ST. PAUL, Min. — It was a moment every hockey kid dreams of. Ten-year-old Jaxson Shepard, of Prior Lake, got to skate the “State of Hockey” flag to center ice Monday night. Wild game against the Winnipeg Jets.
It was the idea of Jaxson Shepard’s third-grade teacher, Stacy Kodada, at Redtail Ridge Elementary.
“I knew Jaxson loved hockey, and I thought what better way to bring them some happiness,” Kodada said. “I hope he will remember it forever.”
It was a moment of much-needed joy for Jaxson Shepard after a sudden, unexpected trauma. His twin sister, Addy Shepard, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in late June after waking up with a nosebleed that wouldn’t stop. Five days later she died at just 9 years old.
“It’s unfathomable. It just happened so quickly,” said Dave Shepard, Jaxson and Addy Shepard’s father.
Both Dave Shepard and his wife, Angie Shepard, remember their little girl for how kind she was to others.
“During her celebration of life, she had several friends speaking and they all looked different. They all played different sports, they all had different interests, she just treated everyone equally,” Angie Shepard said.
For Jaxson Shepard, this moment wasn’t their only bond with the Wild. Defenseman Jonas Brodin donated generously to the family shortly after Addy Shepard died, and he didn’t even know them.
Minnesota Wild
“It immediately shot up to the top of the list of favorite Wild players just because he doesn’t have to do that,” Dave Shepard said.
The family enjoys every moment that brings joy and honors Addy Shepard along the way. They hope their story will help other grieving families heal as well.
“Enjoy your family, enjoy the moments because they change in the blink of an eye,” said Dave Shepard.
After the game, the Shepard family met Brodin and personally thanked him for his generosity. Brodin also signed some hockey sticks for Jaxson Shepard.
The family tells WCCO they are currently in the process of starting a foundation in Addy Shepard’s honor. They say it probably has something to do with softball, because that was the sport Addy loved to play.
Marielle Mohs
