Madison Square Garden hosts Travis Roy Hockey Classic

NEW YORK -- The spirit of Travis Roy compels Hugh Jessiman back to Madison Square Garden.

Since 2017, the retired forward chosen by the New York Rangers with the No. 12 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft has played three games on Garden ice. He was one of 34 players who skated in the
Travis Roy Hockey Classic
on Thursday that raised more than $200,000 from at least 700 donors for The Travis Roy Center for Enhanced Independence at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, boosting the total to $1.2 million to benefit spinal cord research.
"This is a special event, going to a great cause now, too," Jessiman said. "It's fun getting to be on the ice with the guys. Remembering Travis now, it was different when he was here."
Those who raised or donated a minimum of $3,000 played 60 minutes, skated with family and friends for another 30 and will gather in a suite to watch the Rangers play the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; MSG, TSN5, RDS, ESPN+, SN NOW). Hours before Patrick Kane's Rangers debut after his trade from the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, Team Red and Team Black wore Roy's No. 24 and played to a 5-5 tie. Triumphant was the hockey community, supporters again stepping up for what's not the end, but only the beginning of a new chapter.

Roy died at age 45 on Oct. 29, 2020, having lived the rest of his life a quadriplegic after the freshman forward was hit 11 seconds into his first shift for Boston University in 1996. One of his final requests was that the Travis Roy Foundation would eventually cease to exist. New to the cause is the center at Spaulding, which launched Oct. 28 and is supported by a $2.1 million grant to help improve independence and quality of life for those with tetraplegia (quadriplegia) while serving their families and caregivers.
"Despite the fact that Travis is no longer with us, it's keeping the flame alive," said Scott Litner, organizer of the annual event. "Unfortunately, every year, people get injured, whether they're walking down the street or playing in a hockey game. It's up to all of us to be there for them and help them any way we can. It's really important to have fun here, but more importantly, you're giving back. Every one of these guys here stepped up meaningfully. They all raise money, and they're all special people."

Thursday was Spaulding president Dr. Ross Zafonte's first Garden visit in more than 25 years. His son, Alex Zafonte, played three seasons at Bowdoin College and was the goalie for Team Black.
"From our perspective, it's really capturing that true hockey saying of going to where the puck will be," Zafonte said. "Travis' dream for people with spinal cord injury was enhancing function, making them independent, making them live a quality life. And it's our work, both in clinical delivery and research, that's transforming lives, providing innovation and going to the next step where things will be, so they can get more people back to their lives and doing the things they love, like watching hockey or participating with their family or being in their community."

Bri Mahoney was the charity game's first female participant. She and onlookers were astonished when Brian Dowd, a skater named player of the game, proposed seconds after recognition.
Bri said yes. For her and Brian, and in the name of Travis Roy, there's always a path to what's next.
"(Travis) was resilient," Dr. Zafonte said. "He kept fighting, and we owe it to him and to those around us to keep pushing a little bit. The scoreboard doesn't always reflect the grind and the hard work, but eventually small wins change lives and I know we can do that. We have a responsibility to deliver better function and innovation for people, and that's ever onward."