Sixteen members of the Haverhill Fire Department are ready to face off in a three-game series against first responders including the New York Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard during this weekend’s B-fit Heroes Cup tournament, prepared to bring bragging rights back to the shoe city.
Organizer Gregg Roberts, a 19-year department veteran who works out of the Water Street station tells WHAV his team is prepped and ready to take the ice at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough. They’ve been practicing for several weeks on Thursday nights, many times hitting the ice with members of the Haverhill Police Department, Roberts said.
“The fire department is a lot like a sport. If a certain truck or guy doesn’t do his job, the others can’t succeed,” Roberts said. “It builds camaraderie and that’s the No. 1 goal—to make things easier outside of the rink.”
Haverhill is one of 96 teams from across the country and Canada taking part in the tournament for charity. Roberts, a defenseman, said his group chose to earmark funds for the Boston Bruins foundation, but hopes to keep money local in coming years.
To donate to the fire department’s cause, visit their CrowdRise.com fundraising page.