Now, Gooley and Tuch see each other over the holidays and at various events, including the Alex Tuch 3-on-3 Pro Hockey Game on Aug. 15 in Cicero, New York. The event raised more than $50,000 to support the mission of the Maureen's Hope Foundation, which offers practical support and assistance to people facing a cancer diagnosis or another life-altering disease.
"He set all that up and had me go say a couple of words on how important those types of fundraisers are," Gooley said. "I got to meet a kid who has the same type of cancer that I have now. He was 13. I always chat with some of the younger guys who have had similar experiences."
While Gooley and Tuch have shared a lot of hockey experiences together, as far as Gooley knows, Tuch still hasn't tried playing it in a sled.
"I got his younger brother, Luke, out. He used to help me train now and then," Gooley said. "But I don't think I ever got Alex into a sled. I'm going to have to have him try it."