Hockey for Life started as an idea in St. Joseph, MI. in February 2005...

 

  Melanie's 40 year-old cousin Danette, (Dani) had just died in January 2005 of breast and brain cancer. She left behind her a husband & 3 young children. Melanie had almost lost her Dad a few years before (in 1999) to tongue and throat cancer. He had not smoked in 20+ years. They gave him pretty slim odds of living longer than 5 years but thankfully he remained with us until 2018. Ken was very proud of what Hockey for Life was able to do to touch people's lives. After his passing, Ken's family decided to sponsor jerseys for a HFL team.

 

  Shortly after Dani's passing, a group of family members at our church wanted to start a Relay For Life team for the upcoming summer event at the Berrien County fairgrounds. Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society. We wanted to find a way to fight back and remember Dani's life. We also wanted to help those who were battling this awful disease, remember those who have died because of it, and honor those who had beat cancer. 
 

  So a 1-game "donation" type fundraiser event was coordinated in St. Joe. Jim Horan, who has participated and helped organize HFL, played that night and really liked this idea. He suggested that we try and make a weekend out of it at S2 Ice Arena in Oshtemo a couple of months later. So, we started making plans and two months later, Hockey For Life began!

 

  That first year HFL was made up of guys who filled the spots of four teams. In 2006, we started more time and planning was put into the event and we raised about $3,500. In 2007, word continued to spread about Hockey For Life. Friends told friends, family members came to support their players and we were able to fill the spots for 8 teams! That year we were able to raise almost $8,000 over a 3 day weekend for the American Cancer Society.

 

  In 2008, we raised even more money and we went to 10 teams! Since 2010, we have been increasing participation as well as money raised. Players, (men and women), are now coming from all over Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Montana and then some! In 2015 we hosted an 18 team tournament ~ 200 skaters!

 

 Hockey for LIfe has continued to grow and we are now able to fill the spots for 22 teams in our three age divisions. Our goal is to continue to help those in the midst of the fight of their life. We have been donating money to the American Cancer Society and also our child "All-Stars." Our desire is to make a difference for our families, friends, community, and our children - to have a life without cancer.

 

  Please join for a great weekend of hockey, fundraising, laughter, camaraderie and fun. If you can't make it to the event but would like to donate, you can do so on our website. Money raised from Hockey For Life goes to our local All-Star, (and their family), and also to the American Cancer Society - to further help with cancer research and all the services they provide for people fighting cancer. 

 

  This event is special in so many ways. The HFL family is truly remarkable, and we are passionate about what we are doing. We pray that one day we will live in a world without cancer.