In the spirit of giving during the holidays, the Weymouth girls’ hockey team has rallied to support a young player in the community.
Carly Silva , 12, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and will be undergoing inpatient care for the next month at Boston Children’s Hospital, followed by two years of ongoing treatment. Her older sisters, Riley , a senior, and Mackenzie , a sophomore, skate for the Weymouth varsity.
The Wildcats have helped captain a growing movement in support of their sister, and the response both locally and nationally has been overwhelming.
“It’s a fantastic community,” said Weymouth girls’ hockey coach Dan McGlone.
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“They don’t know this girl and they don’t know the family. It doesn’t matter what sweater you put on, what town you’re from, what team you’re on, we’re all one when something like this happens.
“I’m fortunate and very proud to be a part of it.”
The Silva family has asked that people from near and far send cards to Carly’s hospital room in time for Christmas. In addition, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help front the medical expenses for Carly’s treatment.
In the hockey community, coaches across the state have appealed to McGlone for ways to help. One of the ideas: a “Chuck-a-Puck” fundraiser that Weymouth and other schools have held to raise money for the Silva family. (Soft foam pucks are numbered, sold to spectators for $1 to $5, and the puck closest to a designated spot on the ice wins a prize.)
“Not only is it putting a smile on their face, it’s also distracting them from what’s going on,” said McGlone.
“The family is learning firsthand what it means to be in a hockey family.”
In Weymouth’s season opener last Saturday, visiting Wellesley players put a strip of green tape on their sticks.
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The solidarity doesn’t stop at the high school level.
Youth teams from the area, college programs, and even a few NHL players — such as Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle, a Weymouth native — have sent well wishes to Carly. Cards and presents have started filling up her hospital room ahead of the holidays.
“It was very hard for all of us but we’re going to get through it as a family,” said Riley Silva. “It’s very helpful with all the support. I know I have a lot of people around that care, it means a lot from everyone.”
Added her sister, Mackenzie: “It’s very heartwarming and it makes me feel grateful that I have such a close and nice community and hockey team.”
Weymouth has also begun raising awareness for lymphoma by wrapping green tape on their stick blades. The Wildcats placed a green ribbon sticker on the backs of their helmets and have dedicated the season to Carly.
“Whatever we can do for that little girl we’re going to do for her,” said McGlone.
“The girls have been sending cards, they’ve made their own card for her. The support that the team is giving the Silva sisters, that sisterhood, that bonding is there for them.”
To send a card in care of Carly Silva: 6 North Room 630, Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115.
Ice chips
■ Framingham senior captain Caroline Stacey will do what it takes if it means the Flyers have a chance at a win — even if it requires playing goal for the first time in her high school career. When injury and illness sidlelined the only two goalies on the Flyers roster, Stacey, a four-year starter on defense, stepped forward.
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In the home opener at Loring Arena, Stacey made 36 saves in a 6-3 loss to Medfield/Norton, including a scoreless second period. The next night against Milton, she made 30 saves in another 6-3 defeat.
“She didn’t look like a kid that just strapped on the pads for the first time on Monday,” said first-year Framingham coach Casey Diana , a 2013 Flyer alum. “She’s not afraid of the puck, she’s not afraid of getting in front of it.”
“She stood on her head, she made some unbelievable saves.”
■ In addition to raising money for the Silva family, Weymouth and Hingham will be playing their annual Christmas Eve game in honor of Officer Michael Chesna , a Weymouth police officer who was killed in the line of duty in July. There have been discussions about moving the 10 a.m. game from Hingham’s Pilgrim Arena to a bigger venue because of the support from both communities.
“It’s probably bigger than any Thanksgiving football game,” said McGlone. “[Hingham coach] Tom Findley , reached out to me and threw the idea by me and it’s going to be an incredible event.”
Games to Watch
Wednesday, Wellesley at Shrewsbury (Northstar Ice Sports, 7:10 p.m.) — Can the reigning Division 2 champs steal a win against a D1 title contender on the road? Shrewsbury’s offense may be too strong for anyone to corral.
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Wednesday, Duxbury at Barnstable (Kennedy Rink, 7:15 p.m.) — Duxbury is a strong team all-around but it faces a tough road test against a motivated Barnstable.
Wednesday, Dennis-Yarmouth at Archbishop Williams (Zapustas Arena, 7:30 p.m.) — The Dolphins visit Zapustas Arena to take on the Bishops in a battle of two explosive offenses.
Saturday, Austin Prep at Archbishop Williams (Zapustas Arena, 12:45 p.m.) — Two of the top teams in the state square off in a Catholic Central showdown.
Saturday, Methuen/Tewksbury at Andover (Breakaway Ice Center, 7:40 p.m.) – The high-scoring Red Rangers take on an Andover team that has not allowed a goal in two games.
Correspondents Jenna Ciccotelli and Lenny Rowe also contributed to this story.