FILE PHOTO
The Swampscott hockey team will host a fundraiser on Monday night for Nathan DeRoche, pictured above.
By SCOT COOPER
SWAMPSCOTT — When the Swampscott High hockey team hits the ice to take on the Lynn Jets at Salem State Monday night, the team will not be wearing its usual home whites.
The Blue will be wearing special green jerseys as part of a fundraising effort for Nathan DeRoche.
DeRoche, a seventh grader, who played goalie for the middle school team last season and is also a member of the Vipers hockey team, is suffering from T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. The color green is used to promote lymphoma awareness.
In addition to the Big Blue going green, Swampscott Little League donated 200 NATHAN STRONG T-shirts to raise funds for the DeRoche family. All proceeds from Monday night’s hockey game and the sales of the shirts will go to the DeRoche family.
Big Blue coach Gino Faia said he’s very happy to have his team involved, and having the fundraiser when the Jets are the opponents works out well. DeRoche played for the Lynn Comets while he was in youth hockey.
“We’re having a Green-Out Monday night, it’s all for a great cause and a great kid,” Faia said. “He was the goalie for the middle school team last year, just a great kid, we’re glad our team can be part of this.”
Jets coach Joe Conlon said he’s glad his team is also involved in the game and the fundraising effort.
“We’re happy to be involved, all the credit goes to Swampscott hockey for getting this put together,” Conlon said. “We’re looking forward to taking part in the game, he played youth hockey in Lynn, they’ve got a great program and we’re happy to help out any way we can.”
In addition to his duties in the net, DeRoche was a member of the 2016 District 16 All-Star Little League champions. DeRoche’s manager, Steve Correnti, said that Nathan’s a special kid.
“He played third for us, he pitched and played a little outfield for us,” Correnti said.
“The people at Athlete’s Corner really stepped up and got us the shirts, and of course you have to give a lot of credit to the Swampscott hockey boosters, The Blue Line Club,” he said.
Lou Olivieri, who is on the Swampscott Little League board, said that the plan is to have Nathan come out and drop the ceremonial puck before the game kicks off at 7:30, if he is able to.
“We’ve got the shirts, and we’ll be donating the gate from Monday’s game, so hopefully the place will be packed,” Olivieri said. “People can also go to the NATHANSTRONG Facebook page to find out how to help, and we’re also raising money with Bruins tickets.”
The Big Blue will present the DeRoche family with green game jerseys, as part of the pre-game ceremonies.
“We’re small town and we stick together, we’re happy to help out Nathan this way,” Correnti said. “Swampscott Little League and the town athletic programs have helped in the past, and we will continue to do so when the need arises.”
