RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of the 2016 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend, Discover surprised 11-year-old Kael Adams of Hermitage, Tennessee, with an ultimate NHL® All-Star Weekend fan experience Friday afternoon. Adams was given the title: official “Stick Kid” of the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition™. He received an exclusive “Stick Kid” jersey and helmet, and as part of the package, Kael gets a sneak peek at the locker rooms, will hang out on the bench at the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition™ on Saturday and attend the 2016 Honda NHL® All-Star Game with his Mom Kara on Sunday.
Kael was born with a complex heart condition known as Taussig-Bing Anomaly. He had his first open-heart surgery at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt when he was just eight days old. Kael was 5 ½ months old when he endured his second open-heart surgery, and had his third open-heart surgery at the age of 10. He has gone through 20 surgeries and medical procedures and will require additional surgical procedures and hospital visits throughout his entire life. However, in January 2015, he was released from any restrictions from playing sports and now plays baseball. Though he’ll never be able to play hockey, it is one of his favorite sports.
Kael is also the son of Staff Sargent Jason Adams, who served in Afghanistan and is currently serving a hardship deployment in South Korea so that Kael and his mom, Kara, can continue to receive treatment at Children’s Hospital.
“We cannot thank Discover enough for this amazing gift. This is something Kael will remember for the rest of his life,” said Kara Adams, mother of Kael Adams. “Kael’s story is just one of the hundreds of stories happening within the walls of Children’s Hospital every day. Discover has made a difference not only in Kael’s world, but with their donation, is making a difference for all the families whose kids receive care at the Children’s Hospital. For that, we are eternally grateful.”
As part of the surprise, Discover donated $25,000 to Children’s Hospital on behalf of Kael and his family.
“Kael has an amazing story of perseverance, and the sacrifice his father has made so that Kael and Kara can remain in Nashville, makes us appreciate even more this opportunity to give something back to this great family serving our country, said Matt Towson, director of Community Affairs at Discover. “We are really excited to present Kael with this opportunity to enjoy all of the NHL All-Star Weekend festivities in his hometown, and are grateful to the NHL and Children’s Hospital in assisting us with Kael’s surprise.”
Along with surprising Adams, Discover is also presenting the NHL Trophy Showcase for fans attending the 2016 NHL Fan Fair™ presented by Bridgestone. From January 28-31, fans attending the 2016 NHL Fan Fair™ at the Nashville’s Music City Center can visit the NHL Trophy Showcase presented by Discover to take a personal photo with the Stanley Cup® and see other historic trophies including the Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player), the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender), the James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defensemen), Prince of Wales Trophy (Eastern Conference Champion), Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Champion), and the Presidents’ Trophy (best overall regular season record).
The NHL Trophy Showcase presented by Discover is open during the following times:
- Thursday, Jan. 28: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 29: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 30: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 31: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Discover is an official partner of the NHL, and their commitment to the NHL provides opportunities to engage with U.S. hockey fans nationwide and develop exclusive hockey-themed rewards and experiences across special NHL events, including the 2016 Honda NHL® All-Star Game. Discover cardmembers also receive an exclusive discount when shopping on Shop.NHL.com and at Official NHL All-Star retail locations in Nashville.
NHL fans can apply for an NHL Discover it® card and choose to add the NHL Shield or their favorite team’s logo from among all 30 NHL teams at www.discover.com/NHLCard. The card offers:
- Five percent cash back in categories that change each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum, and one percent cash back on all other purchases
- Ten percent off purchases at Shop.NHL.com
- Freeze itSM on/off switch for your account
***Additional B-Roll, and previous interviews recorded with the Adams family when Staff Sargent Adams was home can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7rqt9w9hyqyp8om/AAB_be-tg-chOJ4CvCyAKofqa?dl=0 ***
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL Fan Fair name and logo and NHL All-Star Skills Competition name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League.
© NHL 2016. All Rights Reserved.
