Seven-year-old Trevor Bobev of Somerset, New Jersey, experienced a milestone week as the New Jersey Devils honored him during their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by RWJBarnabas Health. The recognition reached its peak on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Prudential Center, where Bobev walked to center ice to a sold-out crowd’s applause while wearing a purple Hockey Fights Cancer jersey. Positioned between Devils captain Nico Hischier and Flyers captain Sean Couturier, he dropped the ceremonial puck as the arena offered an extended welcome.
Trevor was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma at the age of 3 and was selected by the organization as its honored participant for the night, supported by RWJBarnabas Health. His day at the arena included greeting the team when they arrived, viewing warmups from the bench area, listening in on the announcement of the starting group inside the locker room, participating in the pregame moment at center ice, and circling the rink on the Zamboni during the break. He described his excitement earlier in the evening by saying, “Amazing because I can ride the Zamboni again and drop the puck. I get to meet a whole bunch of players.”
His first encounter with the Zamboni took place years earlier during a game he attended from the RWJBarnabas suite, where he also enjoyed a ride between periods. His father, Daniel, had told him, “Don’t get used to this. It’s a one-time thing,” but over time, people around him saw how invested he became in the Devils. During stays at the hospital, staff often heard the noise of him cheering along to the Devils broadcasts playing in his room.
Trevor received care at Rutgers Cancer Institute—the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Jersey—in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health. His parents recall that during the height of COVID, their son suddenly shifted away from his usual cheerful behavior. His nights grew increasingly difficult; he struggled to breathe, became noticeably distressed, and his abdomen appeared enlarged and firm. A vein later identified as connected to the tumor also became visible. After a visit to the pediatrician, he was urgently directed to the emergency department, where testing confirmed the type of cancer. Daniel had initially suspected “maybe it was appendicitis, something like that,” before being informed of the true diagnosis.
A small stuffed cat became central to Trevor’s early experience. In the ICU, nurses used the toy to help him accept an oxygen mask. He later named it Nico and brought it along for every appointment and treatment session. His interest in hockey took root at home, where Devils games were a regular part of family life, and he celebrated goals with his father.
Trevor eventually began skating, starting in Learn to Skate classes before moving into the Devils Learn to Play program with his siblings. He said skating was his favorite activity and mentioned that holding a hockey stick helped him maintain balance. He also plays baseball and has been coached by MSG play-by-play announcer Don La Greca.
Daniel described Burkitt’s Lymphoma as highly aggressive but explained that it responds well to available treatments. Gina shared that the staff at the hospital made their experience easier by treating them like close family and continuing to keep in contact with Trevor, sometimes bringing him small gifts.
Trevor’s involvement with the Devils extended earlier in the week during a team practice held on Tuesday under the NHL-wide Hockey Fights Cancer project, which raises awareness around cancer risks and supports research funding. At the practice, Trevor officially joined the Devils for a day by signing a short-term contract, assisted by Martin Brodeur. Brodeur said, “I’m sure he’s gonna go home and frame that contract. I think it’s something cool.” Trevor received a jersey signed by the roster, his own locker stall, time inside the dressing room before practice, a seat on the bench during drills, and the opportunity to lead the team stretch at center ice afterward. He then skated with members of the team, practiced shots on goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and worked on passing and shooting with Hischier.
Tonight, what Coach and Trevor says goes!#NJDevils | @RWJBarnabas pic.twitter.com/yjslVRoezW
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 30, 2025
Saturday’s event also included fundraising on the concourse. Long lines stretched near Sections 19 and 20 as fans bought $25 mystery pucks. The effort belongs to the joint NHL and NHLPA Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, which is in its 27th season and centers on sharing patient stories, advancing research, and promoting awareness about cancer prevention and screening. A fan named Ted, who reached five years cancer-free in February, attended with his family of eight. They opened their mystery pucks together and discovered one signed by Jesper Bratt, the player they hoped to find.
The Devils hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:08 p.m., with New Jersey falling 5–3. Goals for the Devils were scored by Simon Nemec, Timo Meier, and Dawson Mercer. Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 of 31 attempts, finishing with a .871 save percentage. The loss was New Jersey’s first regulation defeat at Prudential Center this season. After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe described Hockey Fights Cancer as “such a tremendous initiative that the League has done for quite some time.”
At the end of the night, Daniel said, “Trevor was a fighter, and he was brave the entire time. Trevor was braver than us. We’re just so happy that he’s here today and he’s doing great.”
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