11-year-old hockey player launches equipment donation campaign

WEST SENECA, NY (WKBW) – Inside the West Seneca rink, an equipment room sits with boxes full of skates, sticks, pads and helmets.

The room is a storage space for lightly used hockey equipment for younger players, but it hasn’t always been there. The equipment was collected after a huge community donation campaign, led by an 11-year-old boy.

Tra’mell Wylie’s father says his son was in training one day when he had an experience that marked him forever.

“Tra’mell was at the hockey rink one day, and a young boy came in and wanted to play,” Tra’mell’s father, Mark Wylie, said. “The next day Tra’mell didn’t see him on the ice and he said ‘Dad, why isn’t he on the ice?’ I said ‘he has to wait to get some equipment.’

It wasn’t long before Tra’mell had an idea, an idea that could help many kids get on the ice.

“Tra’mell came up with the idea of ​​doing a fundraiser for the equipment,” Wylie said.

After Wylie posted on Facebook, the ride spread like wildfire. Donations started pouring in to the rink and Wylie House.

“He’s done a really good job getting the program started, and I hope he continues,” Wylie said.

Playing hockey is not easy on a parent’s wallet. The average cost for a child to play is $250 to $1,000 for equipment alone. Rink and league fees are separate,

Tra’mell says he didn’t want anyone left behind.

“I’m so proud of my kids and what they think,” Mark said. “It amazes me every day.”

The Wylie family says they hope people will continue to donate so they can continue to help kids play hockey.