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Ten years later, memories of Jason Stadstad still strong

The banner hangs on the east end of Purpur Arena. Grand Forks Central, No. 19. It's the only retired hockey jersey for either of the Grand Forks high schools--not that it's needed for those in Grand Forks to remember Jason Stadstad. The hockey pl...

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The banner hangs on the east end of Purpur Arena.

Grand Forks Central, No. 19.

It's the only retired hockey jersey for either of the Grand Forks high schools-not that it's needed for those in Grand Forks to remember Jason Stadstad.

The hockey player, who inspired the community through his battle with cancer, died 10 years ago today at the age of 19.

Appropriately, the two teams he touched the most-Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River-will play against each other in Purpur Arena tonight.

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Stadstad played for Central. He later coached youth hockey. His players went on to play for both Central and Red River.

"I think his legacy has carried on," former Central coach Tony Bina said. "It has been passed down the line. Most of the kids playing now probably didn't know Jason, but through a lot of things, his legacy has carried on."

Two-time Olympic silver medalist Jocelyne Lamoureux, who was preparing to play a game with Team USA on Friday night, said she got to know Stadstad through her brothers and even played goaltender on one of his youth teams.

"Jason always made time to chat with me," Lamoureux said. "That's something I'll always remember. It wasn't just because I had a brother on his team. He always made time for everyone."

Stadstad's legacy lives on all over the hockey community.

There's an arena named after him in Manvel, N.D. His jersey hangs in the rafters at Purpur. There was a hockey tournament named after him. There's an award given out to a Central athlete each year in his name.

"He lives on through everyone he's touched," Lamoureux said. "His positivity was contagious. He didn't live as long as some people, but not very many people have the impact on others that he did."

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year once. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.
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