The Hockey East Association announced on April 15 that UConn student-athlete Ryan Tattle has been selected as the first-ever Hockey East Community Champion. The award, created in partnership with Service Credit Union in 2026, recognizes student-athletes who show outstanding dedication to their campus and local communities.
The new award highlights the importance of community involvement among college athletes. It aims to encourage students to contribute positively beyond their athletic commitments.
“Ryan Tattle is an incredibly deserving Community Champion and we are proud to honor his work and legacy with this award,” said Hockey East Commissioner Steve Metcalf. “We are thankful to our partners at Service Credit Union for their commitment to highlighting the great work our student-athletes do within their communities and away from the ice rink.”
As part of this recognition, Tattle will receive $3,000 for his charitable efforts. He was also one of five finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in the 2025-26 season.
Tattle founded Score For Cancer in 2021 after his mother and a teammate were diagnosed with cancer. The foundation supports the Canadian Cancer Society and has raised over $188,000 through various initiatives, including an annual charity hockey game hosted by the Coquitlam Express. During the first event, Tattle scored four goals and one assist while helping raise more than $20,000.
In addition to his charity work with Score For Cancer, Tattle served as a two-time captain both for Coquitlam Express near his hometown of Port Moody, British Columbia, and later for UConn Huskies. He has continued his community service at UConn through involvement with Team Impact and participation in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Tattle’s commitment was influenced by family experience; his father co-founded Lina’s Dream in 2011—a charity that has raised more than $775,000 for breast cancer research—with which he remains actively involved.
