USA Hockey Foundation

Dallas Watford-Jackson loves to skate. It’s her favorite part of playing hockey.

Like many youngsters learning the game, this 12-year-old spends her Saturdays at the rink playing against her peers, honing her skills and learning life lessons. If it weren’t for SCORE Boston, a Hockey-is-for-Everyone program, Watford-Jackson likely wouldn’t even be on the ice.

“I don’t know if it would be something that our family would have looked into with how expensive hockey can be,” said Dallas’ mother, Deniere Watford-Jackson. “People donating to the program really give a lot of kids a lot of opportunities to get out on the ice and not have to worry about $500 skates or pads. 

“I appreciate those who work behind the scenes and donate time and money to the program, because I look at the kids out on the ice, especially kids of color, who have never even thought about playing hockey. It has opened up a door for kids who may not have grown up with hockey, to try something new.”

The program aims to provide inner-city youth with the opportunity to participate in hockey. Through learning the sport, SCORE Boston also works to teach its young athletes life lessons such as Sportsmanship, Character, Opportunity, Respect and Education – the foundation of the name itself. 

For some students who have experienced the program, SCORE has meant more than a place to learn hockey; it’s become family.

Cedric and Kyle White, twin brothers who grew up playing at SCORE, are two such alumni. Cedric currently works in the same office as one of his former junior coaches in the program. Their mother and grandmother go back and volunteer from time to time and on each occasion, others inquire about the twins. 

“To this day, I’m very grateful for what SCORE has taught me; for what the game of hockey has taught me, with perseverance,” Cedric said. “Being the minority to a game and knowing that you have to persevere to overcome and at some points you may face challenges. But at the end of the day there are people who have your back and are willing to support you, teach you and guide you. That’s one thing that all the coaches at SCORE did; they were very helpful and encouraging.”

Francisco and Geneva Cabral noted a similar experience. Francisco, who is 18 and studies at Northeastern University, tries to visit as often as he can. 

“I've met so many people and made so many connections,” Francisco said. “One of the parents on my first team, he's a referee now, but he helped me get into the high school I went to, which is a pretty competitive school here in Boston. 

“For us, it wasn't people that looked like us, (but) I played in high school and met even more kids. To this day we're still friends. It's opened a lot of doors in our lives.”

From life lessons, to memories of winning that first trophy — Kyle White still has his first goaltending trophy at his parents house — to helping away from the rink, hockey has made a lasting impact on these young athletes’ lives. Each of them simply wants to say thank you to those who made it possible.

“We’re just grateful and thankful,” Cedric said. “Keep on spreading the game of hockey to kids who may not think that it’s for them. To this day we’re thankful for how much this game has changed our lives and how much it’s turned us into the men we are now. Just keep on doing what you’re doing because you’re doing a great job and making a difference within the black and minority communities.”