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Playing for AJ: Rusty Blades hosting benefit hockey game for local kid with cancer

tommy cassell, worcester telegram & gazette
·4 min read

WORCESTER — The Rusty Blades are playing for a little more than bragging rights this holiday season.

On Dec. 30, the senior hockey organization based in Central Mass. is hosting a benefit game for AJ Congdon, an 8-year-old from Oxford who recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

The game — featuring players 60 years and older — will take place at Buffone Arena at 6:40 p.m., with all proceeds from $10 ticket sales going to the Congdon family.

“The Rusty Blades wanted to do this, and we are so appreciative and overwhelmed by not just their generosity but so many other people reaching out,” said Jamie Congdon, AJ’s mom. “AJ’s very excited for them to play this game in his honor, and he’s so excited to be there to watch it.

“Seeing everyone there supporting him, he’ll be so happy.”

AJ Congdon, an 8-year-old from Oxford, walks out the center ice before dropping the ceremonial first puck prior to the Worcester Railers' game on Nov. 19 at the DCU Center. Congdon recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
AJ Congdon, an 8-year-old from Oxford, walks out the center ice before dropping the ceremonial first puck prior to the Worcester Railers' game on Nov. 19 at the DCU Center. Congdon recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

A shocking diagnosis

AJ Congdon was at his youth football practice on Sept. 28 when he started to become disoriented.

After being pulled from the field, AJ was taken to UMass Medical Center and a day later an MRI revealed a tumor on his brain stem.

Eight-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. On Dec. 30, the Rusty Blades will hold a benefit hockey game in honor of Congdon at Buffone Arena in Worcester.
Eight-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford recently was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. On Dec. 30, the Rusty Blades will hold a benefit hockey game in honor of Congdon at Buffone Arena in Worcester.

AJ was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma — an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

“It was very shocking,” his mother said.

The energetic and fun-loving kid proceeded to undergo six weeks of radiation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Now, AJ is back in school as a second grader at Dudley Elementary with some potential clinic trials in his future.

Fun-loving 8-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford is a second grader at Dudley Elementary School.
Fun-loving 8-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford is a second grader at Dudley Elementary School.

“He loves going to school, seeing his friends and teachers,” Jamie Congdon said. “His school has been an amazing support system for him. His teachers and classmates have been there for him and supporting him and cheering him on through everything.

“Their positive presence has really kind of helped AJ through the last few months.”

Who are the Rusty Blades?

When members of the Rusty Blades heard of AJ’s diagnosis, from his great uncle and former Blades player Buff Congdon, the senior hockey organization decided to set up a benefit game for AJ.

“I can’t thank the Rusty Blades enough for doing this,” Buff, 76, said. “This was their idea, they called me and said they want to play a game for AJ and it just took off. Those guys are the best. Can’t thank them enough.”

Fran Witkowski, 67, of Leicester yells from the bench during a Rusty Blades practice in April.
Fran Witkowski, 67, of Leicester yells from the bench during a Rusty Blades practice in April.

The Rusty Blades were founded by longtime Telegram & Gazette reporter, the late Joe Capillo, in the 1990s, providing an opportunity for people 60 years and older to play recreational hockey in Worcester on a weekly basis.

“We’re an organization of old-timers that still enjoy the game of hockey and we’re thankful that we — at our ages — can continue to play the game that we love,” said Rich Turcotte, a 69-year-old from West Boylston who hung up his skates in 2019 but still writes a monthly newsletter for the Rusty Blades.

Through the years, the Rusty Blades have hosted benefit games for Relay For Life while raising over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.

This winter, they’re playing for AJ.

Eight-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford dons his baseball uniform during last season.
Eight-year-old AJ Congdon of Oxford dons his baseball uniform during last season.

“I think that’s right in line with what the Rusty Blades are all about,” Turcotte said. “Helping others and pitching in where we can.”

Hockey community rallies around AJ

Two days before his final radiation treatment, AJ Congdon found himself on center ice at the DCU Center ahead of a Worcester Railers game last month.

Donning an orange and blue Railers cape on Super Hero Sunday, the avid skier performed the ceremonial puck drop before taking pictures with Railers assistant captain Blade Jenkins and Trax the mascot.

AJ Congdon dropped the ceremonial first puck prior to the Worcester Railers game on Nov. 19
AJ Congdon dropped the ceremonial first puck prior to the Worcester Railers game on Nov. 19

“It was amazing. It really was,” AJ’s mother said. “He just has always, ever since he was young, thrived on being in the (middle) of everything.”

Next Saturday, AJ will once again be on center ice performing the ceremonial puck drop in a benefit game held in his honor.

Donate now: GoFundMe page set up for AJ Congdon and his family

It’s been a difficult few months for the 8-year-old from Oxford, but the ongoing support from the community — and hockey world — has meant the world to AJ and his family.

Railers assistant captain Blade Jenkins, right, hands the puck to AJ Congdon, who ceremonially dropped it at center ice Nov. 19.
Railers assistant captain Blade Jenkins, right, hands the puck to AJ Congdon, who ceremonially dropped it at center ice Nov. 19.

“We’ve been a part of this community for so long, and we’ve known how great this community is,” Jamie Congdon said. “To feel the effects not only from people around us, but people who have heard AJ’s story and want to donate and give, just speaks to how great this area is and the community makes us very appreciative of everyone we have in our life and everyone there to support our son.”

“He’s a great kid. He’s a real character,” Buff Congdon said. “We need all the help we can get. We want everybody at this game.”

— Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: AJ Congdon will be honored at benefit game hosted by Rusty Blades