Entering its seventh season, the Hockey East Skating Strides program has raised nearly $200,000 for various breast cancer charities, including a record $45,215 total in 2012. At the same time, the program has garnered interest in the sport, all across the conference, with increased attendance at, and awareness of, the women's ice hockey programs at all eight member institutions.

Skating Strides has also given the student-athletes the opportunity to give back to the communities in which they study and play hockey. Charitable donations have been made by Skating Strides to the Friends of Mel Foundation, which in turn, distributes funds throughout New England. Organizations who have benefitted from Skating Strides fundraising include, but are not limited to, the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Lewiston, Maine; the Gloria Gemma Foundation in Providence, RI; the Vermont Cancer Center in Burlington, VT; Necessity Bags in CT; and the Ellie Fund in MA.