NJ Devils & CCM Hockey Partner to Donate Equipment to Fire Victim

The New Jersey Devils in cooperation with CCM Hockey joined forces to donate hockey equipment to a local teen whose family recently lost their home to a fire.

Bayonne, NJ teen Akiel Fogoe, and his family lost everything in a July 11^th fire that ravished the three-story, multi-family home they lived in. Fogoe, a goalie for Bayonne High School, was set to attend a hockey camp this past Monday before losing his hockey equipment in the fire.

Once word got to CCM and the New Jersey Devils, both organizations decided to get together to surprise the teen. Fogoe was invited down to the Prudential Center, where he thought he’d be picking up equipment that was provided through donations.

When he arrived at the rink, last Friday July 24^th, Devils head coach, John Hynes gave him a tour of the Devils locker room and presented him with brand new CCM hockey equipment and two special jerseys. In addition to a personalized Devils with his number 30, just like Martin Brodeur wore, the young goalie also received a signed Cory Schneider jersey.

Fogoe was jubilant as soon as he reached the locker room and saw the equipment waiting for him saying “I was very excited and surprised. I didn’t think the Devils would’ve done that, but yes, they did.” After getting the chance to speak with Hynes, he donned his new gear and took to the AmeriHealth Pavilion ice, where N.J. Devil and staff members at the practice facility helped him break in the pads.

His father, Haleane Fogoe told NJ.com, “It means a lot to him, it will take his mind off of all the stuff that is going on, I know he was motivated to play hockey, but I think this is a lot more motivation for him now.”  Hynes added, “Just to see someone like, Akiel light up, and you see how much it meant to him and his family it was really special.”

One of Fogoe’s mentors, Tom Fogu of Great Saves Goaltending, was also on hand during the afternoon. Fogu, who lives in the same neighborhood as Fogoe, also helped play a part in helping the teen getting ready for the goalie camp after talking with the teen’s father about whether he wanted to still attend.

Fogu helped setup an equipment drive through social media, prior to receiving assistance from the Devils, CCM and the National Hockey League. Fogoe mentioned that while the gear was a little stiff at first, it did feel good to get on the ice again. The elder Fogoe, was glad to see that there were so many people looking out for his son after what the family went through.