BOSTON, MA – December 3, 2024 – Massachusetts Hockey, including the Massachusetts Hockey Adaptive Hockey Committee, SCORE Boston, the Boston Bruins, the National Hockey League (NHL), and Hockey East have come together to present the “Pass the Torch Showcase,” a special youth hockey event designed to celebrate the Boston Bruins’ 100th anniversary and encourage diversity and inclusivity in the sport of hockey. The event took place this weekend at the “Pass the Torch Jamboree,” featuring a ceremonial face-off performed by hockey trailblazer Willie O'Ree and Northeastern Men's Ice Hockey Assistant Captain, Jackson Dorrington.

The ceremonial face-off marked the first meeting between Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first Black player who debuted with the Boston Bruins and Jackson Dorrington. This historic moment highlighted the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all players, regardless of background, and set the tone for the “Pass the Torch Showcase.”

The “Pass the Torch Showcase” took place at the historic Matthews Arena at Northeastern University, the home of the Northeastern Huskies. The event featured a series of 3v3 games throughout the day, each team representing a different Hockey East team. 

The event brought together 50 youth hockey players from across New England. These players were selected for their commitment to promoting diversity and sportsmanship in the hockey community.

From this group, 12 players were selected to participate in pre-game show at the Boston Bruins Centennial game versus the Montreal Canadiens. These 12 youth players had the unique honor of “passing the torch” to the next generation of hockey, receiving a pass from legendary Bruins alumni on the ice as part of a memorable and symbolic moment in front of thousands of fans. The Boston Bruins capped off the day with an exciting 6-3 victory over Montreal with all players from the Pass the Torch showcase in attendance. 

To view the entire pre-game ceremony, visit: https://bit.ly/4fSboZA 

As the Boston Bruins and Mass Hockey look forward to the next century, the Pass the Torch showcase shows a bright future where hockey continues to evolve, and embraces new generations of players for the next 100 years and beyond. 

About Massachusetts Hockey: Massachusetts Hockey, Inc., an affiliate of USA Hockey, oversees the development and administration of ice hockey in Massachusetts. Our mission is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for players, referees, and coaches to learn and grow in the sport. With a community of over 50,000 members, Massachusetts Hockey is dedicated to promoting and advancing ice hockey across the state.