Devils' Hockey Fights Cancer Night Hits Close to Home This Year

NEWARK, NJ - Genuine, funny and loyal are just a few of the words that colleagues used to describe beloved former Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment (HBSE) employee Dean Brzuskiewicz, who passed away last summer after a courageous battle with cancer, in a video tribute that aired at the Prudential Center before the New Jersey Devils 5-3 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Hockey Fights Cancer Night.

Dean started with HBSE in 2008 as an Usher in the Guest Services department and rose to a full-time role in the Facility Operations department. Dean worked his way up from Usher to Street Team Member and ultimately Event Supervisor before coming on full-time as the Assistant Manager of Guest Services and then on to Manager of Arena Operations.

Those who knew him best say that he did everything with a smile and went above and beyond to ensure his co-workers and guests’ needs were met. To commemorate his tenure and inspiration to others, HBSE created a Legacy Award in Dean's honor for employees who embody his work ethic each season.

Throughout the game a number of local cancer survivors and caretakers were also recognized and honored while raising funds and awareness for a disease that continues to touch millions of Americans each year.

Prior to the National Anthem, Franco Monnecka, an 11-year-old youth hockey player from Secaucus, New Jersey, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was announced as the Honorary Captain of the game. Franco is currently being treated for one of the rarest forms of cancer, effecting only 10 to 15 people per year in the United States and Canada, but is in good spirits and was excited to receive the honor. The team wore a Franco Strong #24 helmet decal to show their support for him throughout his fight against cancer.

Shortly after that, breast cancer survivor and patient, Camille See Wai, sang the National Anthem on the ice in front of some 1,800 fans in attendance. The Somerset, NJ native is currently undergoing treatment at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Prior to her diagnosis in July 2020, Camille worked as a nanny and the children she cares for are hockey players. She also sings in the choir at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Somerset, New Jersey.

Meanwhile, current RWJBarnabas Health Patient Paul Munier was honored as the Hero Among Us. Munier was a member of the Port Authority for 32 years, specializing in repairing and maintaining heavy snow removal equipment.

In January, Paul was diagnosed with advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma, a cancer that devastated his kidney and vascular system. Led by Dr. Eric Singer and an elite team of surgeons and specialists at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Munier’s vascular function has been restored.

Logos and branded marks of New Jersey Devils corporate partners were transitioned to shades of lavender for the one-day event celebrated across the league to show solidarity in the fight against cancer. Rink-side Dasherboards, and Prudential Center's LED signage were also illuminated in the color of cancer awareness.

In support of the Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center, the entire Devils roster was assigned Hockey Fights Cancer locker room name plates, lavender warm-up jerseys and warm-up sticks adorned with lavender tape. All three are up for auction from now through April 13, 2021. The renovation project will provide cancer patients with resources needed to help them through their treatments while at Clara Maass Medical Center.

Fans can also make a direct donation to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative if preferred.
For more information and ways to get involved, visit NewJerseyDevils.com/HFC.