LYNNFIELD — Residents Alex Gentile and Drew Damiani are bringing back the “Let’s Put ALS on Ice” event for a second time after last year’s event successfully raised more than $70,000 to bring awareness and support those with ALS.
The event will take place Saturday, March 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Warrior Ice Arena on 90 Guest St. It will include a sports memorabilia silent auction and a public family free skate from 2 to 2:30 p.m. with Bruins alumni. A single ticket, including the free skate, is $5, and a family of three or more is $15, including a free skate.
Event partners include the Bourque Family Foundation, the Peter Frates Family Foundation, the Sean M. Healey Center, and the ALS Super Fund.
The movement began in 2025 when Jamie Shepard, Gentile’s uncle, spearheaded the event to honor his brother Jon Shepard, who had ALS.
“My uncle Jon courageously battled with this brutal disease before ultimately passing away. He spent the majority of his life working as a police officer in the town he grew up in, following in my grandfather’s footsteps. My Uncle Jon was an avid hockey fan and player. He even used to occasionally fill in for the Bruins’ practice squad as a goalie when they needed an extra player,” Gentile said.
Gentile noted that his uncle’s love of hockey inspired the idea for the event.
It consists of two teams: the Blue Line Blues, made up of those raising money for the event, and the Boston Bruins Alumni, facing off.
Damiani explained that Jamie Shepard had reached out to the Peter Frates Foundation and Bruins legend and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque to create an event for his brother and further benefit ALS research.
“We used the Bruins Alumni Foundation through Ray Bourque and made a game last year… And we scrimmaged the Bruins alumni, and we’re doing it again this year… We got a lot of money for ALS research, and it was just a really nice event,” Damiani said.
He added that he and Gentile had been friends since they were kids, and that it was heartwarming to raise money for Gentile’s uncle.
“I would never consider not doing this again for him. He doesn’t play hockey, I do, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to do this,” Damiani said. “It’s a very meaningful event, to me, just because of how Alex has been my best friend forever… I really do want to raise a lot of money this year… I want to make sure it’s getting the recognition and funding it deserves.”
Gentile commented on Damiani representing him and his family on the ice.
“As someone who has never played hockey a day in his life, unless we are counting pickup games on Pillings Pond, I was not able to participate in this game. However, I couldn’t think of a better person to represent me, my family, and to honor my uncle than Drew. This event is something that means so much to my family and me,” he said.
Those looking to donate, buy a ticket, or learn about sponsorships can do so at fundraise.givesmart.com/e/osLlDA?vid=1oxh1j
