Diabetes is this year's cause for hockey team

Under the tutelage of Varsity Coach Jim Wood, the Stevenson High School hockey teams play each season for a charitable purpose.

This year, in support of a varsity team player with diabetes and all Stevenson Patriot families affected by diabetes, the Patriots have dedicated their season-long fundraising activities to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The team's goal is to raise in excess of $10,000 for the foundation

Last season, the team raised more than $5,000 for the Christopher Steel Foundation in support of brain tumor research through a variety of activities. Steel, a former Patriot hockey player, died in 2006 at the age of 23 from an inoperable brain tumor.

The season's activities begin at the Patriot's varsity home Metro North League opener vs. Glenbrook South at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Buffalo Grove Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion, 1500 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove. The JV team will play at 8:10 p.m. Steve Olken, radio personality of WSCR 670-AM "The Score," whose two grade school sons have diabetes, will be on hand to drop the ceremonial "first puck."

The Patriots slogan this season will be "Skating for a Cure" and they will wear patches on their jerseys to celebrate this cause.