For some, July represents the shore, BBQs, and fireworks. For others, it is associated with Lana Del Rey's trending lyrics to "Young and Beautiful." For former New Jersey Devils [https://t.co/qDGXyWaLab] defenseman and current MSG Networks in-game analyst Ken Daneyko, it represents something much more. For the past 21 years, mid-July meant it was time for the annual Ken Daneyko Golf Classic, benefiting The Center for Great Expectations [https://www.cge-nj.org/about/] in Somerset, New Jersey. Mr. Devil recalled that his friend and former heavyweight boxer, Gerry Cooney, introduced him to the golf outing and charity event in the early 2000s. Back then, the event took place at Suburban Golf Club in Union, New Jersey, with roughly 80 golfers in attendance. It was there that Daneyko, who had recently retired from the NHL, was introduced to The Center for Great Expectations' President and CEO, Peg Wright. A day or two after the event, Wright approached Daneyko to see if he would be willing to get more involved with the golf outing and increase awareness of the charity. He ultimately agreed. Founded in 1998 in Somerville, New Jersey, The Center for Great Expectations originally operated from a modest two-bedroom house donated by the Immaculate Conception parish, catering annually to 12 expectant mothers. By 2008, recognizing the need for expanded services, The Center for Great Expectations fundraised $4.2 million to establish two specialized residential facilities in Somerset for adults and their children requiring long-term mental health and substance use treatments, and for adolescents with mental health issues who are pregnant or parenting - the latter being the state's sole residential program of its kind. "You could see they needed any kind of help they could get," Daneyko told The Hockey News. "It was New Jersey, it was local. It was a smaller charity that needed help." Photo Credit: The Center for Great Expectations [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f9d1759e-0518-48ff-9a8f-c966b4931fdc.jpeg] Photo Credit: The Center for Great Expectations Over the years, with the help of Daneyko, the charity has expanded tremendously. At the 2025 Ken Daneyko Golf Classic, the number of golfers increased to over 200, and the event relocated to Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. "They have helped so many," the former defenseman continued. "Their success rate is as good, or not better, than any rehab by a mile. It is not just about getting sober and clean from addiction, which is first and foremost, but preparing them to be mothers and for motherhood. They have got doctors on call and such a great staff and volunteers. They care a lot, and that is what (appealed to me) and has meant a lot to me." Unbeknownst to Wright, when she was introduced to Daneyko all those years ago, he was dealing with his own addictions. In 1997, he became the first player to enter the NHL's voluntary Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health program. After missing 45 games, he returned to the Devils in February of 1998. Daneyko has never shied away from his story, and over the years, has been a speaker at various events. "I was going through addiction and alcoholism myself at the time," he candidly told The Hockey News. "I am thinking, 'Maybe there is a reason for this.' This all goes hand in hand. I was battling back and forth, and I looked at this like it was maybe meant to be." "Being a celebrity and someone in the public who doesn't have a problem saying, 'It happened to me, too' is a very positive thing," Wright shared. "And he does that." Photo Credit: The Center for Great Expectations [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3b7fdf8d-804b-45d0-8418-0e5fdfb3b9b1.jpeg] Photo Credit: The Center for Great Expectations Last week, the charity raised its target goal of $200,000 and will continue to provide a safe haven for those who need it. They are currently at 50 percent capacity. "We built two buildings," Wright said. "One is dedicated to adolescents pregnant and parenting, and one is dedicated to adult women pregnant and parenting so that they could have their babies or reunify with their children and stay for an extended length of time. "Substance use is not an acute condition," she continued. "It takes time. For example, in the adult women's program, the average length of stay is six to nine months. In the adolescent program, their stay is sometimes up to two years. They come out of foster care, have significant mental health issues, and they're pregnant, or have a baby. There is nowhere for them to go." It was Wright's caring nature and big heart that initially caught Daneyko's attention, and over the years, they have been able to grow The Center for Great Expectations into a lifeline for individuals in need. Of course, the three-time Stanley Cup champion makes sure to give credit to those working in Somerset. "It is the people who work there," he said. "All the volunteers and everybody else who does the heavy lifting. I am just happy that I can lend my name, and be a little part of what has helped the charity grow with the golf outing." "He probably has more humility in his little pinky than most people could ever hope to have," Wright said of Daneyko. "He is just a very caring human and cares deeply about our mission. You know, I love him." To see interviews from The Ken Daneyko Golf Classic, please visit Sportsology [http://www.sportsology.com/the-ken-daneyko-golf-classic-interviews/]. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] Photo Credit: The Center for Great Expectations
