Real Hockey Players Wear Pink

Cross- checking, puck shooting, rough and tough hockey players hit the ice this past weekend sporting pink jerseys, pink laces in their skates, and pink tape on their sticks. That’s right, pink. It was the third annual “Hockey Cares” weekend at Western Michigan University’s Lawson Ice Arena, an event to spread awareness about breast cancer and cancer as a whole.

“The pink jerseys are the perfect thing to wear in order to show our support out on the ice,” said Bronco Goalie, Riley Gill, senior. “Since we can't change our equipment too much, the jerseys and pink laces in our skates are a good way for the players to show respect.”

The arena was packed with more than 3,000 hockey fans and raised thousands of dollars towards cancer research. A silent auction of sports memorabilia and donations from luminaries, hockey cares rubber bracelets, pink ribbons, shirts, pink hockey pucks, “cancer sucks” buttons, etc. all went towards cancer research and the Relay For Life to be held in April. Pink hockey cares shirts were distributed to fans on Saturday.

“The support for the Broncos and for the cause was hard to deny,” said Laura Duvall, sophomore.” While attending the game it became clear that it's not only WMU Hockey that cares, but rather the entire Western community.”

The arena had a lot of momentum for not only the intense game, but because of the cancer awareness campaign. Spectators showed up wearing all shades of pink, even a few painted pink shirts by some Lawson Lunatics, to show their support.

“Knowing that we can put on this event in order to help people with cancer is a motivational factor for everyone on the team,” said Gill. “I think hockey cares weekend is a great idea not only for raising money for cancer research, but also just to make the hockey community more aware of how many people and families are affected by cancer every year.”

When Gill’s father had cancer at the age of 46, it was a tough time for everyone in his family. “Hockey Cares is something that I like to be a part of since cancer has hit so close to home for me,” said Gill.

The event goes to prove that everyone wears pink to show awareness of cancer, even hockey players. Something as small as wearing the associated girly color of pink, can show respect.