CHAMPLIN, Minn. — The hockey community is mourning the loss of a Champlin Park teen who passed away Tuesday at the age of 16 after a long battle with cancer.
Max Akerson was a goaltender for the Champlin Park Rebels and a beloved teammate and friend who was first diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer back in 2021. The teen rebounded after surgery and aggressive treatment but the cancer eventually returned.
His mother shared in a social media post that while Max fought long and hard, the end came quickly.
"Today at 10:20 a.m. Max tried to get out of bed and collapsed in his dad's arms. He took his last breath with his parents' hands on him," wrote Sarah Akerson. "He is free from pain and suffering. He fought so long and hard. He did not let cancer win. He lived every day."
Reaction to Max's passing was quick and heartfelt. The Champlin Park High School Boy's Hockey Facebook page shared a memorial for the young tender at the Ice Forum.
Champlin Park Head High School Hockey Coach Tom Potter spoke with KARE 11 Wednesday afternoon, honoring and remembering a life he says was taken too soon.
"Not fair, because, you know, one of the good ones is gone," he said.
Inside the Champlin Ice Forum lobby is Max's sweater -- one he never got to wear.
"Seeing his last name on the back of a jersey and the kid never got to wear it tears you up," Potter said.
The neighboring Andover Huskies, often a rival of Champlin Park, called on social media for everyone to leave a hockey stick on their porch in memory of Max, and to support his family and the Huskie hockey community. "Fly high Max. You’ve left a mark on all of us and your fight will inspire so many."
Even before his passing, The Champlin Park H.S. Boys Hockey Team had been planning an "ORANGE OUT" fundraiser for Max Akerson and his family on Dec. 5 when the Huskies take on Andover. All profits from sales of a special shirt, silent auction, concession sales and additional donations will go to the Akerson family or a charity of their choice.
Max leaves behind his parents Sarah and Robb, and two sisters. In what has become a hockey tradition, families across the metro - and Minnesota - are leaving their porch lights on and a stick out in honor of Max.
Donations are being accepted through Venmo (@playformax) with money going toward a foundation that's being set up in Max's name. The foundation will give out athletic scholarships and will contribute to a cancer foundation that is yet to be determined.
