Lavender, which represents awareness for all forms of cancer, will be incorporated into the game in several ways. Players will take the ice for warmups in special-edition lavender Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys, as well as using lavender stick tape and laces pregame. Bruins coaches, management, and broadcasters will all wear lavender Hockey Fights Cancer ties and pins to show their support.
Thursday's anthem will be performed by Greg Chastain, President and Founder of Voices of Hope. Chastain started the organization after the loss of his mother to pancreatic cancer in 2009 to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, while also sharing a passion for the performing arts. Since then, Voices of Hope has gained over 150 volunteers and has donated close to $900,000 to cancer research through their theatrical program.
Sergeant Wesley Black, a veteran of the U.S. Army who passed away on November 11, 2021, will be the recipient of the 8-Spoked Salute for Thursday's game. Black served in the military for six years before being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer with metastasis to his liver. During his treatments, he worked to pass legislation in the Vermont Senate to assist veterans with cancer diagnoses from their time in the Armed Forces. Throughout his career, he was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, and countless other accolades. Sergeant Black's family, including his six-year-old son Ronan, will be at the game Thursday for the Salute.
Additionally, the Bruins will honor the 'Men in Blades,' Jake Adkins and Andrew Walker,both hockey players at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Adkins's mother was diagnosed with Hodgkins's lymphoma in 2014, and Walker's grandfather passed from cancer when he was a child. Both men recently rollerbladed from Boston to Adkins's mother's hometown in Mason, Michigan, in order to raise over $30,000 to donate towards the American Cancer Society.
Fans will have the opportunity to fill out 'I Fight For' cards by visiting staff tables behind Loge 7, Loge 15, and Loge 318. The cards can be displayed during the 2nd period, when the Bruins take a moment to honor those fighting or who have fought cancer.
The ProShop, powered by '47, will have exclusive Hockey Fights Cancer merchandise available for fans to show their support, including t-shirts, hats and pucks. Fans can shop at the store on the Hub on Causeway or online at BostonProShop.com.
The Boston Bruins Foundation will host a 50/50 Raffle, presented by DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports, that will support the Cam Neely Foundation. The Cam Neely Foundation is an organization that provides comfort, support, and hope to cancer patients and their families.
Additionally, the Boston Bruins Foundation will auction off the special-edition lavender, player-signed jerseys from warmups. The auction will run from February 10 until February 17, while an in-person raffle will be held for Curtis Lazar's jersey at the Foundation table during the game. An online raffle will also run from February 10 until February 17 for Brandon Carlo's jersey.
The 50/50 Raffle will run until the beginning of the third period and is available to fans at BostonBruins.com/5050. Bids for the online auction can be placed at BruinsAuction.org and the online raffle for Carlo's jersey is available at BruinsRaffle.com.
