Devils Sign 10-Year-Old Brain Cancer Survivor to One Day Contract

NEWARK, NJ – For a 10-year-old kid, getting signed to an NHL team is a dream come true. Most times, however, they have to wait a decade or so until they are drafted after showing that grit and determination to make it to the next level.

New Jersey native Grace Eline, 10, of Long Hill demonstrated that grit and determination in her fight against germinoma, a rare form of cancer commonly found in the brain and has been in remission since December 2018. The New Jersey Devils rewarded the inspirational adolescent with an honorary one-day contract as she met with the team's general manager Ray Shero before their 5-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday evening on Hockey Fights Cancer Night, a joint initiative between the NHL and National Hockey League Players’ Association.

In addition to joining the Devils at practice and addressing the team in the locker room, Eline participated in the ceremonial puck drop featuring New Jersey’s team captain Andy Greene and Red Wings alternate captain Dylan Larkin.

“For me, it’s like a celebration,” Eline suggested. “Not everybody gets to do this kind of stuff so I took advantage of it and did all that I could.”

Devils forward Jack Hughes, 18, said that sharing the ice with her during practice was ‘inspirational.’

"It was nice to take a few minutes on the ice with her,” said the Devils rookie first overall pick via Mike Morreale in his story on NHL.com. “To take some time and make her day a little better by doing that was great. It's obviously a thing where I felt I could make her smile, so we skated around with her a little bit and talked with her."

"You can have tunnel vision just thinking about hockey non-stop and not realize there are bigger problems in the world, so for her to join us and to learn about what she's overcome is pretty inspirational and it makes you see the big picture a little bit more," Hughes added.

The Devils highlighted Grace’s moving journey overcoming brain cancer in a three-minute video posted on their Twitter account and featured story telling from her mother, Audrey Eline.

“We said that regardless of the outcome, we were going to rally,” Grace’s mother explained. “That night we found out she had a tumor, no matter what the outcome we were going to make it a great ride.”

One of the most dramatic moments came about a week and a half into the treatment when Grace began losing her hair. Audrey says it was a ‘surreal moment,’ but the support Grace received from her brother and friend in school, who both shaved their heads made a difference because ‘she didn’t feel isolated on an island.’

Grace was treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabs Health facility, and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. She has achieved N.E.D. status meaning there is no evidence of disease. Now, Grace carries a personality that is charismatic and contagious to those around her.

“I am happy and positive because I just try to be nice to everybody,” Grace explained.

Throughout the game, the Devils highlighted the stories of other cancer survivors while campaigning to raise money to fight the disease that impacts millions of Americans each year.

New Jersey native Samantha Blossey, accompanied by her parents, breast cancer survivor Nancy Dang and prostate cancer survivor Paul Dango, performed the National Anthem before receiving a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, Devils fans showed their support for those who have battled and are still fighting cancer during the first period by raising “I Fight For” placards. Players’ and coaches’ wives and girlfriends sold team gear and mystery autographed pucks for $25 on the main concourse in an effort to raise money for the cause.

Fans can continue to donate to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative by visiting HockeyFightsCancer.com. Devils Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise is available on the team store by clicking here.

Fundraising efforts throughout the game are going towards the renovation of the Clara Maass Medical Center Infusion Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. In partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara Maass Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health provide patients access to the most advanced treatment options close to home.

The Cancer Center at Clara Maas Medical Center continues to receive the prestigious accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a community hospital comprehensive cancer program.

The Devils have also teamed up with Love Your Melon to create an exclusive Love Your Melon x New Jersey Devils beanie. Proceeds from the sales will also go towards the Clara Maass Medical Infusion Center renovation. To date, Love Your Melon has given over 6.2 million dollars to the fight against pediatric cancer and over 180,000 hats to children battling cancer.

Fans can get involved and share their stories using the official hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer and by visiting the official website to download an "I Fight For" card. Merchandise is available at shop.nhl.com.