey player from Secaucus, New Jersey, will serve as Junior Captain of the game. Franco was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2021 and is currently in remission after being treated for one of the rarest forms of cancer, affecting only 10 to 15 people per year in the United States and Canada. Franco was the Devils' 2020-21 Honorary Captain and will be back at Prudential Center to take the ice during the National Anthem as this season's Junior Captain.
"As advances continue to be made in cancer prevention, research and treatment, we are appreciative of the ongoing support of the NHL and our partner, the New Jersey Devils, as we work together to conquer a disease that impacts so many," said Dr. Steven Libutti, Director, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBarnabas Health. "Hockey Fights Cancer Night truly helps to lift the spirits of cancer patients and their families and reinforces the need to support cancer research and care."
Devils to raise funds to donate back to David E. Zullo Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
The Devils will host a Mystery Puck sale on the main concourse prior to the game behind Section 20. There will be a limited number of player-autographed pucks, which will be sold for $25, cash only. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a puck beginning when doors open at 5:30 PM. Ten lucky fans will receive a Golden Mystery Puck, where they will receive an additional prize.
Devils partner with Love Your Melon.
The New Jersey Devils are partnering with Love Your Melon for an exclusive Devils beanie for Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Love Your Melon gives 50% of their net profit to the LYM foundation which, supports non-profits and charitable programs for children and families battling cancer. Those who would like to purchase a beanie as well as a ticket to the game, can do so through a special group ticket link
here
.
Hockey Fights Cancer warm-up jersey auction.
Following the night, fans will have the opportunity to bid on the Devils' Hockey Fights Cancer warm-up jerseys. The auction will go live following the game and run through Monday, Nov. 28 with net proceeds donated back to David E. Zullo Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Fans will be able to place their bid at
newjerseydevils.com/HFC
.
View photos of the Devils 2021-22 Hockey Fights Cancer Night
here
.
The Devils and RWJBarnabas Health representatives recently visited the newly renovated Infusion Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, the beneficiary of Hockey Fights Cancer Night in 2021. The generous funds raised through this initiative serves to enrich the high-quality clinical care and treatment for cancer patients and their families in the Infusion Center, which was dedicated to the Devils. The Devils themed Infusion Center is also adorned with memorabilia to help patients take their mind off treatment. View b-roll of the newly unveiled space
here
.
Player Hockey Fights Cancer Placard Display
The Devils players, coaches and management inscribed cards to support those in their fight against cancer. The placards will be displayed in the hallway that the players pass on their way to the ice that evening.
Prudential Center and the Devils social media channels will turn lavender to commemorate the night.
There will be special in-game activations and game presentation elements to honor the event by participating in a photo activation area on the main concourse where they can show their support by taking a photo and tagging @NJDevils and #PruPics on social media. Prudential Center's M&M's and Citizens towers will be lit purple for the night, lavender Devils logos will be used on the video board throughout the game, and the sponsor logos on the main ice dasher boards will turn lavender for the night. Citizens will be donating their dasher board placements to
Devils Youth Foundation
in honor of the night.
Fans can get involved by submitting their own Hockey Fights Cancer story via Greenfly, which might be featured during the game on the Devils social media channels and on the video board. To submit a video,
click here
.
Fans will have the opportunity to take part in a recognition during the game for those who courageously fought, are currently fighting, or have lost their lives to cancer by holding up Hockey Fights Cancer placards at their seats during the second time out of the first period. The Devils will recognize top fundraising New Jersey youth hockey goaltenders during the first timeout of the first period, who participated in October Saves, which raises money each year for cancer research. October Saves and the New Jersey Youth Hockey Community will be donating $10,000 to David E. Zullo Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The Red Bank Generals Youth Hockey Club raised $43,088 this year, including goalie Lucas Epstein, who raised over $20,150 for October Saves, which was the second highest in the United States.