Rivera repeats as Hockey Humanitarian Award finalist

His commitment to the annual Stroke Awareness Game has earned Fredonia senior Luke Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) a repeat selection among the five finalists for 24th The Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Inspired by his mother's courage after suffered a stroke nearly 10 years ago, Rivera conceived the idea for the annual game and has been the driving force since its inception three seasons ago. The initiative has resulted in total donation of nearly $30,000 to the Kaleida Health Foundation of Western New York.

The total donation includes the $500 prize Rivera received last year from the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation as one of the five 2018 finalists. He is the lone repeat selection among this year's quintet, which also includes Norwich University senior Cam Beecy, Ohio State senior Tommy Parran, and two University of Wisconsin players, senior Jake Bunz and redshirt senior Annie Pankowski.

The winner will be announced Friday, April 12, in Buffalo during the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four.

"It's absolutely incredible and it's truly an honor," Rivera said when told he again had been chosen as an H.H.A. finalist. "This is amazing to be associated with the award and it means a lot. Seeing how the Stroke Awareness Hockey game has evolved over the last three years means so much to not only me but to the people that have been a part of it and the ones that it helps. To be given the platform to help others is a true blessing."

Fredonia Head Coach Jeff Meredith said the impression Rivera made on him and the Blue Devil men's hockey program began the moment he set foot on campus.

"When Luke committed to Fredonia," Coach Meredith said, "his mindset was that he wanted to make a difference. Most people would construe that as making a difference athletically, but Luke had a bigger picture in mind. He wanted to have an impact in the community and on our campus. As a senior, scheduled to graduate in a few months, it is clear that Luke has accomplished what he set out to do."

Rivera has a sense of what all the other finalists are experiencing, especially that what they have achieved could not have been done alone.

"Along with the process of the HHA," he said, "it's a fun and humbling experience and it's great to see and read about what all the other candidates have achieved as well. In the end, the award is an unbelievable bonus, but what everyone has done to help, on and off the ice, is absolutely incredible."