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.