Return of the Purple Puck

Penn State Altoona’s premiere Purple Puck game took place in 2018 as part of the Hockey Combats Cancer campaign.

The Purple Puck event’s commemorative game puck.

Organized by the Mario Lemieux Foundation, the campaign is a way to grow the hockey network, connect it to the wider community, and support the Foundation’s main goal: find a cure for cancer.

Each participating team in the College Hockey East league was charged with turning one home game into a special event to raise awareness for all types of cancer and to raise funds for organizations dedicated to cancer research and support.

Members of the Penn State Altoona’s men’s club hockey team wanted to bring a personal touch to the event: they decided to hold a ceremony before the puck drop to recognize and bolster those who are fighting cancer, to celebrate those who have beaten it, and to honor families that have lost someone to the disease. Honorees were chosen from the local community.

Members organized raffles and a silent auction and sold t-shirts, and during intermission, a mini scrimmage took place between Altoona area youth hockey teams. It was a success that led to another Purple Puck event the following year.

In 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, the charity event was put on hold and the hockey club dissolved. Now both are back in full force, and the third Purple Puck game took place Sunday, January 28, when the Nittany Lions hosted the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats at Galactic Ice Rink in Altoona.

Players from both hockey teams, event organizers, and honorees pose for a group photo.

Credit: Kirk Zembower

This year, seven individuals and families were recognized, including Marissa Carney, Penn State Altoona’s media and public relations coordinator and breast cancer survivor. Surrounded by loved ones and Penn State Altoona and Franklin & Marshall players, families were welcomed onto the ice for the pre-game ceremony.

“That’s the most impactful part of the event,” says head coach and general manager Tom Lantz. “When both teams are out there standing with the families and you’re hearing the stories, that’s what it’s all about. Unless you’re there in the moment, you can’t really feel it.”

Carney, who was invited to do the ceremonial puck drop, was honored to be included. “It really is an incredibly touching experience. I am grateful to the hockey team for creating something so special and for giving us a space to stand together.”

Marissa Carney, Penn State Altoona’s media and public relations coordinator and breast cancer survivor, performs the ceremonial puck drop.

Credit: Kirk Zembower

More than 30 local businesses donated items to raffle off including tickets to an NHL game. There was a silent auction for two signed Mario Lemieux jerseys along with a signed jersey of Hollidaysburg’s Sam Lafferty, who now plays for the Vancouver Canucks.

Team captain Max Frearson says the amount of support from the community was exactly what he was hoping for. “It’s not just ‘Penn State Altoona fights cancer,’ it’s the whole hockey community that’s fighting. It’s a collective effort. It was a lot of work, but it was great getting so much local support. We were really looking forward to seeing how it all came together.”

Around $7,000 was raised, and Penn State Altoona won the game with a final score of 5-2. Lantz says he plans to continue the event and hopes it will grow with each year.

All proceeds from Purple Puck benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation and locally, the Griffith Family Foundation, and Easter for Eli.