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“Hockey was the best medicine for both of us, and it was the little things that mattered.”
—Tucker
How the Mini Sticks Got Its Start
How the Mini Sticks Got Its Start
Because little things matter.
When I was 9-years-old, my Ma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She became very ill quickly and as young as I was, I had very little understanding of how significant cancer was. Very fast I had to adapt to my Ma’s new lifestyle while attending school and traveling with hockey. It soon became very overwhelming and playing hockey for her became my way of escaping “from the cancer”.
As she went through surgery and treatment, she still made sure she was there to drive me to practice and come to games and tournaments no matter how tired or sick she felt. I always knew how to find her in the stands, wrapped in a green blanket and wearing a hat. She said hockey was the best medicine for both of us and it was the little things that mattered, like keeping a hockey schedule.
Ma says there is no cancer rulebook but it usually feels like you are playing on the penalty kill. You rely on your teammates to be there. They are the ones that get you through the tough shifts and the ones that are there for the little things too.
At nearly every tournament during her treatment, my teammates and I played mini sticks–one of those little things. Ma used to watch from a safe distance and joke that we needed to ‘save some for the games’ but all these years later, it’s that experience that inspired The Mini Sticks Charitable Organization.
The camaraderie of hockey.
The support of your team.
The chance to be a kid in the midst of cancer.
Because little things matter.
Like the Mini Sticks.
-Tucker
The Beginning of Mini Sticks
The Beginning of Mini Sticks
What started as a childhood tradition at hockey tournaments became a mission to create moments of connection, joy, and normalcy for families impacted by childhood cancer.
Through Mini Sticks, we bring families together, support pediatric cancer research, and remind children and families that even during the hardest times, the little things matter.
The Mini Sticks Team
Tucker Shedd
Tucker Shedd
Founder and Captain
Founder and Captain
Tuck is a defenseman for Plymouth State University pursuing a degree in Business Administration.
He learned to play hockey shortly after learning how to walk (or maybe at the same time) and has had a stick in his hand for about as long.
Tuck is no stranger to medical procedures. In addition to the amazing scars on his eyebrow and his cheek, his neck bears a zipper scar courtesy of a skate from the 2021-2022 season. He also sat next to his mom through more lab draws and chemo infusions than a kid can count.
Ryan Gingras
Ryan Gingras
Chief Financial Officer
Ryan is a principal development engineer with a lifetime of experience in innovation and engineering design. Ryan earned a Masters in Engineering Management and a BS in Mechanical Design (both from Eastern Michigan University) and also holds over a dozen patents. He grew up playing hockey with his two brothers, eventually playing for Eastern Michigan University. Ryan can be found hunting or fishing when he isn’t running.
Ryan’s family has also been affected by cancer.
Meagan Shedd
Meagan Shedd
Chief Operating Officer
Meagan has over 25 years of experience in leadership experience across early childhood education,
higher education, government, nonprofit organizations, and community-based systems.
Diagnosed in 2014 with two types of cancer just after qualifying for the Boston Marathon, Meagan underwent surgery and a year of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. She continues to be an active advocate for the cancer community and runs regularly.
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