Celebrating the life of former Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment employee, Dean Brzuskiewicz
Last summer, Dean Brzuskiewicz passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Dean started with Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment in 2008 as an Usher in the Guest Services department and rose to a full-time role in the Facility Operations department. Dean worked his way up from Usher to Street Team Member and ultimately Event Supervisor before coming on full-time as the Assistant Manager of Guest Services and then on to Manager of Arena Operations. His colleagues describe him as a grounded, caring, dedicated, funny and a hard-working individual. He did everything with a smile and went above and beyond to ensure his co-workers and guests' needs were met.
The Devils will recognize Dean with a powerful tribute video and pre-game ceremony with his wife, Katie and son, Cody. Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment has also created a Legacy Award in Dean's honor for employees who embody his work ethic each season.
Fundraising for RWJBarnabas Health's Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center
In support of the Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center, the entire team will have HFC locker room name plates, lavender warm-up jerseys and warm-up sticks adorned with lavender tape. All three will be auctioned off through April 13, 2021. Additionally, this year's online mystery puck sale will go live on Tuesday, April 6 at 10:00 AM and features custom-designed and autographed Hockey Fights Cancer pucks. Fans can also make a direct donation to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative if preferred. For more information on Mystery Pucks, donations and auction items, please visit:
newjerseydevils.com/HFC
.
Local 11-Year-Old Youth Hockey Player Honorary Captain
Franco Monnecka, an 11-year-old youth hockey player from Secaucus, New Jersey, will serve as Honorary Captain of the game. Franco was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is currently being treated for one of the rarest forms of cancer, effecting only 10 to 15 people per year in the United States and Canada. The team will be wearing a Franco Strong #24 helmet decal and will recognize him as the Honorary Captain of the game prior to the National Anthem.
Breast Cancer Survivor and Patient, Camille See Wai, to sing National Anthem
Camille See Wai is a breast cancer survivor from Somerset, NJ who is currently undergoing treatment at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Prior to her diagnosis in July 2020, Camille worked as a nanny and the children she cares for are hockey players. She also sings in the choir at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Somerset, New Jersey.
Current RWJBarnabas Health Patient Paul Munier Honored as the Hero Among Us
Paul Munier was a member of the Port Authority for 32 years, specializing in repairing and maintaining heavy snow removal equipment. In January, Paul was diagnosed with advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma, a cancer that devastated his kidney and vascular system. Led by Dr. Eric Singer and an elite team of surgeons and specialists at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Munier's vascular function has been restored
Lavender at Prudential Center
For one night, the logos and branded marks of New Jersey Devils corporate partners will turn lavender. Rink-side Dasherboards, and Prudential Center's LED signage will also illuminate the color of cancer awareness. Coaching Staff, Broadcasters and other staff members will also be wearing lavender in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer.
For additional information and ways to get involved, visit NewJerseyDevils.com/HFC, and follow @NJDevils on Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer.
