A local hockey all-star's fundraiser is soaring to new heights.
Ryan Tattle, the outgoing captain of the Coquitlam Express, is getting closer to a major milestone in his season-long fundraiser for cancer research — $100,000.
As of April 17, a total of $94,862 has been tallied for the Port Moody product's Score For Cancer campaign.
The update was announced on Tuesday (May 3), more than three weeks after the Express were eliminated from the 2022 BCHL playoffs in seven games by the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Tattle, who partnered with the Tri-Cities hockey club and the Canadian Cancer Society to make the fundraiser possible, has set a deadline of June 1 for donations, which will officially cap off his Junior 'A' career on and off the ice.
His mother has had a brush with cancer, as well as former teammate Greg Lapointe in his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The NCAA-committed athlete to the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in the fall believes no one should have to live in fear as the Canadian Cancer Society says one in two people is diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Ryan Tattle and his campaign Score for Cancer has raised $94,862 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
— Coquitlam Express (@BCHLExpress) May 3, 2022
The donation link will be avaibale until June 1st at https://t.co/CSNwbA0d6a - let's help Ryan raise $100,000! pic.twitter.com/9J7hqzCPsp
"It's been overwhelming. I expected it to do well, but I'm extremely overwhelmed by the support I've got from family and friends, even guys across the league," said Tattle in an earlier interview with BCHL Podcast.
"It's been heartwarming and I'm extremely proud and I'm excited."
The root of the 20-year-old's campaign began with people making regular donations for each point he recorded in his senior year.
He finished with 60 points in 52 games, including 23 goals and 37 assists, which was the most among Coquitlam Express players and 12th in the BCHL for the 2021-22 season.
Tattle kept the train rolling in the playoffs with six points in seven games, highlighted by a hat-trick on home ice in Game Four against the Chiefs.
The Coquitlam Express also raised $20,011.96 in one night after dedicating their Feb. 26 home game versus Victoria to Tattle's cause, which included auctioning off special game-worn jerseys.
Tattle took advantage of the opportunity by scoring four in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit and claim a 6-3 victory at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
If you wish to make a contribution to the campaign, you can visit Tattle's Score for Cancer website.
