Hockey game helps teen fight cancer

CROMWELL, Conn. (WTNH) – Tonight a group of high school students are fighting cancer by hitting the rink… Raising money for a teenager suffering from the disease…

At Cromwell’s rink, the Terriers didn’t play just any hockey game, but one in honor of their hero…Andrew Spada.

Dominic Violette, a friend and hockey player, showed that love for Andrew during a hockey game on Saturday night with his teammate Terrier – when his friend was battling brain cancer.

“I just couldn’t imagine loving going through what he’s going through right now.”

Andrew, 17, was diagnosed almost 2 years ago.

His Rocky Hill High School teacher, Dave Dubos, is the coach of the Terriers’ co-op team made up of students from Rocky Hill, Middletown, Plainville, and Haddam-Killingworth schools. He decided this weekend that they would honor Andrew in their game against New Milford.

“The idea is to have something that kids work for more than hockey, something bigger than that, reaching out to the community, helping people around us.”

Lacrosse was Andrew’s sport, and although he was not a hockey player himself, the team made him an honorary member, according to Dubos.

“Just constantly positive, doesn’t feel sorry for himself and is really grateful for everything we do.”

The team raised more than $86,000 for the American Cancer Society and, through game and t-shirt sales, more than $10,000 for Connecticut Children’s, in Andrew’s honor. They represented him on the ice wearing special purple jerseys, keeping Andrew on their minds throughout the game.

Tyler Poulin is a friend and hockey player.

“It’s the least I can do to help him through this and get him to fight,” Violette also said. the school.”

The Terriers lost the game 2-3 in overtime, but left the rink feeling strong knowing how much they had accomplished for Andrew and his family.