The excitement was contagious as the entire afternoon was filled with friendly competition, plenty of laughter, and unbelievable memories for all in attendance.
“This is amazing,” Shellie Davis, an attendee, explained. “I want to say a dream come true but I didn’t know this was a possibility, to be at an event that is so much fun but also so meaningful. And to have so many people that are here and invested for the right reason.”
Although it was an off-day for the team, Smith’s teammates were quick to join the event and spend an afternoon in support of the community and this important cause.
“It means everything to us, a lot of us were able to show up which is great for such a great cause that affects all of us,” Nathan Bastian shared. “To be able to come out here in the community, it means a lot to us.”
“Cancer sucks,” Nico Hischier said. “Everybody has their own stories to tell. Smith told us a little bit about his and his wife’s as well. People in the whole world are battling this disease and it’s just great that everybody came here and chose to support ... It means a lot to myself too to be here, and just do something good for the community.”
The Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation has helped countless families feel supported through the scariest times, and when they need it the most.
“It lets people who are suffering from cancer know that they’re not alone, that somebody cares,” Crimmins shared. “When you get diagnosed with cancer all of the sudden you’re just different. People look at you differently and you feel like you’re on an island.”
Davis and her two sons weren’t just any participants at the event, they’re one of the many families who received financial support from the Foundation and whose lives were changed by events like these.
“My sons are second-year bantam players and they could only play because of Jam Kan,” Davis explained. “That’s the whole reason they’ve continued playing the sport. Hockey was the one thing that brought us together as a family when my husband was sick. And as he got sicker and sicker it became the one thing that we were going to lose.
“Jam Kan and Jamey Crimmins came in at just the right time and said as long as your boys want to be on the ice, they’ll be on the ice,” Davis continued. “If he had just stopped there that would have been more than enough. But he’s gone above and beyond and (my kids) have accomplished, seen things and done things they wouldn’t have done otherwise.”
Although it was a day headlined by a very competitive Kan Jam tournament and an opportunity to interact with Devils players in an intimate setting, this fun event will change lives for the better and support those in the New Jersey community battling cancer.
“It’s a great time, everybody’s laughing and having a good time," Smith said. "It’s for a great cause and everybody’s having fun."
