AHL Utica Comets

Comets in the Community: St. Luke's Healthcare Visit

Published on December 5, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Support for the Utica Comets seems to come from everywhere these days. A franchise that has swept the Mohawk Valley by storm has reached people with much more important things to be looking out for. The Comets fervor has even reached the residents of St. Luke's Healthcare in Utica, where Comets players were surprised to find some of their biggest fans.

"It was actually pretty enlightening to be honest with you," Utica Comets defenseman Alex Biega said. "To come in here, you might think they don't really know too much about hockey and the Utica Comets but I was wrong on that one."

Biega was one of six Comets players to visit with both children and senior citizens alike at St. Luke's who were delighted to meet some of their Utica heroes.  Biega, along with defenseman Yann Sauve and Patrick Mullen and forwards Kellan Lain, Brandon DeFazio and David Marshall visited with children in the terminal ward, while also taking the time to meet with some older Comets fans at the St. Luke's Home.

The players met first with the kids, where they signed autographed and got to know some of their youngest supporters. Children all throughout the ward were thrilled for an appearance from some of their favorite Comets, who felt the same reward in seeing the delight that they brought to these kids.

"They loved it, they absolutely loved it, that's something that really makes their day," John Sommer of the St. Luke's Home said about the kids.  "To see people from the outside come in really gives them the semblance that they're still alive."

The players also met with hockey fans who have been affiliated with the Comets before any of the players we're even born.  The players visited the senior-citizens home as well, where plenty of Clinton Comets turned Utica Comets fans were happy to greet them.  The players mingled and signed some more autographs and were even treated to a beautiful rendition of White Christmas from a very energetic patient.

"It's nice to make the day for [The St. Luke's residents], to put their smiles on as they're really happy to see us," Sauve said. "It's just good for us to be here."

The day concluded with a special surprise for one huge hockey fanatic who was unable to leave her bed due to her medical issues. The Comets were informed about one of their biggest fans and made the trip up to her to see a patient who could not keep an infectious smile off of her face, which spread to the six hockey players.

"We have a lot of fans all over the place and it was fun," Biega said. "It's always nice to get out here, take a step away from the game and really see the support in the community."

The Comets presence was equally rewarded by the staff at St. Luke's who have dedicated their lives to helping people in need.  Sommer, who has supported hockey in Utica ever since the Devils were in town, was appreciative to see the effect the players had.

"I don't want to say it gets sad in here, but we try to give them as much enjoyment and quality of life as we can and we try to take them out as much as we can but when it gets cold like this it gets very hard," he said. "For [The Comets] to be able to come in and see them it makes their day, it really did."

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American Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2013


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