With every save that Thomas Stulgis made during the month of October he did more than just help his Ithaca Youth Hockey team move one step closer to its goal of punching their ticket to the New York State Tournament. He also helped support those who are battling cancer close to home and around the country.

A goalie with the 14 &Under AA squad, Stulgis is part of an army of goaltenders around the country who participate in the October Saves Goalie Challenge. During the campaign, youth hockey goalies are encouraged to have family, friends, coaches and teammates pledge money for each save they make during the month with the proceeds benefitting some of the country’s leading cancer research organizations. 

Prior to the start of the month, Stulgis reaches out to family friends, neighbors and teammates’ families to solicit donations, which can range from a specific amount per save to a flat rate for the month. 

“There have been people from my work that have donated because they’ve been affected by cancer,” said his father, Jeff. “It’s been a really good fundraiser and Thomas has been really into it every year.” 

According to the October Saves website, New York goaltenders raised $36,000 during this year’s campaign, which was the sixth highest amount among participating states. 

Participating goaltenders not only get the satisfaction of helping others through their on-ice efforts, but they can also win prizes ranging from goalie equipment to skates. Goalies who raise at least $1,700 are entered into a raffle to win a free week of Mitch Korn Goalie Camp in the city of their choice.  

This marked the fourth year Stulgis has participated in the campaign, upping his save percentage and the amount of money he’s raised each season. This year he raised more than $2,300 after making a total of 284 saves over the course of 10 games. That works out to $8.35 for each save he made. 

As the only goaltender in the association to participate in the campaign, Stulgis has the support of his teammates, not only because his efforts are helping the team win more games, but given his puck-stopping prowess this season, those who have pledged money have taken notice on how well he’s done. 

“One of my friends mentioned it in class, talking about how his mom was losing a lot of money because I was making so many saves,” Stuglis said with a laugh.  

According to Lara Hopewell, the driving force behind October Saves, since becoming a national program in 2017 the campaign has grown both in terms of the number of goaltenders who have participated and the amount of money they have raised. 

“We are so incredibly proud and inspired by our goalie families and the communities that support them. They have embraced this effort and ran with it,” Hopewell said.  

“The money has already reached the hands of our amazing beneficiaries on the front lines of fighting cancer, and I can tell you, they are so incredibly thankful for our netminders.” 

A number of NHL teams have also participated in the challenge.

Participating in the campaign not only makes him feel good about helping others, but it hits close to home for Stulgis. According to his father, his grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. 

“I think a lot of people probably suffer from cancer and so you might as well do everything you can to help them,” said Stulgis, who also recorded two shutouts during the month. “I mean, I get to do that and have fun at the same time, so it’s a win-win.”