Area hockey game raises $2,769 for Hannah's Hope Fund

PLATTSBURGH | Hope unites communities, and Beekmantown's boys hockey program has done exactly that with Hannah's Hope Fund (HHF) for over a decade. The Eagles raised $2,769 for HHF during their 11th fundraiser game against Plattsburgh High on Saturday, Jan. 4 at Stafford Ice Arena. HHF was started by Lori and Matt Sames following the Giant Axonal Neuropathy diagnosis of their youngest daughter, Hannah, in March 2008. The rare genetic disorder affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. "I think it just shows what the North Country's all about," said Justin Frechette, Beekmantown's administrator of athletics and boys hockey head coach. "Having gone through a personal tragedy in our own family, I know support and what that does for a family. Hannah's legacy and her fight and all the things that she represents is everything you want in a hockey player and in your hockey team. "To see the crowd that we had tonight and the support over the last 11 years has just been truly remarkable. But I think it's really a reflection of the North Country. I think we rally around one another when the chips are down. "I know it means a lot to her family, and it means a lot to our program, and I can't believe we're over a decade here in doing this." Frechette said the fundraiser is a yearlong effort that's spearheaded by Reagan Tetreault. "Hats off to Reagan Tetreault," Frechette said. "She's been a mom in our program over the years. Her son, Robert, was a captain of ours. For us to have our former parents and people in our community still involved in this night is truly remarkable. "I can't tell you how many varsity teams at Beekmantown all contributed raffle baskets, so it's now become a whole school community that's rallied around tonight." Beekmantown's Edward Sweenor, only a sophomore, has already posted 35 goals and 43 assists across his brief varsity career. This is his second season experiencing the HHF game. "It feels really good to play a game that supports someone who really needs it and helps their family keep going," Sweenor said. "The community is always great about helping out with that. I think everybody looks forward to it. "Everybody's ready to come out and support the cause." Tetreault said Hannah called while event organizers were overseeing fundraising in the lobby. She'll be getting a treatment this summer to hopefully restore her voice, and if everything goes well, she's coming back to the event next year to sing The Star-Spangled Banner. BEEKMANTOWN 4 PLATTSBURGH HIGH 2 PLATTSBURGH | On the ice, the Eagles responded from a 2-1 deficit in the first period with three unanswered goals. Sweenor recorded a hat trick, and Novak Jarus iced the CVAC contest with an even-strength tally. Sweenor totaled four points, including a power-play goal, while sophomore goaltender Jack Bell saved 29-of-31 shots faced. The Hornets' Cooper Holland tied the game at 1-1 with 13:05 left in the first period, and Braeden Calkins supplied Plattsburgh High with a 2-1 advantage as 11:42 showed on the scoreboard. Owen Chapple piled up 29 saves in net.

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Area hockey game raises $2,769 for Hannah's Hope Fund

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