The East Boston High School hockey team and hockey players from Boston area schools faced off at Porrazzo Rink in East Boston in a two-day hockey tournament to raise money for the Boston Medical Center (BMC) Breast Cancer Research Center.
The Jets hosted the 9th Annual Deep Freeze high school hockey tournament, sponsored by East Boston Savings Bank last Thursday and Friday.
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 over $30,000 for BMC Breast Cancer Research and the players were able to raise about $2,000 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.
The competition got underway with the ceremonial dropping of the pink puck prior to the start of the first game. Special guests include Jacki Anthony, Dr. Chris Andreas and Dr. Barry Sneldon who represented the BMC Breast Cancer Research Center and EBSB President Debra Jackson.
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. In the first game of the tournament the Jets beat O’Bryant to improve to 2-2 on the season.