The Hobart and William Smith ice hockey teams will be teaming up on Saturday, Jan. 31, for a Hockey Fights Cancer Night when the Statesmen take on Potsdam at 4 p.m. and the Herons take on Buffalo State at 7 p.m. for a doubleheader at The Cooler.
 
The Hockey Fights Cancer initiative unites the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families and aims to continue to create awareness about the need for support for all affected by cancer. Hockey Fights Cancer was founded in 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association.
 
Throughout the week and at Saturday's games, the William Smith hockey team will be selling raffle tickets and collecting donations. The team will be tabling in Scandling Center from 11-1:30 p.m. on Thursday and in the lobby at The Cooler on Saturday. Raffle items donated by local businesses include a William Smith Athletics basket, a Water Street Café Gift Card, a one-night stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites and much more.
 
Fans can fill out "I Fight For" signs at the rink. William Smith will also wear Hockey Fights Cancer stickers on their helmets and use purple stick tape.
 
The Herons also held a Hockey Fights Cancer Night in March of 2024. William Smith raised $6,314 to donate to the American Cancer Society for that event.
 
On Friday night, the Herons will be in Buffalo at 3 p.m. and the Statesmen will host Canton at 7 p.m.