The 2026 Stick It to Brain Tumors is one for the books! What a great weekend at the new M&T Back Center! The hockey games in all divisions were exciting and the Championship Rec and Rec+ Divisions went to overtime and the Rec+ game went to a shoot out! Doesn’t get more exciting than that!
There are so many people to thank –
Thank you to Tytus Heller and the Zamboni crew at M&T Bank Center. Tytus, Rink Manager, organized the Paint the Ice event before the tournament. He raised $740 for our cause!
My family – Chris, Katie, Ben & Alex Jackson, Bryan Jackson & Megan Whalen, their support means everything to me and is why this event takes place.
My extended family – Kathy Zakriski, Jen Kruman and Betty-Jo Daly
The Messa Mustangs, the best group of women around! They worked their butts off to provide a great time to the teams and spectators, raffle items, food and monetary donations, played the best hockey of the season (1st Place win and in a shootout no less), the list is endless as to their efforts to make this event successful.
The Mustang Family – Karen & Stu Balter, Carla Bengle, Sue Butler, Cindy Chan & Family, JJ Cohn, Barb Cruden (who was there 4 days straight), Maggie Gibson, Laurie Hepler, Leah Hilton & Gary Johnston, Joanne Lafrancois, Kate & Cam Macdonald, Sheila & Devan Manz, Laur Rivera & Brianne Brinker, Roberta Steele (who made sure I didn’t forget anything important), Sally Curtin, Bea Tsao, Hilda Mickelmats, Kaelyn Dooley, Nick Leon and Stacey Caruso-Sharpe.
OTH Hockey – the best group of “more mature” hockey players! They worked hard; they were off-ice officials, donated generously, and provided some great items for our raffle and silent auction. Their support was awesome!
The OTH Family – Bill Wegman, Brian Larrabee, Charlie Blanchet, Dave Elliot, Dave Sheridan, Emilio & Therase Petroccione, George & Diana Sogoian, Gil Gauthier, Jeff Haff, Jim & Carol Dominique, Joel & Teresa Langlois, Joseph Biggins, Karl Kelly, Kent Molino, Kim Williams & Margaret Gillis, Larry Pulvirent, Mark & Theresa Mayhew, Mark Millspaugh, Mike Kalogridis, Mike Strich, Pat & Lily Scanlon, Paul Frament, Pete & Teresa Hopke, Pete Lemme, Ron Ferro, Ron Peacock, Russ Newkirk, Sterling Environmental, Tim Peartree, Woody Woodworth and Yves Nollet
Sage College Students, they were always willing to help, worked hard and always had a smile on their face. We truly appreciated their participation. Yusif Okine, Bertha Miller, Drew Rankin, Alanna Dumas, Rhyleigh Arnold and Anthony M.
The Refs who donated their pay – Bill Dickerson, Kaelyn Dooley, Eric Ferris and several others.
Everyone that generously donated to support research and better treatment options for brain tumors –
Cindy Chan, Karl Kelly, Christine Boswell, Mitch Tarbell, Pat Scanlon, Emilie Hauser, Pete & Teresa Hopke, Jim & Carol Dominique, Ron & Sharron Ferro, Tim Zakriski, Emilio & Therase Petroccione, Mark & Theresa Mayhew, Karen & James Quinn, Jen Kruman, Joel & Teresa Langlois, Sue Butler, Sterling Environmental, Paul Moroukian Weath Management Group, Stacey Caruso-Sharpe, Dave & Rosanne Roberts, Terry Laibach, Bill Wegman & Christine Burgin, Golub Foundation, William & Joan Blanchfield, Borisenok Family Foundation, Kent & Carol Molino, Kim Williams, Joe Biggins, Brian Larrabee, Dave Elliott, Ron Peacock, Charlie & Carron Blanchet, Barb Allen & Gary Lanphear, George & Diana Sogoian,
And everyone that donated raffle and silent auction items!
Mike Faulkner, Michael Kalogridis, NY Giants, Roberta Steele, Donna Casino, Judy Fregoe, Kathy Zakriski, Adirondack Avalanche, Adirondack Thunder, Albany Angels Aqua, Andy Alpart, Arctic Foxes, Roberta Steele, Carla Bengle, Cindy Chan and family, Chicks with Sticks, CT Ice Breakers, Danbury Battle Axes, Dianne Chan, Druthers, Frozen Assets Rec, Head to Tail, Hockey Store n More, Hockeytown, Hoffman Car Wash, Honest Weight, Howie’s Hockey Tape, Joanne Lafrancois, Laur Rivera, Karen Balter, Katrina Isopo Mario’s, Kris Florell, Laurie Hepler, Leah Hilton & Gary Johnston, Maggie Gibson, Maxine Alpart, Mike & Millie Faulkner, Mike Kalogridis, Saugerties Nightmares, Puck Queens, NY Jets, Sheila Manz, Simon Alpart, Terry Laibach, Tom Lynch, Trader Joes, Union College, Westchester Ice Breakers and Frozen Assets Rec+.
Those that donated food items
Messa Mustangs, Freihofers, Carol Braungart, Betty-Jo Daly, Laurie Hepler, Sue Butler
And the Teams!
D Teams
Puck Queens 1st Place
Adirondack Avalanche 2nd Place
Albany Angels
Danbury Battle Axes
Rec+ Teams
Messa Mustangs 1st Place
Frozen Assets 2nd Place
Simsbury Mother Ducks
Chicks with Sticks
Westchester Ice Breakers
Saratoga Storm
Rec Teams
Arctic Foxes 1st Place
Puck Queens 2nd Place
Albany Angels – Agua
Albany Angels – Navy
Saugerties Nightmares
Frozen Assets
The total donations to Johns Hopkins and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation are still growing! I will update you around March 30!