Today, our Peewee B1 team took to the ice with heavy hearts as they hosted the Eagan Peewee B1 team for a game that was much more than just hockey. This was Eagan Hockey Association’s first game since the tragic loss of Patric Vitek, a beloved member of their hockey community, who passed away this past Friday.

In a powerful display of solidarity and support, we began the day by honoring Patric with a moment of silence. Players, coaches, families, and fans stood together, heads bowed in quiet reflection, paying their respects to a young life lost too soon. It was a moment that transcended rivalry and competition, reminding us all of the deeper bonds within the hockey community.

Both teams wore helmet stickers on the backs of their helmets as a tribute to Patric. These ribbons, a small but heartfelt gesture, symbolize the connection and shared grief between our communities. The Centennial Girls Hockey Association (CGHA) was able to provide Eagan Hockey Association with enough helmet stickers for their entire association. In addition, CGHA’s traveling-level players will proudly wear these ribbons throughout the hockey season, keeping Patric’s memory alive with every shift, every goal, and every victory.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vitek family, Patric’s friends, and the entire Eagan Hockey Association community. No words can truly capture the depth of the loss they are experiencing, but we hope that in coming together, we can offer them some measure of comfort and support during this incredibly difficult time.

The Vitek family has set up a GoFundMe page to help support them through this tragic period. If you can contribute in any way—whether through a donation, sharing the fundraiser, or simply offering your heartfelt thoughts—please consider doing so. Every gesture, big or small, helps in times like these. You can find the fundraiser at the following link: GoFundMe for Patric Vitek.

We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Lettermen Sports for going above and beyond. On short notice, they mobilized their team on a day off to produce and distribute the special helmet stickers for both associations. Their quick and selfless action is yet another example of how communities can come together in times of need.

Thank you to everyone who came out today to show their support, whether in the stands, on the ice, or from afar. It’s days like this that remind us that hockey is more than just a game—it’s about family, community, and being there for one another in times of joy and in times of sorrow.

Our hearts are with the Vitek family and the entire Eagan Hockey community.