Montclair Blues player turns his love of hockey into hope for families facing cancer.

Some hockey players measure success by goals, assists, or championships.

For 15-year-old Ryan Amendola, success is measured a little differently.

This summer, the Montclair Blues player completed 111 laps—more than 11 miles— at Montclair State Ice Arena during his fourth annual Blades Against Cancer skate-a-thon, raising more than $8,000 for lung cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Every stride had a purpose.

Every lap honored someone he loved.

A Grandmother Who Meant Everything

Ryan was just 10 years old when he lost his grandmother, Patty Piegaro, to lung cancer.

She wasn’t just his grandmother.

She was someone who picked him up after school, taught him how to cook, took him to the playground, and made sure he always felt loved.

“My grandmother was special to me because I would always see her when I was little,” Ryan says. “She taught me how to cook, she took me to the playground, and I just always remember feeling loved by her.”

Although Patty never had the chance to watch Ryan play hockey, she continues to inspire every season he plays.

“I didn’t want other kids to go through what I went through.”

“I know that my grandmother would have come to every game that I had,” Ryan says. “So I thought skating in memory of her was a good idea.”

Turning Heartbreak Into Hope

After losing his grandmother, Ryan wanted to do something meaningful.

He knew firsthand how devastating cancer can be for a family.

“My grandmother had lung cancer, and no one even knew to test for it before it was too late because she never smoked,” he says. “It was a hard time for me and my family, and I just don’t want other kids to have to go through what I went through.”

In 2022, Ryan created Blades Against Cancer, combining his growing love of hockey with a desire to give back.

What began as a small skate with friends and family has grown into an annual community fundraiser supporting cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Each year, Ryan has expanded the event, reaching out to local businesses, raising awareness online, and inviting more people to skate alongside him.

This year marked his biggest fundraiser yet.

Hockey Became the Way He Gives Back

Ryan didn’t grow up dreaming about hockey.

In fact, he laughs that it all started after playing an NHL video game with his dad.

“I thought it looked fun, so I wanted to try it.”

Four years later, hockey has become much more than a sport.

Over the years, Ryan has continued to develop his game at Montclair State Ice Arena through clinics, lessons, and house league, and this season he’ll take another step in his journey as a member of the Montclair Blues.

While his skating has improved, it’s what hockey has taught him away from the rink that matters most.

“I learned that I have a passion for helping others and that I can use my talents to do it,” Ryan says. “Anyone can be a helper.”

One Hundred and Eleven Laps

Completing 111 laps wasn’t easy.

Ryan admits the challenge really began around lap 50.

“I was trying to stay in it because 111 laps is pretty hard to do,” he says. “But I kept pushing to get it done.”

When he crossed the finish line, he wasn’t thinking about being tired.

He was thinking about his grandmother.

“The last lap was important because this year I hit over $8,000, and when I carried the flowers for her at the end, that was very important to me.”

It was another milestone for Blades Against Cancer—and another way to honor Patty’s memory.

More Than Hockey

At Montclair State Ice Arena, hockey is about more than developing great players.

It’s about building confidence.

Character.

Resilience.

Community.

Ryan’s story is a powerful reminder that the lessons learned through sports can inspire young athletes to make a difference far beyond the rink.

His next goal?

To raise $10,000 next year.

He also hopes to continue playing hockey through high school and college before one day working in the NHL.

But perhaps Ryan’s greatest achievement has nothing to do with hockey at all.

When asked what he hopes people take away from his story, his answer was simple.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are. Anyone can help others. I started Blades Against Cancer because I miss and love my grandmother and because I care about other kids who might have to deal with grandparents who are diagnosed with cancer. All you have to do to help someone is care—and then go do it.”

A special thank you to Diane Giangerco for capturing and sharing these photos from the 2026 Blades for Cancer Event.