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05/26/2022
The Boston Bruins and Mass General Brigham/Wentworth Douglass Hospital donated $1,000 worth of hockey equipment to the Somersworth Recreation Department as part of a youth hockey clinic led by former Boston Bruins goalie Andrew Raycroft on May 24.
Raycroft and the Boston Bruins Youth Hockey Development Team held the ‘Learn to Play’ clinic at Jules Bisson Park. The clinic featured approximately 50 local street hockey players, ages 5 through 12. Bruins mascot, Blades, also joined the fun.
The Somersworth Recreation Department received $1,000 in donated Franklin street hockey gear, as well as custom Bruins and Massachusetts General Brigham pinnies, banners, and other team equipment for hosting the clinic.
The gear will be used in future activities for youth at the Somersworth Recreation Department.
“We know how hard it is to get the gear, and get to the rink, and get the ice time,” Raycroft said. “For me, growing up, it was street hockey. We get out after school, we'd come and play on the roads, play in the parks, and that's the best part of hockey. And it's all about the kids. But again, it doesn't work without the sponsors helping us out.”
The clinic was a result of a partnership between the Boston Bruins Youth Hockey Development Team and Mass General Brigham/Wentworth Douglass Hospital.
“Bringing these clinics to youth in our communities with a great partner like Mass General Brigham is what we love to do. For many of these kids this is the first time they get the chance to play hockey. We hope this fosters more interest in our sport and helps keep them active and healthy,” said Raycroft.
Parents that attended the clinic were grateful for the donated equipment, noting that there are kids from low-income families that may not of had a chance to try hockey otherwise.
“It's nice to be able to get some of the kids out there and participating in a sport that could be pretty expensive,” said Somersworth parent Victoria Perkins.
The Somersworth clinic was the last of four clinics held throughout the spring and the only one held in New Hampshire. Other clinics were held in the Massachusetts communities of Roxbury, Lynn, and Amherst.
Mass General Brigham is the Official Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Provider for the Boston Bruins, and this year Mass General Brigham joined the Boston Bruins for the 2021-22 Playoffs presented by Mass General Brigham. For more than 50 years, Bruins players have been treated by Mass General Hospital clinicians. To learn more about sports medicine programs and services from Mass General Brigham visit www.sportsmedicine.massgeneralbrigham.org