Anthony's Dream

It was a magical start to Anthony’s Dream Experience with a limo ride that made Anthony feel like a star. The excitement was palpable as he and his family settled in for the ride to Raleigh. You could see the joy in his eyes as we headed to the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills, where the suite awaited us. As we entered, the view was nothing short of spectacular, and it felt like Anthony was truly sleeping in the lap of luxury.

Dinner at Leo’s Italian Social was just as wonderful. The staff there went above and beyond, ensuring that everything was perfect. They were attentive and kind, making sure Anthony and his family had everything they needed to feel right at home. As the meal wound down, we all talked about what to do next. Anthony, being a huge Marvel fan, hadn’t yet seen Captain America, so we all decided to take a short walk to the nearby movie theater to catch the film before a good night’s rest.

The next morning brought with it a wave of joy—Anthony’s smile was brighter than ever. Our first stop was a trip down memory lane, one that sparked stories from his childhood. He reminisced about the time spent with his dad at the local video game store. It was clear how much those moments meant to him, and the look on his mom’s face as she listened to him recount those memories was priceless. We picked up several games, but the one that stood out the most was the very first game his dad had bought for him. It was a beautiful moment of connection between Anthony and his family, a highlight of the trip already.

The day continued with even more surprises. We arrived at the Lenovo Center, and from the moment we stepped inside, Rachel with the Hurricanes and the entire Hurricanes team were absolutely phenomenal. During the tour, Anthony had the opportunity to meet the team announcers, including Tripp Tracey, and it wasn’t long before they were interviewing each other. One of the best moments came when we all sat on the players bench, waiting for the team to emerge from the locker room. It was like a scene out of a movie—the entire team came over to fist bump Anthony and his family, making them feel like part of the team. One player even brought Anthony a hockey puck, and another presented him with a hockey stick, signed by the team! Laughter, smiles, and joy filled the air—it was an incredibly special time for everyone.

After the arena tour, we headed back to the suite, and there was yet another surprise waiting. The President of Operations arrived with hockey pucks for Anthony’s brother and sister, adding to the already unforgettable experience.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. As the game drew to a close, the atmosphere was electric. With just minutes left in the game, we were given a special opportunity to stand behind the goal and watch the final moments from an incredible vantage point. The shot that sealed the victory for the team came directly in front of Anthony, and the excitement was overwhelming. Thanks to Doug Ward, the team President, Anthony got to experience the game from such a unique perspective—watching the action unfold right before his eyes.

At the end of the game, Anthony had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to step out onto the ice and participate in the famous Hurricanes Storm Surge with the players. The crowd went wild as he hyped them up, and it was a moment that will forever be etched in everyone’s memory. To top it all off, Anthony had the opportunity to sit in on an interview with the player who scored the winning goal, Sebastian Aho!

The night wrapped up with a visit to the locker room, where Anthony met the players and the head coach, Rod Brind’Amour. They signed his jersey, and he was even given another hockey stick—the one used by the starting goalie. It was a night of joy, surprises, and unforgettable memories. Anthony was absolutely radiant, and his mom said the night exceeded their wildest expectations.