Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Grant Spada\u2019s drive to give his best every day stems from his mother, Alison, who underwent four surgeries as part of her fight against brain cancer over the course of Grant\u2019s childhood.<\/p>\n
Alison inspired her son to launch Spada Strong, an initiative that will raise funds for pediatric cancer support at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario during his upcoming season with the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer impacts a lot of people,\u201d Spada said. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to support kids and do anything I can to help the community. I have a story to tell, and I get to tell that story all thanks to my warrior of a mom and what she’s battled through.\u00a0The relationship we have with McMaster Children\u2019s Hospital is already unbelievable, so thanks to them, and I\u2019m excited that I get to meet some amazing children in the future here.”<\/p>\n
Spada will host pediatric cancer patients at Guelph home games this season, recognizing them as \u2018Spada’s Star of the Game\u2019. Families will receive free tickets to watch the Storm and then get to meet the defenseman and his teammates postgame.<\/p>\n
Entering his third season with Guelph, the 19-year-old Spada wanted to make a difference in the community. Given his family\u2019s experience, supporting others affected by cancer was a natural choice.<\/p>\n
Alison will also take part in the initiative this season through\u00a0select ceremonial\u00a0puck drops.\u00a0Spada said she is the perfect example of somebody who faces every challenge with strength, and that\u2019s always been an inspiration to him on and off the ice.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom is everything to me, and she\u2019s inspired me for as long as I can remember. She doesn\u2019t miss a game.\u00a0She\u2019s the kindest person around, and if you go to my hometown everybody will say that my mom has a smile on her face and she\u2019ll do anything for anyone. That\u2019s how I was raised, and that\u2019s how I\u2019m going to continue to be. That\u2019s all because of my mom.”<\/p>\n
The Lightning\u2019s nonprofit organization, the Lightning Foundation, is among the early supporters of Spada Strong. Spada, a Tampa Bay seventh-round pick (212th overall) from the 2025 NHL Draft, is one of 23 players participating in this week\u2019s prospect camp at TGH Ice Plex.<\/p>\n
This week marks the beginning of Spada\u2019s season, which is set to culminate with Guelph’s Memorial Cup run this spring. Whenever things get tough, he\u2019ll think of the same person he always does\u2014his mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom\u2019s had four open brain surgeries, and that\u2019s a huge thing to overcome. How can I not win a battle in the corner if she can beat cancer\u00a0four times?<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s my hero.”<\/p>\n