The New Jersey Devils and star players Jack and Luke Hughes are making dreams come true through their ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish, Fanatics, and the Devils Youth Foundation. Recently, the Hughes brothers and the Devils went above and beyond to grant the wishes of three young fans, creating unforgettable experiences for them.
Giovanni, Natalie, and Darby, were invited to a special day with the team. The day began with a warm welcome inside the Devils' locker room, where each child was surprised with their own personalized locker stall, complete with a custom jersey and gifts. The young fans then had the opportunity to watch the team practice from the bench, getting an up-close view of their favorite players in action.
The surprises didn't stop there. After practice, Giovanni and Natalie were invited onto the ice to lead the team's post-practice stretch at center ice. Following the stretch, the two young hockey enthusiasts participated in a 2-on-2 scrimmage against Jack Hughes and Paul Cotter.
12-year-old Giovanni teamed up with Jack Hughes, showcasing his skills as he carried the puck up the ice and scored a goal, celebrating with a knee-drop celly. 15-year-old Natalie also had her moment,receiving a pass from Cotter and scoring five-hole on the goaltender. The young fans also got to warm-up with the team from the bench-side and give high-fives in the tunnel. The experience included a suite visit from mascot NJ Devil and alum Bruce Driver, a Zamboni ride during intermission, and a tour of the MSG TV truck.
The Hughes brothers have expressed their commitment to giving back to the community. Jack Hughes, along with his brother Luke, launched the Hughes Brothers' Pucks & Pages initiative in partnership with JAG Physical Therapy and Hockey in New Jersey to promote literacy among New Jersey's youth. The program encourages kids to read and offers them the chance to meet the Hughes brothers at a Devils game to discuss the book.
"This will be really fun to meet these kids and their friends and family after the games," Jack Hughes said. "You can bring people to the game and meet them after and share that experience. It's a really cool thing that me and Luke can do this year and hopefully for a lot of years to come". Luke Hughes echoed his brother's sentiment, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community and creating opportunities for kids to learn and have fun.
The Hughes brothers recognize the unique position they are in to make a positive impact, especially in Newark, where the Devils' rink is located. They are enthusiastic about bringing kids to games, visiting the Iron Bound arena, and simply showing up on Saturdays to connect with the young fans. Their commitment extends to bringing teammates to community events after practice, demonstrating a team-wide effort to bring smiles to children's faces.
The New Jersey Devils' ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish, Fanatics, and the Devils Youth Foundation, along with the dedication of players like the Hughes brothers, continues to create lasting memories and positive experiences for young fans facing challenging circumstances.
