SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Youth Hockey Association girls varsity team will host a “Grey-Out” Game vs Aberdeen on Sunday, February 15 at Scheels Iceplex to honor former standout goaltender and Brandon native, Riley Vander Esch, as she battles diffuse midline glioma, a very rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Riley has chosen to donate all proceeds from the event to Ronald McDonald House Charities South Dakota.
The Lady Flyers will wear special grey uniforms and all spectators are invited to wear grey, the official color of brain cancer awareness. There will be a special tribute to Riley, silent auction items, and a 50/50 raffle. One of the most decorated goaltenders in South Dakota hockey history, Riley led the Lady Flyers to the South Dakota Girls Varsity Hockey State Championship in 2022 and represented her state with Team South Dakota in the national tournament multiple times. In 2021 and in 2022, Riley was selected as one of the nation’s top goaltenders in her age group when she was invited to attend USA Hockey National Development Camp. Riley is currently a junior goaltender on St. Mary’s University Women’s Hockey Team (NCAA Division 3) in Winona, MN where she is majoring in Sports Management and Accounting. Riley and her family plan to attend the game.
A special “Team Riley” donation page has been set up to make direct donations in Riley’s honor to Ronald McDonald House Charities South Dakota: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/teamriley/ .
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