Honorary draft pick Reilly Hoagland signs with Devils for Make-A-Wish

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils were finally able to celebrate the addition of their fourth pick in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft at Prudential Center on Tuesday.

Reilly Hoagland, a 16-year-old fan with cystic fibrosis from Toms River, New Jersey, joined the team for a night to remember after being named an honorary draft pick three years ago.
"I was nervous but excited just to be here and have lived the moment to talk about it," Hoagland said.
A lifelong Devils fan, Hoagland was granted his one wish of becoming a New Jersey Devil for a day courtesy of the Devils and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"This is awesome," Hoagland said. "Make-A-Wish definitely filled my dreams. They overfilled it, being able to allow me to experience what it's really like and just experience and live the moment."
Hoagland is scheduled for surgery Wednesday morning to correct a dislocated left kneecap he sustained while playing high school hockey for Toms River South earlier this month.
"I had no idea I would be here today," he said. "I thought I would be home getting ready for surgery, but I'll pay the price, it's worth it."
Prior to New Jersey's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, Hoagland and his parents, Laurie and Sean, were greeted by Devils assistant general manager Kate Madigan. He was then escorted to his custom stall in the Devils locker room and a custom number 8 black 'Jersey' jersey. His stall also came complete with the nameplate 'Hoagland.'

After New Jersey's pregame warmup, Hoagland received fist-bumps from the Devils players outside of the locker room. During the game, he was visited by Devils alumni, including two-time Stanley Cup champion, Grant Marshall, and mascot 'NJ Devil.'

Hoagland met alternate captain Jack Hughes and received an autographed Hughes jersey after the game. To fulfill his dream, Reilly will be invited to join the Devils at a practice session next season.
Hoagland, a sophomore at Toms River South, plays right wing for the Toms River Blackhawks youth hockey team. His favorite New Jersey Devils player is Dawson Mercer.
He's been an inspiration for all that know him.
"At the age of 4, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis; it's a life-threatening disease that affects the lungs, affects breathing, daily activity," Hoagland said. "But I've been fortunate enough to play ice hockey, live a normal childhood, in my opinion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they introduced a medicine to definitely help called Trikafta and it has definitely improved my health.
"There's always moments in a game, like health wise, where it affects me, but I don't let it get me down. I play the game, finish it, and do the best I can."