Coyotes’ Lyndsey Fry to skate across Valley in honor of Leighton Accardo
Feb 19, 2021, 1:42 PM | Updated: 2:21 pm
Arizona Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) drops the puck in front of Leighton Accardo, middle, who is battling cancer, and Calgary Flames' Mark Giordano (5) during an NHL Fights Cancer puck drop ceremony prior to an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Coyotes director of external engagement and female hockey Lyndsey Fry is roller skating through the Valley this weekend in honor of one of the team’s most devoted fans.
Her Sunday skate, dubbed “Skatin’ for Leighton,” has the goal of raising $49,000 for the Leighton Accardo Scholarship Fund in memory of Coyotes’ superfan Leighton Accardo. As of Friday afternoon, total donations have reached $41,228.
Keep up with @lyndsey_fry_18 on Twitter and Instagram this Sunday as she roller blades 96 miles across the Valley to all of the local ice rinks in honor of our teammate, Leighton Accardo. 💜 pic.twitter.com/rjOuYou0s7
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 19, 2021
Fry will skate 96 miles in total — in honor of the Coyotes’ 25th season in Arizona — with her path covering all the ice rinks in the Valley.
Accardo passed away at the age of 9 on Nov. 24 after battling Stage 4 cancer. She wore No. 49 for the Arizona Kachinas. In 2019, the Coyotes hosted Accardo, signing her to a contract during the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. She was a part of the pre-game on-ice ceremonies, including the ceremonial puck drop.
Fry will start at Phoenix Children’s Hospital before making stops at the seven ice rink locations around the Valley. She’ll then wrap up at Gila River Arena.
All funds raised will aid girls interested in playing hockey in Arizona and continue the memory of Accardo in the Valley hockey community, the Coyotes said in a press release Friday.
