'American Idol' Auditions: Daughter of Former New Jersey Devils Star Among Thousands of Hopefuls

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Taylor Daneyko, the 17-year-old daughter of retired New Jersey Devils star Ken Daneyko, was among the thousands of hopefuls who showed up for Thursday’s Idol auditions at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., according to a report in The Star-Ledger.

“I’ve always wanted to be onstage," she said. She added that when she was little, she used to sing Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On" and cry.

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Daneyko and her father -- an All-Star defenseman who won three Stanley Cups during his 1983-2003 career with the Devils -- braved the East Coast heat wave, showing up at 5:30 a.m. to sing for her shot at the title.

“I had a dream to be an athlete," he said. "Now she has a dream, and when they have their dreams you’ve got to support them."

Idol viewers are used to auditions from famous daughters. Season 11 featured semifinalist Shannon Magrane, daughter of former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Magrane. Season six champion Jordin Sparks is the daughter of former New York Giants cornerback Phillippi Sparks. (Other Idol hopefuls with a famous parent include Jane Carrey, daughter of actor-comedian Jim Carrey.)

Auditions will continue on at 5 a.m. Saturday, with host Ryan Seacrest on hand for taping duties.

Patrick Lynn, a supervising producer on the show, said he saw some real talent and “obvious characters” during the New Jersey auditions.

“We get good singers all the time," Lynn told the paper. "We’re also looking for people with good personality."