"The Panthers may not have picked their captain yet but they have picked their team ambassador in 12-year-old C.J. George.

George, who was stricken with lymphoma blood cancer when he was 9 but is in full remission, gave a stirring speech at the Panthers Ford Face-Off Gala Tuesday night at Pier 66 in which he helped raise several thousand dollars in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Then prior to Thursday's final practice at Saveology.com IcePlex before the season opens Saturday night on Long Island, George gave the team an emotional pep talk."