Ducks host young fan for morning skate, game, on Hockey Fights Cancer Night

Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal  got to reconnect with a friend at the team’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Friday.

Before their game against the Florida Panthers at the Honda Center, Dostal met with Patrick O’Donnell, a 21-year-old hockey fan, who was visiting the team for the day.

The two first met last season when O’Donnell was honored by the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate, during their Hockey Fights Cancer Night. They have kept in touch since that first meeting and had a chance to see each other again before the Ducks’ celebration last week.

O’Donnell, who plays goalie himself at the University of Utah, is currently fighting against glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. The cancer was discovered in August of 2022.

On Friday, O’Donnell and his family got to watch morning skate before spending the day with Dostal and other members of the organization. They then attended the game, where O’Donnell was honored on the big screen during a break in the action.

O’Donnell continues his brave fight and recently received news that his brain tumors are shrinking. He also received clearance to return to the University of Utah next semester to continue his studies.

That kind of news is always worth celebrating.