Van Andel Institute

For the month of February Emersen will be skating to honor his beloved hockey coach Drew Brown. Drew was diagnosed with bone cancer during his hockey season at Providence College. After his diagnosis he was named honorary Captain of the NCAA Championship winning team.

After he came back to Michigan Drew began coaching youth on the hockey treadmill and on the ice. It was during Emersen’s treadmill lessons with Drew that their friendship formed. They had a love of fishing, hockey talk, and love of the game of hockey in common. Drew would join us for family dinners which allowed all of us to form a bond with Drew as we let him into our home and hearts.

Drew was Emersen’s first “real life” role model. Sadly we watched Emersen’s heart break when Drew lost his battle with cancer. It was Emersen’s first experience with losing someone he looked up to and loved so very much. Emersen still strives to “live like Drew” and “play like Drew.” Drew’s legacy lives on through Emersen. For that we are so grateful for the impact Drew had on Emersen’s life.