Just a few years ago, Finn Keaney came home from Cairo-Durham Elementary School with a flyer in his backpack advertising the Junior Rangers Program, where students can try hockey for free at the Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties. Since then, he’s been hooked on the ice and moved on to play for the Kiwanis house team, the Mustangs.
Fast forward to December 2, 2025 and the sixth-grade student at Cairo-Durham Middle School signed a one-day contract with the New York Rangers.
The signing was part of an experience through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Finn, who lives with Cystic Fibrosis, signed his contract with former NHL forward Adam Graves in the Rangers’ Press Room. He also got to skate with his favorite player, goalie Igor Shesterkin, rode a Zamboni with his younger sister, and met with a number of Rangers players who signed autographs, spoke with him on the bench, and gave him a puck.
“It felt amazing,” Finn said. “I loved it.”
Finn had the option of knowing ahead of time what the Rangers had planned for him or keeping it all a surprise. He chose to be surprised.
“It was a lot more than I was expecting,” he said, adding that he played rock-paper-scissors with players.
“It was amazing to see how much effort and care was put into every step of the process,” Finn’s mother, Natalya, said. “Finn wanted to be a Ranger and meet players, and they went so far beyond that. There were a lot of moments that brought tears to our eyes.”
The Keaney family traveled to Manhattan on Saturday as part of the trip and Make-A-Wish included other excursions, as well. The family visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Bronx Zoo, and skated at Rockefeller Center.
While classmates at Cairo-Durham CSD were stuck at home on December 2 due to having a snow day, Finn was busy hearing his name announced on the loudspeakers at Madison Square Garden as he skated onto the ice in full goalie equipment alongside Shesterkin.
“What an incredible experience this is for Finn and his family,” MS/HS Principal Catherine Dodig said. “Finn is a wonderful student whose positive attitude and resilience are an inspiration to all of us here at Cairo-Durham Middle School. Thank you to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the New York Rangers for collaborating on such an unforgettable opportunity for Finn!”
Now Finn is back in the classroom. He said that his favorite subject is art and noted that some of his favorite teachers have included Ms. Thompson and Ms. Prinz in the Elementary School, and Mr. Siano in the Middle School.
Finn has some bragging rights now since he’s the only student at CDMS that can say he has been signed to a contract with the New York Rangers.
“We’re very thankful for this experience,” Natalya said, adding that it’s not quite over. In February, Finn will head to the Rangers’ practice facility to get some ice time with three-time Stanley Cup Champion goalie Jonathan Quick.