Before New York Ranger Matt Puempel joined his teammates for the biggest game of the season, he stopped to help a couple whose problems are a lot worse than playoff elimination.
The young winger stunned the homeless boyfriend and girlfriend with a pair of primo seats to the Blueshirts Game 6 battle with Ottawa at The Garden.
“We were just sitting here, brother came out here past me on Saturday and asked, ‘Do you want any tickets to go to the Rangers Game?’ I said, ‘Hell f–cking, yeah!’” recalled Danny, who sleeps on the streets outside the arena with his Charmayne.
“Last time I saw the Rangers win the championship was 1994,” he told The Post. “So the brother came out and said, ‘I’m going to come back Tuesday and bless you.’ He came through and woke me up. He said, ‘I’m here and I got you, I’m going to warm up quick and I’ll be back and take care of you.’”
Just hours before the do-or-die game against his old team, Puempel kept his word — and returned to give them the tickets at around lunch time.
“He didn’t lie,” explained Charmayne. “He was awesome…He said, ‘Go have fun, enjoy yourself, and I’ll see you after the game.’ I felt so good about it. We have been out here for three years, homeless right in this spot.”
A local photographer named Rich Docherty has known the couple for several years and caught the exchange on camera Tuesday.
“They were thrilled,” he said. “This type of stuff just doesn’t happen. They’ve been living on the streets for years, and some player just hands them playoffs tickets?! They’re on cloud 9.”
Puempel, who was claimed on waivers from Ottawa in November, found Charmayne and Danny on West 33rd Street at 8th Avenue, right outside of a Duane Reade.
“He was walking by himself, no entourage or security,” Charmayne said. “He was gorgeous!”
The 24-year-old gave them their tickets — Section 104, Row 16, Seats 1 and 2 — and told them he’d better see them cheering.
“He said, ‘I’m looking for both of you in the stands,’” Charmayne remembered. “It’s been so rough for us living out here… and I’ve never been to a hockey game.”
The pair promised the Ontario native that they’d be hootin’ and hollerin’ all night long.
“I’ll always love these boys,” Danny said about the Rangers. “They players have the heart and I respect Matt. He has my love and respect.”
Doing good things for people in need has been a big part of Puempel’s life and career, according to reports.
While playing for the Senators, he started his own charity — “Puempel’s Purpose” — and got people to donate money to the Children’s Wish Foundation for every goal he scored and assist he made. The young man managed to raise more than $6,000.
Mike Pelino, who coached Puempel during his time with Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, described him as a truly special individual during an interview with local freelance reporter Logan Clow in 2011.
“He has a heart of gold and wants to do anything he can for his fellow human beings,” Pelino said.
After graduating high school, Puempel told Clow that he started going back every morning to volunteer with a special-education class.
“It’s definitely something I want to continue,” the winger said. “I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life for the things I’ve been able to achieve. I really just want to give back as much as possible.”
Source: http://nypost.com/2017/05/09/rangers-player-makes-amazing-gesture-to-homeless-couple/
