Friends, family and former teammates gathered to play a fundraising hockey game in the name of Billy Raftery of Pearl River Wednesday at Sport-O-Rama in Monsey.
Raftery, who played hockey when he was a student at Pearl River High School, was only 21 when he died Oct. 16, 2011. Ryan Curtiss of Pearl River and Brian Casey organized the game, which they hope to make an annual event. All money raised goes to the Pearl River High School ice hockey program.
All of the players wore Raftery's number 10.
Bill Raftery, Billy's father, and Tommy Boer coached a team that included Brian Boer, Pat Heraghty, Brian Casey, Chris Dehnert, Brendan O'Dea, J.P. Shea, Tommy Pennisi, Tom Conway, Pat Toal, Ryan Deis, Brian Del Savio, Anthony D'Amelio, Seamus Woods, Connor Doran, Shane Keetley, Jake Vormittag, Matt Servello, Andrew Nicodema, John Tell and Jimmy McManus.
Kenny Curtiss coached a team made up with Joe Spar, Ryan Curtiss, Paul Moreau, Mike HIckey, John Garcia, Joe Surace, Chris Varmon, Steven Williams, Mike McElligot, Ryan McMorrow, Nick D'Amelio, Mickey Pennisi, Ryan Toal, Tommy Phillips, Kenny Flynn, Luke Brennan, Petey Blickely, Tom Cormody and Matt Del Rosso.
Thanks to Michele Pottberg, Billy Raftery's cousin, for sharing this story and pictures from the game.
Friday's Schedule
- Pearl River boys basketball at Nanuet, 4 p.m.
- Pearl River girls basketball at home against Nanuet, 4 p.m.
Saturday's Schedule
- Pearl River ice hockey vs. North Rockland at Sport-O-Rama, 7 p.m.
- Pearl River wrestling at Scardsdale and Shoreline (New Rochelle) Tournaments, 9 a.m.
Share Sports Results, Pictures on Patch
Coaches, parents and other followers of Pearl River athletics, please send scores and information to ryan.buncher@patch.com or upload your pictures directly to stories about games as they are posted on Pearl River Patch.
Don't forget this can include youth sports as well as updates on local athletes as they compete on the college level.
