Each February, alumni return to the Hill for the PJ Shaughnessy ’02 Alumni Hockey Game. First played in 2019, the event has quickly become one of Tilton’s most meaningful winter traditions — a chance for former players, classmates, and friends to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the community that first brought them together.

The game was created to honor PJ Shaughnessy ’02, whose life was tragically cut short in a motor vehicle accident in November 2002. For those who knew him, PJ’s love of hockey was only matched by his love of Tilton and the friendships he built on the Hill.

For PJ’s older brother, John Shaughnessy, the day carries profound meaning. A Tilton Trustee since 2014 and now Chair of the Board of Trustees, John captured the heart of the tradition in his invitation to alumni:

“It’s always a special moment when the Tilton community comes together, and this alumni hockey game carries a meaning that runs deep for my family and for so many of you.”

This year’s gathering was one of the strongest yet. More than 70 attendees filled the rink, including over 30 alumni— some traveling significant distances — to take part. The benches were stacked with both men and women spanning classes and eras of Tilton hockey from 1986 to 2024. Generations shared the ice, bridging decades in a way only sport and a shared experience can.

Thanks to the generosity of participants and supporters, more than $3,000 was raised through registrations and donations to directly support the PJ Shaughnessy ’02 Scholarship Fund. The legacy of this game extends well beyond the rink, creating opportunities for deserving students to experience Tilton — to build the same kinds of friendships, character, and memories that defined PJ’s time on the Hill.

The game has also become a celebration of the alumni community itself — a chance to share stories, relive memories, and strengthen the bonds that first brought them together on the Hill. PJ’s spirit is at the heart of the tradition, but the day belongs to all alumni who carry forward the energy, camaraderie, and pride that define Tilton hockey.