POTSDAM -- The SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team has joined forces with North Country Savings Bank to hold the first-ever “Bears Stick It To Cancer” campaign during the 2010-11 season.

The Bears hope to honor former teammate Antony Proteau, who died in 2009 after a battle with cancer in his brain stem. In one season of competition, Proteau tallied 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games played.

“Community involvement is tremendously important to our program,” Potsdam coach Chris Bernard said. “After suffering such a tragic loss last season with the death of Antony, we thought that we should focus our energy on raising as much money as we could to help join the fight against cancer in our effort to honor a teammate and friend.”

Beginning with the team’s home opener on Nov. 12 against Morrisville, the Bears, along with North Country Savings Bank, are asking for pledges for every goal Potsdam scores this season. Participants can also make a one-time donation online or via mail.

All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society through the team’s Relay For Life effort.

“It’s important for other community members to support each other in this fight against such a deadly disease,” NCSB marketing director Steve Thornton said. “At North Country Savings Bank, we feel like a part of that community. We are proud to support Coach Bernard and his program in their efforts to fight such a deadly disease.”

For more information on how to pledge, contact Coach Bernard at 267-2518, or bernarcd@potsdam.edu.

To make a one-time donation using a credit card, visit www.relayforlife.org/sunypotsdam, click donate > donate to team > type “BearsHockey1” > then donate, or send a check to Annette Robbins, 218 Barrington Student Union, SUNY Potsdam, 44 Pierrepont Ave., Potsdam, NY, 13676.