Acton-Boxborough Hockey Teams Hold Fundraiser For Former Coach

ACTON, MA — Acton-Boxborough athletes are coming together to help their former coach an they're doing it one game at a time. The Acton-Boxborough ice hockey teams are raising money for former boy's ice hockey coach Rick Doucette, who is battling cancer for the second time.

The teams decided to dedicate the next hockey game to supporting Doucette and raising money for his treatment. The night was renamed "Hockey Fights Cancer" and will feature both the boys and girls teams support for Doucette. The boys hockey team will wear lavender ties representing Hockey Fights Cancer. There will also be a bake sale done by the girls ice hockey team to raise money.

Due to weather conditions, the game was postponed to Feb. 5 and starts at 6 p.m. at Nashoba Valley Olympia Rink in Boxborough.

Lavender ribbons will be available to show support of a loved one, and a "I support________" board will be set up for those to write a name of a loved one battling or whom has past due to cancer.

Doucette had coached hockey for over 30 years. He was so etched into the lives of students, the community put together a GoFundMe in addition to the Hockey Fights Cancer night, to raise more money. The GoFundMe page is full of quotes from current and former athletes, coaches and friends.

"Coach told me he does it 'all for the kids'. He's one of the most selfless guys I've ever met and would do anything to help us get better and succeed." reads one quote from Jack Bartle, a current Acton-Boxborough student.

"His positive attitude and presence has been missed this season, but I can tell through our texts and phone calls that his passion remains the same," reads another quote from varsity coach Kevin Richardson, "We are here to support him through this battle and ask him to stay strong and keep fighting."

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