The Dallas Stars will help make Anderson McDuffie’s dream come true next Wednesday. While partnering with Make-A-Wish North Texas, the Stars will play a hockey game against ten-year-old McDuffie and his own squad.
Ten-year-old Dallas Stars and hockey super fan Anderson McDuffie got the chance to drop the puck prior to the Stars’ game against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 7. And just seconds after dropping the puck and shaking hands with Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski, he was granted another big wish: squaring off with his favorite hockey team in an actual game.
McDuffie isn’t your typical hockey fan. At 10 years old, he has already had two open-heart surgeries to counter a condition he was born with. But, through all of the ups and downs, the sport of hockey and the Dallas Stars have always provided motivation and encouragement.
His love for hockey began when he was just one-year-old after receiving his first stick. And when the Stars started the Little Rookies Program, his family signed him up for the inaugural year. He got the chance to skate alongside Mike Modano and meet Dallas superstars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, officially birthing his love for the sport and the team.
After undergoing his second successful procedure last May, McDuffie got through the recovery phase by pushing a foam ball with his stick through the hallways of the heart unit at Medical City Children’s Hospital Dallas. Six weeks following the procedure, he was cleared to return to the ice and wasted no time in getting back.
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Now, McDuffie is playing on a Dallas Stars team and representing his favorite team while also actively participating in his favorite sport.
And on Jan. 16, he’ll get a chance to achieve his dream by playing against the 2018-19 Dallas Stars. Following the team’s practice on Wednesday afternoon in Frisco, Anderson’s team will take the ice for a two-period scrimmage against the Stars. The game will start around 12:45 p.m. at the StarCenter in Frisco. Here is part of the press release from the organization:
Ten-year-old Anderson McDuffie has used the game of hockey and his life-long love for the Dallas Stars to fuel his courage and motivation as he recovered from his most recent open-heart surgery. With the help of Make-A-Wish North Texas, the Stars are helping fulfill Anderson’s wish of creating his own hockey team and playing against the Dallas Stars.
Immediately following Dallas Stars practice on Wednesday, Jan. 16, the team will participate in a two-period scrimmage with Anderson’s hockey team.
Numerous members of the Dallas Stars organization will participate in the game or game presentation experience including Daryl “Razor” Reaugh, Josh Bogorad, Stu Barnes, Vern Fiddler, Marty Turco and Bob Bassen.
Prior to the game, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney will participate in the ceremonial puck drop between captain Jamie Benn and Anderson McDuffie.
Anderson’s fight to not let anything stand in his way of his love for hockey or the Dallas Stars is an inspiration. And on Jan. 16, he’ll have a chance to live out his passion on a grand stage.