Cranston Hockey League: A Community Uniting For A Cause

Christian Martinelli

There are times when a community has to come together in the face of adversity. This just so happens to be that moment for the people living in the greater Cranston area.

The Cranston Street Hockey League has been a staple of the community since the early 1960s. The league is located at 625 Dyer Avenue in Cranston, and they play on their outdoor rink no matter if it’s rain or shine. Many of the guys playing today have been there for over a decade, like Dave Goodnow who is helping organize a fundraiser they’re having for one of their own.

Jeff Fontes is known to be, “One of those guys you want to be around. A comical, funny guy, friends with everybody...” Unfortunately for the Fontes family, and the Cranston Street Hockey Community, he was diagnosed a few months ago with stage three stomach cancer with masses found on his testicles, liver, stomach, and lungs.

This news was shocking to everyone, “He’s always been a very healthy guy. It started with testicular and back pain which brought him into the hospital, and they did a scan and found the stomach cancer.”

Jeff Fontes has been playing in the CSHL for over a decade on the Rhode Island Rage Dek Hockey Team. It means so much to him that he has two hockey sticks and his number twenty-three tattooed on his chest.

Jeff is a family man, and he’s been bringing his young son, Sebastian, down to the rink for a few years now. He loves to watch his dad dominate and play too.

These treatments could hurt the chances of Jeff possibly adding to his family with his wife Kimberly, but they could also save his life.

Fontes isn’t letting his prognoses hold him back, as he helped pick the teams for the first annual Jeff Fontes Fundraiser Tournament.

The tournament will consist of over 100 street hockey players from around the state coming together to raise funds for the Fontes family.

Currently he is going through cycles of chemotherapy treatment. The cost has become exorbitant on the family.

Eventually it is planned for Fontes to have his tumor removed, and possibly even his testicles to rid the awful disease.

Goodnow, a long time friend and teammate of Fontes is spearheading the fundraiser, and trying to reach out to as many people and businesses in the community that are willing to help out.

The fundraiser is taking place on April 13th, at 625 Dyer Avenue in Cranston. The tournament will start at 8 AM and go into the early evening. There will be over twenty raffles from great local businesses, donations, delicious food, and lots of fun entertaining dek hockey for the family.

All proceeds will be going directly to the family. There’s a $45 entry fee per team, and any additional donations are greatly appreciated.

Everyone playing in the tournament will not only have Jeff on their minds, but also on their backs. “Fontes #23” will be stitched onto every jersey.

To help support Jeff and his family in his fight please contact Dave Goodnow at 401-525-0233, [email protected], or venmo him any donations @dgoodnow77. If you would like to donate or volunteer, please visit on Saturday, April 13th and help a great family in our community battling through the toughest of times.

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

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