By Dakota Antelman, Managing Editor
(Photo/Courtesy Stacie LeCompte)
MARLBOROUGH – Daniel LeCompte’s hockey journey has made an unlikely connection between Marlborough and Forsyth County, Georgia.
Now, LeCompte and his mother, Stacie, are thanking local community members.
“I love these people already,” Stacie said in a recent interview with the Community Advocate.
Hockey player overcomes challenges in path to Marlborough
Daniel has managed autism, Tourette’s syndrome and severe bullying on his way to hockey success in his hometown. Most recently, though, his skills caught the attention of the Boston Jr. Bruins hockey team, which is based out of the New England Sports Center in Marlborough.
That program plays in the United States Hockey League, a junior hockey league that has often acted as a springboard to the NHL.
Daniel is excited for the opportunity. But, to make it a reality, he first needs to fundraise for a $10,000 team fee.
For that, Daniel and his mother have turned to GoFundMe, publicizing a campaign that had collected close to $5,800 as of Aug. 14.
“The donations have been just a blessing,” Stacie wrote in an update on the GoFundMe page.
Many in Marlborough have contributed to the LeComptes’ cause after their story was initially shared in local Facebook groups. The local support then hasn’t stopped there.
(Photo/Courtesy Stacie LeCompte)
LeCompte already has a possible job lined up at a local gym.
Stacie said she has been welcomed by various online communities of Marlborough residents.
One local resident reached out and gave Daniel her emergency contact number. She offered to give him a ride if he ever needs one.
Hailing from a part of the country where hockey often takes a back seat to other sports, Daniel said he’s been wowed by the interest in his journey.
Family thankful to Marlborough community
(Photo/Courtesy Stacie LeCompte)
“We were just discussing what we were going to do,” Stacie said of lingering financial questions surrounding Daniel’s journey.
They were excited to see donations rolling in through GoFundMe. They hoped those would keep coming as a $7,000 down payment on the team fee was set to come due.
In the meantime, that very pizza parlor where they sat was preparing to hold a fundraiser to further support the effort.
“We’re hoping that it’s a big turnout,” Stacie said.
Finance aside, Daniel has his eyes fixed on his future. He’s proud of the challenges he continues to overcome. He’s grateful for an opportunity to join the Jr. Bruins. And he’s looking forward to joining the local community that helped get him to Marlborough.
“It would be cool to meet new people,” he said. “…I’m excited.”
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