Wall of dreams

On February 20, the Garden of Dreams Foundation and the New York Rangers hosted a Make-A-Dream Come True experience for Eddie Klein, a 17 year old hockey player from Foundation partner organization Hackensack University Medical Center, and his family at the MSG Training Center. When Eddie was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in early October, he refused to let it take him away from the game he loves. Throughout his chemotherapy treatments, Eddie, the captain of his high school hockey team, remained in the team’s lineup whenever possible and continued practicing to stay in shape. Since his diagnosis, Eddie has completed his chemotherapy treatments and has resumed full physical activities and continues to lead his team with the same strength and determination that he used to rise above his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

At the training center, Eddie was greeted by Rangers legends Adam Graves and Eddie Giacomin who escorted him to watch his favorite team practice in preparation for their match-up against the Detroit Red Wings. While Eddie was already beaming from ear-to-ear, his favorite player and fellow defensemen Kevin Klein skated off the practice ice to meet him. Eddie and Kevin chatted about life and, of course, hockey. To cap-off an amazing day, Kevin invited Eddie to cheer on the Blueshirts at Madison Square Garden and to visit the locker room after the game to meet the rest of the team. Filled with excitement, Eddie was brought to the player lounge where he received his own personalized Rangers jersey to wear to the game.

The following day, February 21, Eddie gathered his family and friends to join him in an event level suite to watch the Rangers take on the Red Wings. Upon entering the suite,  Eddie was greeted with Rangers swag fit for the ultimate fan including a personalized commemorative New York Rangers hockey stick. During the first period, Eddie was introduced to the crowd with a live shot on GardenVision which prompted 18,000 fans to give him a standing ovation in support of his fight against Lymphoma. After Kevin Klein scored the game winning, overtime goal, Eddie and his family were brought to the Rangers locker room to congratulate Kevin and the team.

“Thank you New York Rangers and the Garden of Dreams Foundation for a truly unbelievable night,” said Eddie. “I will remember it for the rest of my life.”