Dropping the puck for one of Long Beach’s own, Gerrin Hagen

Gerrin Hagen was a lifelong hockey and lacrosse player in Long Beach. On Jan. 12 last year, he was riding his skateboard along Cantiague Lane in Hicksville after finishing classes for the day at Nassau BOCES’ Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, when he was struck by a Honda SUV. Hagen was rushed to a hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition, but he died the next day.

At a candlelight vigil outside the Emile Francis Memorial Ice Arena for him last year, there was an outpouring of support for Hagen’s family members and friends. Standing at a lectern in front of the crowd, Parks Commissioner Joe Brand held up two fingers, symbolizing the number Hagen wore on his LBHS hockey jersey.

The community continued to honor Hagen and show its support on April 6, with the second annual Gerrin Hagen Memorial Hockey Day, packing the ice arena fully.

In partnership with the FDNY Hockey Team Fundraiser Series and The City of Long Beach, The G2H Foundation welcomed everyone once again after the success and turnout of last year’s inaugural event.

This year’s games were also live-streamed by Long Island Sports Network. There was a morning clinic for younger players, coached by the Farmingdale State College Hockey Team. Afterward, two games followed, started by a puck drop from Legislator Pat Mullaney.

The Nassau County Police Department Hockey Team went up against the Toronto Fire Hockey Club and, following that, was the New York City Fire Department Hockey Team against the Long Beach Guardians Hockey Club.

There was a 50/50 raffle and all proceeds are going toward supporting the work of the G2H Foundation, which is in Hagen’s name.

The foundation supports school, sports and service scholarships and collaborates with athletic programs and community organizations to identify needs, financially assist and promote a “Team First” attitude. The foundation also supports community-based charities, families in need and first responder-related charitable causes.  It’s volunteers serve with kindness, compassion, confidence and friendship honoring Gerrin Hagen’s true spirit, as it says on its website.