Max Melissa s wish for a roller rink comes true by Alex Kinkopf @AEKinkopf / Arizona Coyotes
A young Coyotes fan wished for a roller hockey rink.
His wish came true.
Six-year-old Max Melissa was born with tricuspid atresia, a congenital and incurable heart disease. Max has undergone two open-heart surgeries and is a Phoenix Children s Hospital patient.
Max s mother, Erica, applied for a wish with Make-A-Wish Arizona prior to Max s second heart surgery in July 2019.
Max s wish was granted in February 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. His ultimate desire revolved around his and his family s love for hockey. Max played in AZ Ice Peoria s 6U House League before his second surgery. His brother, Mark, 12, plays for the AZ Mission 12U team.