Coyle busy on charity game circuit back in Boston

With his grandfather and great grandfather both serving with the Weymouth, Massachusetts Police Department, Charlie Coyle was one of thousands devastated when Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and innocent bystander Vera Adams were fatally shot earlier this summer.

So when organizers of Thursday's charity hockey game between the town's police and fire departments -- featuring NHL players on both sides -- reached out to the Minnesota Wild forward about participating, he was more than happy to oblige.

"You never want to see that anywhere, and when it happens in your hometown ... it's a little more real, I think," said Coyle, a Weymouth native, who also took part in a Boston University-Boston College alumni game Friday night. "That's the worst fear of every family member who was a cop in their family; that stuff is crazy, and it could happen any day, but what's really cool is how everyone came together. The hockey community is so small, and with the Weymouth community it's same thing."
The inaugural "Hold the Line" game raised funds in the memories of Chesna and Adams. Emanuel Lopes has been charged with using Chesna's gun to shoot and kill both victims July 15.
Much like he does at Wild events throughout the season, Coyle stuck around long after the final whistle Friday to sign hats, youth hockey jerseys and other memorabilia for many of the 900 fans at Big Ice Arena in Kingston, Massachusetts.
"That's least we can do for what's a terrible situation," Coyle said. "Everyone coming together like that shows what Weymouth and what the hockey community is, too."

A night later, Coyle was back in his Boston University red and white for the "Comm Ave Charity Classic" benefiting the Travis Roy Foundation and ALS Foundation. Former Terriers and Boston College players squared off for the fourth straight year; proceeds went to former hockey player Travis Roy's organization that supports patients and families affected by spinal cord injuries, and ALS awareness and research. Ice Bucket Challenge founder and Boston College alum Pete Frates, who suffers from ALS, helped organize the event, Coyle said.
"That's always a fun game," Coyle said. "We got a bunch of guys to come out and raise a bunch of money for a couple great causes; it's always pretty successful."
Coyle said he has one more week in his hometown before returning to the Twin Cities for captains' practices ahead of training camp, which begins in the middle of September.