Testimonials
Hear from some of the players and families who your donations are directly impacting!
DJ Doty
PAHL Altoona Trackers
I would love to thank this organization for giving my son the opportunity to play the game he is so passionate about and loves. DJ plays with all heart, encouraging teammates and always willing to help.
Melissa Doty
Alexander Udal
Southern CT Stars
Alexander has had a season of ups and downs so far. He scored a hat trick in his first game of the season, and then three days later he fell during practice and broke his wrist. He missed the first home game and the first season tournament while injured, going from a hard cast to a soft one that he currently wears under his glove. After 8 weeks he returned to the ice and had a good return weekend, followed by a fun tournament in Hershey PA, where Alex scored two goals and his team went 3-1, playing teams from PA, NJ and NC. Alex hopes not to miss any more games this season and again we appreciate your support as the season continues for Alex.
The Udal Family
Andrew Renzi
Montgomery Blue Devils
We couldn’t be happier with how this season is going at this point. Andrew was selected by his teammates and coaches to be one of the 2 assistant captains on this team. We are so happy they have welcomed Drew to this program with open arms. It’s a fantastic team currently ranked 19th in the country, and hopeful to make a run at the Nationals. We can’t thank you all enough, without your help this season, Drew would not have been able to play. Thank you for the help, we are beyond grateful.
The Renzi Family
Liam Schickling
Grundy Senators
Liam “Tater” Schickling was able to play another year. During covid he grew almost 10 inches. That’s a lot for any one but even more when you are a goalie and need all new equipment. I am so glad we were given any help to keep him in the sport that he loves. He continues to grow as an athlete, and a young man. His coaches have been amazing and couldn’t imagine Liam “Tater” Schickling without hockey. The scholarship helped keep him pursuing his dreams. Thank you!
The Schickling Family
River and Avalon Raymond
Saugerties Mustangs | Saugerties Fillies
We are so happy and thankful to be awarded with the scholarship for River and Avalon Raymond! We look forward to our weekly practices and our upcoming games we will travel to and also host at our rink, in Saugerties, NY, this season!
The Raymond Family
Gianni Locricchio
Jersey Hitmen
The Back Bear Youth Hockey Foundation is doing fantastic work in making the game more accessible to kids. My son was incredibly happy to not only share his scholarship application essay about his love of hockey, but overwhelmed to have received an award towards his tuition!
Claudia Locricchio
(Parent of scholarship recipient Gianni Locricchio)
Enzo Tracey
Jaguars Bantam A
Hockey means the world to me. It’s not just a sport, it’s a family. The Igloo is like a second home. I feel loved and respected by so many people there. It’s like having a million brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
My dad was my best friend. We were really close and most of it was because of hockey. He took me to my first learn to skate lesson when I was 4. When it was time for me to play hockey my dad was my first coach for in house mites. My dad has helped coach every team I have ever played on. He also coached in house teams every year. I loved going to his team’s practices and helping him teach things to other kids. It was our thing! And everyone loved Coach Ed.
Last year we found out my dad had cancer. It was tough. He still tried to coach my team as much as he could, as well as his in house team. Through it all our hockey family was there to support us. In November, my team put together a Hockey Fights Cancer benefit in my dad’s honor. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for us. They even had Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys made for my peewee team, all with TRACEY on the backs. Everyone at the Igloo really supported us.
One month later, my dad passed away. Our hockey family was still there supporting us. There is this bond. Everyone gathers around you and lifts you up when you are down. We know that our hockey family is always there. Our lives would never be the same without them.
On the 2 month anniversary of his death, my team wearing our Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys won the championship in the Niagara Falls Tournament. I know my dad was the extra man on the ice that day.
This year I will be a bantam. It is going to be a big change from what I am used to. I am a little nervous. I am also sad because my dad will not be there on the bench to help coach me. But I know he will be watching over me and my team. 3 out of the last 4 years I had Coach Fingerhut. He taught me amazing things. He has helped me grow as a hockey player and a person. This year I was picked for Coach Popielarski’s Bantam A team. I am excited to learn new things from him.
I promised my dad that I would continue to play hockey and always try my best. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to do that. My mom has been working a lot and is trying to keep things as normal as possible for me and my sister. I can tell it is hard for her. This scholarship would really help us and help me to continue to play the game that I love.
GO JAGS!!!
Enzo Tracey
Max Larruari
Wildcats
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to play travel travel hockey this year. We started practicing August 10th. So far it is going great! My coach, Tad Lunborg, is very nice and my teammates are really cool. I am learning stick handling, fast movements and getting much stronger from the workouts we do at home. I am looking forward to games starting and hoping there will be tournaments this year. I will keep you posted on my progress this year. Again, thank you so much for helping me be a part of this team.
Max Larrauri