Hockey Fights Cancer Night

12.2.25
​It was such an honor to be able to drop the puck at the LA kings vs Washington Capitals hockey fights cancer game.

A little back story- I spent 7 seasons working for the LA kings- I was on the Ice Crew for 3 and worked my butt off and when a position opened in the front office, I knew it was where I was meant to be. So I worked another 4 seasons in the office in their Hockey Development department. It was my first full time job and I am so thankful for my manager who took a risk with hiring me. While in the office I was a coordinator for the first couple of years managing their street team (who they at the time they called the Chariot Staff) and I also helped start their “Little King’s” learn to skate program.

Then a position opened in the same department for group sales. I worked alongside the local rinks and would sell ice time before/ at intermission/ after the game in exchange for group tickets.

I LOVEDDD my time working for the Kings but after getting engaged to Mike and moving down to Orange County, I knew it wasn’t realistic to continue working all the way up in LA. Not to mention, I always knew I wanted a family and it just wasn’t feasible to be able to raise kids while being gone for late nights and weekend games.

I met so many amazing people through the organization and have made life long friends that i am forever grateful for.

When my cancer journey started I dreamed about becoming NED and thought it would be such an amazing experience to be able to drop the puck for hockey fights cancer night.

As the season approached, I reached out to a few of my old colleagues and they said I could drop the puck with my family. An absolute full circle amazing moment.

We knew we wanted the family to comedown on the ice with me but were really nervous about our 5 yr old Scarlett and how she would feel being out there with all eyes on us. She doesn’t like to be the center of attention and even got really upset last year at her school holiday performance and her preschool graduation when she had to be up on stage. BUT she crushed it and we are so proud of how well her, Bella, and Luca handled it.

They shared a short clip about my journey as well as some photos and we all walked out to the edge of the carpet.

It was so cool being at center ice, watching the players on the benches and hearing the cheers from the people in the area.

Then Kopitar and ovechkin skated out, we took a pic and I dropped the puck. 2 future hall of famers!!

Kopitar started his career with the kings just a couple seasons before I started working for the team and I worked a lot of events next to him as well as celebrated both Stanley Cup championship games while a part of the organization. So although we don’t know each other on a personal level we have both been around each other for many years.

After the puck drop, the family and I headed up to the suite where our friends/ family/ past coworkers were ready to great us. It made it so special to have everyone together in one spot to share the special night with. The kids got to run around and we all got to catch up and reminisce.

After the game the Kings Care Foundation set us up with a meet and greet with Fiala. He was very kind, signed some stuff for the kids and took a few pictures with everyone.

Kopitar was heading out but saw us standing and talking with Fiala and made a point to stay back so he could say hi to us when we were finished with our meet and greet. He came over and chatted with me for a couple minutes and then took a group photo with us and signed my MIL Susie’s jersey. She is a huge fan of his so it was really special. We all could not stop talking about what an amazing guy he is to take the time out of his night after a long game to do that.

I am so thankful for the time I spent working for such an amazing organization and am so thankful for the opportunity of being able to drop the puck and for everyone who made that experience possible.

A friend of mine was able to upload the whole video to youtube- here it is
​https://youtu.be/bAMSBJdF2Uc