On April 3, 2011, Mandi Schwartz, daughter of Rick and sister of Jaden, passed away from cancer. It was in Buffalo, on Dec. 28, 2010, when Mandi and Jaden shared a tough conversation. That day, Jaden suffered a broken ankle during Canada's World Junior game against the Czech Republic. After the game, Jaden and Mandi spoke over the phone. Jaden told Mandi that he would miss the rest of the tournament because of the injury and Mandi informed Jaden that her cancer had spread, causing doctors to cease further treatment.
Fast forward to Saturday on what would have been Mandi's 30th birthday. As fate would have it, Rick was in Buffalo and had the chance to watch a different No. 17.
The Metropolitan Riveters and the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) faced off at the Sabres practice facility - the HarborCenter - on Saturday afternoon. The Riveters feature forward Bray Ketchum, a former teammate of Mandi's at Yale. Bray also wears No. 17 in honor of Mandi, and Rick was able to join her parents, Tom and Pauline, to take in today's action.
