Dorchester’s own Patrick Brophy and Patrick Doherty organized a hockey tournament in Canton last Saturday that drew about 90 players across eight teams for the first-ever Peace Cup to raise funds for the Martin W. Richard Foundation. Each player wore a number 8 as a tribute to Martin.

The tournament was followed that evening with a party at the McKeon Post which raised more donations for Team MR8, the marathon squad that has —to date— gathered almost $1 million for the Richard foundation.

Brophy and Doherty are both running in next Monday’s Boston Marathon as members of Team MR8. This will be there fifth marathon; the pair were on Hereford Street last year when they were stopped due to the bombings.

One of the highlights of the Peace Cup tournament were the many NHL and collegiate jerseys that were donated to the event. Brophy, who works at Harvard University, called local colleges with hockey programs and received “immediate” help from each, including BC, BU, Merrimack, Harvard, Northeastern. The Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox all sent in authentic— and sometimes, autographed— jerseys featuring the number 8— in honor of Martin. And then — after word of the Peace Cup made it to NHL headquarters— several other teams mailed jerseys to Brophy and Doherty.

Peace Cup PlayersThe friends raffled off the shirts— along with other sports memorabilia and ticket packages— to great success at the McKeon Post time. Together, the tourney and time raised more than $20,000 for the cause. People can still pitch in by going to their pages on the Team MR8 website.

“We are so grateful to everyone who donated, sponsored and supported us,” said Brophy.
-Bill Forry