Minnesota Hockey Fights Cancer began and continues to move forward because of the impact that cancer has had on the lives of so many. Every season we hear about the fights that so many are going through and this season has been no different.
Becky Adams’ family recently reached out to share her story with us and asked if we would share it with our community. You can support Becky’s fight through her Caring Bridge site today. If your team is looking for someone to support, through your Hockey Fights Cancer game, just register your game today and choose Becky Adams as the individual you are choosing to support.
Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer on Thursday, September 21, 2023. She has been diagnosed with Grade 3, Stage 2b Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Becky will undergo an extensive treatment plan that will include chemotherapy, two surgeries, and radiation.
Becky’s Minnesota Hockey Story
Becky started skating as a Ringette player when she was about 8 years old. She then transitioned to hockey when Girls Hockey became a sport. In the off-season (spring and fall), Becky played on some of the boys’ hockey teams in preparation for the transition from Ringette to Girls Hockey.
Becky played on the Varsity team for Rosemount High School for 5 years (8th grade through senior year). Becky played one year of Division 3 Hockey at University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
Becky has two sons, Brody (age 13) and Jackson (age 11) – both of whom play hockey. Brody played his first year of hockey as a Mini Mite for Rosemount Area Hockey Association. Becky helped coach for that single season in Rosemount. Becky and her family then moved to Bemidji, MN.
The boys have played 7 seasons in Bemidji. Brody is a 2nd year PeeWee and Jack is a 1st year PeeWee. During those 7 seasons, Becky has coached within the Mite and Squirt programs, in both assistant and head coach capacities. In fact, Becky has coached Jackson for the entirety of his hockey career, until this season.
This is the first season that Becky will not be coaching. In addition to coaching, Becky has held numerous other volunteer positions within the BYHA program:
- Hockey Board member and Treasurer for 4.5 yrs
- Hockey Development Committee member 3 years
- Task Force – participated on a task force that completed an in-depth review of BYHA’s program as a whole and created a development plan to continue to bring improvements to the program and its members.
- Paul Bunyan International Hockey Tournament (PBIHT) – Chair of the PBIHT committee, which puts on a premier home tournament for BYHA’s PWAA team and makes donations back to BYHA to help make improvements to the program and the facilities.
- Camp organizer – co-founded the Northern Minnesota Hockey Camp founded in 2019 and continues to sit as the Director as they gear up for their 6th annual camp in August 2024. This camp provides an opportunity for kids to participate in a high-quality development program without having to leave Bemidji, with all of its proceeds going to BYHA and its home rink of Bemidji Community Arena (BCA).
- Tournament/Fundraiser organizer – c o-founded the Spring Ox Showdown, an off-season tournament. This tournament was a world cup style tournament that functioned as a fundraiser for BYHA for 2 years. Also co-founded the Battle at the BCA, another off-season tournament. This tournament was a AAA tournament, hosted by a homegrown AAA team in Bemidji. This tournament also functioned as a fundraiser for BYHA for 2 years.
- Between Camp and the two off-season tournaments, Becky has helped BYHA raise tens of thousands of dollars in revenue, while providing extra opportunities for Bemidji kids to play hockey.
Becky’s treatment plan will take approximately 2 years to complete. Becky will complete her chemotherapy treatment in Bemidji, MN; all other treatment cycles and procedures will be completed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
This is why we fight. Join the fight today.