Tonight is the third annual Comm. Ave. Charity Classic hockey game between former players from Boston University and Boston College. The event is held by Compassionate Care ALS and supports the Travis Roy Foundation (BU) and the Pete Frates Fund (BC). This exhibition game is quickly becoming my favorite charity event of the year.
The exhibition game is a chance to relive old rivalries and see great players from both schools back on the ice against each other. Since the teams are perennial powerhouses in NCAA Hockey the former players that participate are top notch talents; a majority of the players in tonight’s game are currently in the National Hockey League.
Last year’s roster was dramatically tilted in BC’s favor — every player on the squad was in the NHL, either playing for a professional team or on a minor league team affiliate. And there weren’t too many from BU. After last year’s friendly thrashing, BU has added a lot more NHLers to this year’s exhibition team for The Charity Classic, namely CHarlie McAvoy, Charlie Coyle, and Hobey Baker winner Jack Eichel.
“In 2003 Ron Hoffman founded Compassionate Care ALS, encompassing the Heald Fund and expanding its services to include families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals – in addition to ALS patients.”1 The first game raised $55,000 in 2015. The Eagles defeated the Terriers last year, 13-8.
The game tonight promises to be another dandy with both rosters stacked with fresh new talent, especially on the BU side who have a lot of first-timers playing in the exhibition game. The Terriers seem to really want to hang a W up tonight.
2017 ROSTERS
Boston College
Ryan Fitzgerald / F / 2017 / Boston Bruins
Johnny Gaudreau / F / 2015 / Calgary Flames
Brian Dumoulin / D / 2013 / Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike Mottau / D / New Jersey Devils
Brooks Orpik / D / 2002 / Washington Capitals
Kevin Hayes / F / 2014 / New York Rangers
Jimmy Hayes / F / 2012 / Boston Bruins
Noah Hanifin / D / 2018 / Carolina Hurricanes
Brian Boyle / Toronto Maple Leafs
Stephen Gionta / New York Islanders
Tommy Cross / D / 2013 / Boston Bruins
Paul Carey / F / 2012 / Washington Capitals
Colin White / F / 2019 / Ottawa Senators
Joe Whitney / F / 2011 / Colorado Avalanche
Patrick Brown / F / 2014 / Carolina Hurricanes
Chris Calnan / F / 2017 / Chicago Blackhawks
Cory Schneider / G / 2008 / New Jersey Devils
John Muse / G / 2011 / Rochester Americans
Boston University
Charlie McAvoy / D / 2020 / Boston Bruins
Dave Warsofsky / D / 2012 / Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Eichel / F / 2018 / Buffalo Sabres
Charlie Coyle / F / 2014 / Minnesota Wild
Doyle Somerby / D / New York Islanders
Garrett Noonan / D / Nashville Predators
Freddy Meyer / D / New York Islanders
Brian Strait / D / 2009 / Winnipeg Jets
Danny O’Regan / F / 2016 / San Jose Sharks
John McCarthy / F / 2009 / San Jose Sharks
Sean Sullivan / D / Ingolstadt Germany
Mike Moran / F / 2016 / Mississippi River Kings
Matt Lane / F / 2016 / Rochester Americans
Kevin Schaeffer / D / Providence Bruins
Sean Maguire / G / 2016 / Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins
Matt O’Connor / G / 2015 / Ottawa Senators
1> https://www.ccals.org/
