The Crookston Pirate Boys and Girls Hockey teams will be hosting their annual Pirate Hockey Fights Cancer fundraising doubleheader on Saturday, January 24, at the Crookston Sports Center.
The Pirate Boys team will host Fergus Falls at 3:30 p.m., and the Pirate Girls will wrap up their regular season hosting Detroit Lakes in an important Section 8A game at 5:30 p.m.
Last year, Crookston raised over $26,000 for Kari Trudeau and Mickey Kaiser to help with their respective fights against cancer. “Yeah, it’s been pretty amazing to see. Not only just the support from the community, but just from everywhere around the state, people calling and donating and being a part of it,” said Pirate Boys Hockey Coach Josh Hardy. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch it grow. This is our fourth year of it, and I’m excited to help out a really good organization again this year.”
This year, money raised will go to the North Country Horseman’s Trails to Treatment program. North Country Horseman started their cancer benefit and ride in 2008. By 2011, the committee was inspired to administer its own cancer grant program. Initially, grants were $300; they have now increased to $1,000. The grants are awarded to residents fighting cancer in Pennington, Roseau, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake, and Kittson Counties. The first grant was issued on October 5, 2011, and as of December 31, 2025, 2,154 grants have been issued.
“Without anybody directly related to the program in a battle against cancer, we wanted to see if we could help as many people as we could. And Kari Trudeau brought up the North Country Horsemen and the Trails for Treatment grant program, which she and her mom took part in. And it’s an organization that’s out of northwest Minnesota here that provides $1,000 grants to anyone going through cancer treatment right now,” said Coach Hardy. “Since 2011, they’ve given over $1.6 million to local individuals in our area, which is just an incredible number. So meeting with them, talking with them, thought, hey, this is like the perfect combination. And instead of, we can really hopefully make an impact for more than one or two families, but 10, 15, 20 families with our donations.”
There are many ways you can donate to this outstanding cause. There will be 50/50 drawings, chuck-a-puck, custom jerseys, and a custom-made Pirate Hockey quilt made by Erin Thode will be raffled off.
Individuals and businesses can donate by cash, check, or online via the link below.
Support Crookston High School – Minnesota Hockey Fights Cancer 2025-2026 | PledgeIt for Charities
Business sponsorship is available in three different levels –
Bronze Level: $250
Silver Level: $500
Gold Level: $1000
Any business that sponsors will be recognized on social media, in event signage, and during the game over the PA.
Contact Josh Hardy at 218-206-4968 or by email at joshhardy@isd593.org to get your business signed up.
Coach Hardy and the Pirate Hockey teams encourage you to stop by the arena on Saturday, January 24, to enjoy some great hockey and give to an even better cause. “The boys play at 3:30. The girls play at 5:30. So it’s a packed day at the arena. And just come on out,” said Coach Hardy. “There will be ways that you can donate and give here as well. Or just come out and watch some good hockey. So it’s evolved into a pretty big shindig. I’m excited that we’re able to benefit a local organization again this year. And, yeah, it’s going to be a fun time.”
