Corey Walgren CW18 & Corey's Goal

"We are proud of our association with Corey's Goal, and the jerseys represent that commitment. High School hockey was an important part of Corey's life and the joy he felt while playing and being part of the team is something we hope every player will demonstrate throughout their time with the Naperville Hockey Club. His number 18 is retired by our club and honored at All Seasons arena with a banner next to the scoreboard, and our team honors him whenever we wear these special jerseys at selected games."

Jim Carleton - President, Naperville Hockey Club

CW18 JERSEYS

Hello Naperville Hockey Club players and parents,

We wanted to take a minute to introduce ourselves to the new members on the team and provide an update to old members! We are Doug and Maureen Walgren and we have a non profit (501c3) charity called Corey’s Goal formed in 2017 to honor our son, Corey, who played for Huskies Hockey since Freshman Year. Corey died suddenly and unexpectedly on Jan 11, 2017 during his Junior Year at Naperville North. After Corey’s passing, the team graciously raised a flag in Corey’s memory which hangs at All Seasons Ice Rink. Corey’s jersey number 18 was also retired and the players had “CW18” patches sewn onto the arms of their jerseys and stickers on their helmets to honor his memory. We have been beyond touched by the support.

The mission of our organization has been twofold, to honor Corey and his love of hockey through financial gifting to local hockey organizations and to raise awareness of the civil rights of students in school. The circumstances surrounding Corey’s death brought a lot of attention to how School Resource Officers (SROs) are used in schools and what rights a student has in regards to being questioned and searched at school. In 2019, we were able to help get the Illinois School code changed to include a law prohibiting police from questioning minor students at school without first notifying the parents.

In the past couple of years, we have moved away from the outreach part of the mission. We found it very healing to make changes in the first few years and raise awareness around what tragically happened to Corey so that it won’t happen again. However, in the past couple of years we’ve found it more healing to focus on the way Corey lived his life rather than the way he died. So, we invite you to help us remember Corey’s spirit, his love of hockey and enthusiasm for playing for his school. Corey's Goal has given a $2500 scholarship each year to a varsity player that helps keep Corey’s spirit alive by the way he or she plays the sport and connects with other players on the team. The winner is selected by the coaches and hockey club board with our guidance and is awarded during the end of the season banquet. This year we will again offer an award to a player from Naperville North as well as a player from Naperville Central. The winners will show un wavered dedication to this hockey club, love of the sport, academic excellence and good sportsmanship throughout the season.

A few years ago, we started sponsoring the purchase of a new orange jersey for the team. The jersey was designed and brought to fruition by Zach and Tyler Zuspann, our neighbors and friends of both our boys, Josh and Corey. Besides looking very cool, the jersey brought an energized morale to the team during Covid. We are happy to still be sponsoring the purchase of the jersey for new teammates this year. We are honored that you wear these jerseys in Corey’s memory.

... We look forward to a great season of hockey and creating new memories with this year’s team through pasta parties, league games, tournaments and social gatherings.

Let’s Go Naperville Hockey!

• Doug & Maureen Walgren