When Jade Emily Cox took to the ice as the only girl on her youth team in Grand Junction, Colorado, she carried a quiet determination that would later inspire an entire generation of female hockey players on the Western Slope.
A Foundation Born from Memory
Five weeks before her 20th birthday, Cox died in a fatal car crash in Severance, Colorado. In response, her grandfather Daniel Johnson launched the Forever 20 Hockey Foundation, a nonprofit that bears her jersey number and her spirit. The organization was officially registered with the Colorado Secretary of State on August 12, 2025 — exactly on what would have been Jade’s birthday.
The foundation’s mission is simple yet ambitious: to remove financial barriers that keep girls from stepping onto the rink. By offering grants for equipment, travel and program fees, it has already assisted three young athletes and contributed $4,000 to the U‑19 River Hawks Girls’ team for a summer development program.
Beyond monetary support, the foundation cultivates a welcoming environment at the River City Sportsplex, where coaches and volunteers emphasize inclusion and mentorship. Daniel Johnson has repeatedly stressed that hockey should be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender or socioeconomic background.
Amy Johnson, a close family member who has worked alongside Daniel in coordinating outreach, says the response from the community has been overwhelming. Local rinks, schools and sponsors have begun to recognize the need for structured opportunities for girls, and the foundation is actively recruiting more participants.
The legacy of Jade Cox continues to ripple across Colorado’s Western Slope, proving that a single life cut short can ignite a movement that reshapes a sport. As the foundation looks ahead, it invites any girl with a love for hockey to reach out, promising a supportive pathway to the ice.