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WILKES-BARRE — Several dozen hockey players, young and old, from across the Wyoming Valley came Saturday out to honor one of their own.

The third annual Brian “B-Mad” Madry scholarship games were played at the Toyota Sportsplex on Coal Street. Madry died in July 2011 when a car driven by a friend crashed on a dirt road in Fairview Township.

“He played in a travel league too,” Madry’s mom, Carolyn, said of her son, as she became emotional in her recollections. “Straight A student.”

According to Times Leader records, Adam Fredmund had crashed a 2004 Kia Optima on Lake Road, an isolated road in the Glen Summit section, early in the morning on July 18, 2011. Then 16-year-old Brian, of Wright Township, was a passenger. An autopsy determined he died of multiple traumatic injuries, authorities had said.

Now, Brian is remembered for his love of hockey through the annual scholarship games.

Madry’s father, Daniel, said Brian had been playing hockey since he was a little kid.

“He was 3 and on roller blades,” Daniel said, noting the progression from street hockey in New York, where the family formerly lived, to playing ice hockey for Crestwood School District.

Three years ago, Carolyn said, Crestwood coaches approached her and her husband to keep Brian’s memory alive by giving out scholarships. And an easy way to do that was through scrimmage hockey games.

“It’s great to think they thought so much of him,” Carolyn said.

There were two games being played Saturday — an early one featuring Crestwood alumni and a later one featuring current Crestwood students as well as alumni pitted against a team made up of other hockey players from around the area.

“People travel for this,” Bill Davis, varsity coach for Crestwood, said.

Davis said it’s nice of a club to keep the memory alive, particularly for a young kid like Brian.

“It’s really important,” Davis said.

Ellen Beck, of Forty Fort, came to see her grandson play. Alex Chronowski, who plays hockey for Wyoming Area, was invited to the games.

“I wouldn’t miss this,” Beck said.

Along with a basket raffles for Pennsylvania lottery tickets, jewelry and a picnic theme, those in attendance also could try for the 50/50. An afterparty was also being held at Cavanaugh’s Grille.

“It all goes to the scholarship,” which Daniel Madry said has increased each year. The first year, the coaches gave away three scholarships, but the second year there were four.

Jared McCune, of Mountain Top, was playing for Crestwood in the late game. McCune, 17, remembers playing with Brian.

“It means a lot, especially where he came from … the Mountain Top area,” McCune said.

McCune, who admitted he hadn’t “been on skates in a few weeks,” said the atmosphere “is definitely something special.”

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Austin Orso, right, takes a shot on the net protected by goalie Gavin Lewis during a practice session.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031917CoughlinAlumni2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAustin Orso, right, takes a shot on the net protected by goalie Gavin Lewis during a practice session. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Former Crestwood hockey coach Doug Bates watches his son Mike play in a game at the Toyota Sportsplex.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031917CoughlinAlumni3-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFormer Crestwood hockey coach Doug Bates watches his son Mike play in a game at the Toyota Sportsplex. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Brian Madry’s older brother, Mike, 23, plays in a hockey game at the Toyota Sportsplex in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_TTL031917CoughlinAlumni1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgBrian Madry’s older brother, Mike, 23, plays in a hockey game at the Toyota Sportsplex in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Melanie Mizenko

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Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko.