Pictured left to right: Jenessa Gazdik, JuliAnna Gazdik, Ella Boerger and Maddie Brown from the women’s ice hockey team at the University of St. Thomas present a check for the money raised from the inaugural Maddie’s Magic Skates Hockey Camp. Photo credit: Pliable MarketingCollege hockey players host camp for Cancer Kids Fund at Children’s Minnesota
ANDOVER, Minn. (August 27, 2026) – On August 21, Maddie Brown and her college teammates from the University of St. Thomas hosted the inaugural Maddie’s Magic Skates hockey camp at the Andover Community Center. The event raised awareness and funds for the Cancer Kids Fund at Children’s Minnesota.
“I’m grateful we had the opportunity to bring together our community and raise awareness and funds for such a great cause. Children’s Minnesota does amazing work and through my volunteering there with my teammates, I have seen first-hand the impact they have on the kids and their families. No one should have to fight cancer alone which is why this cause is so important to me. I am looking forward to doing more events this season to help support the Cancer Kids Fund,” said Brown, member of the University of St. Thomas women’s ice hockey team and former Andover Husky.
The camp included on-ice sessions with the athletes Maddie Brown, Ella Boerger, JuliAnna Gazdik, and Jenessa Gazdik. The campers also had a chance to participate in off-ice training with the four women’s college hockey players including agility drills and games, including kickball.
As part of the fundraiser, there was an auction that included items from PWHL star Britta Curl-Salemme, as well as tickets for the Minnesota Frost and the University of St. Thomas.
Brown, 21, who is studying to be a physician, created the Maddie’s Magic Skates fundraising program with Children’s Minnesota has raised more than $2,000 since starting the initiative last season. She plans to raise $15,000 and continue to work with her teammates and the University of St. Thomas on more ways to support the Cancer Kids Fund, including volunteering, toy drives and more.
Brown and Boerger both played at Andover High School where they had an undefeated season and won a state championship together in 2022. In 2023, the Huskies lost in the Championship game to Gentry Academy, and Boerger was named the Let’s Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award winner.
To learn more about the Maddie’s Magic Skate’s initiative, visit https://join.childrensmn.org/give-today-support-tomorrow/maddies-magic-skates.
Pictured: Maddie Brown and Ella Boerger provide instruction for the children at the Maddie Brown Magic Skates Hockey Camp in Andover. Photo credit: Pliable Marketing.
