The East Boston High School hockey team and hockey players from Boston area schools faced off at Porrazzo Rink in East Boston recently in a two-day hockey tournament to raise money for the Boston Medical Center (BMC) Breast Cancer Research Center.
The Jets host the 5th Annual Deep Freeze high school hockey tournament, sponsored by East Boston Savings Bank.
Founded by East Boston High School’s hockey coach, Robert Anthony, the tournament donates funds raised to the BMC Breast Cancer Research Center as a tribute to Anthony’s wife Jacki, who is a breast cancer survivor. To date the tournament has raised more than $12,000 for BMC Breast Cancer Research and the players were able to raise about $2,500 this year.
“Overall the tournament went very well and we were able to raise money for a worthy cause,” said Anthony. “We had several cancer survivors at this year’s event so it gives the players a chance to see what they are playing for. It really gives them a sense that they are giving back.”
Cancer survivors in attendance included Anthony’s wife, Jackie and his daughter, Carrie Brangiforte. Also, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis was in attendance. Davis’s wife, Jane, recently survived breast cancer.
The competition got underway with the dropping of the pink puck prior to the start of the first game. Special guests include Commissioner Davis, Representative Carlo Basile, and Councilor Sal LaMattina. Jacki Anthony, Carrie Brangiforte, Sandy Allen, Breast Cancer Nurse for the BMC represented the BMC Breast Cancer Research Center.
Student athletes from East Boston High School wore pink hockey shirts in honor of loved ones both present and past who have been affected by breast cancer. A player from each team also receive a $200 scholarship.