WAKEFIELD, Mass. – Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna has announced the Hockey East Skating Strides schedule for 2016-17, the conference's fundraising vehicle to bring awareness to breast cancer and women's hockey. For the second consecutive season, all nine women's programs that compete in the conference will host a designated Skating Strides game on campus, bringing awareness to both women's hockey and breast cancer initiatives. The Bertagna Trophy, given annually to the Women's Hockey East Tournament champion, will also appear at each school campus, giving fans a close up look at one of the premier trophies in college athletics. A full schedule can be found below.
"Our conference has come a long way in 15 years of Women's Hockey East competition," said Bertagna. "I particularly hope the tour of our trophy brings people closer to the game and inspires young hockey-playing girls to pursue their dreams of playing college hockey."
"Our Skating Strides events have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and also raised awareness of breast cancer and breast cancer research," said Bertagna. "We hope our fans come out and support this worthy cause as they have so generously in the past."
Hockey East's Skating Strides program was honored in May 2016 by Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center at the one hundred, a fundraising and awareness initiative that honors those that have displayed a commitment to fighting cancer.
Founded in 2006, Skating Strides is entering its 11th season of existence, and has contributed nearly $400,000 to breast cancer organizations throughout New England through the Friends of Mel Foundation, including the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in Maine, the Gloria Gemma Foundation in Rhode Island, the Vermont Cancer Center, Necessities Bag and the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center in Connecticut, the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, the Ellie Fund and the Art of Living Life Beyond Cancer Conference in Massachusetts.
2017 Skating Strides Schedule |
|||
Day | Away | Home | Time |
Jan. 20 | Northeastern | UConn | 7pm |
Jan. 21 | UConn | Northeastern | 3pm |
Jan. 22 | Providence | Boston Univ. | 3pm |
Jan. 28 | Northeastern | New Hampshire | 2pm |
Jan. 29 | Providence | Maine | 2pm |
Feb. 3 | UConn | Boston College | 7pm |
Feb. 5 | UConn | Providence | 2pm |
Feb. 12 | Providence | Merrimack | 2:05pm |
Feb. 17 | Merrimack | Vermont | 7pm |
2017 Bertagna Trophy Tour Schedule |
|||
Day | Away | Home | Time |
Jan. 3 | Vermont | Merrimack | 7pm |
Jan. 10 | Frozen Fenway | 7pm | |
Jan. 20 | Northeastern | UConn | 7pm |
Jan. 29 | Providence | Maine | 2pm |
Jan. 31 | Women's Beanpot | at Northeastern | 5pm |
Feb. 3 | Providence | Northeastern | 2pm |
Feb. 7 | Women's Beanpot | at Northeastern | 7:30pm |
Feb. 10 | Boston Univ. | New Hampshire | 7pm |
Feb. 11 | New Hampshire | Boston Univ. | 3pm |
Feb. 17 | Merrimack | Vermont | 7pm |
Feb. 18 | Boston College | Providence | 2pm |
Feb. 19 | Providence | Boston College | 2pm |