Captain’s Ball honors legacy of Pete Frates, ALS research

BOSTON —

A star-studded event was held Thursday night to honor the life and legacy of Pete Frates. His mission to advance ALS research and find a cure is now carried on by his family and friends.

NHL Hall of Famer Ray Bourque and his foundation hosted The Captain’s Ball on Thursday night in Boston.

The black-tie affair at Big Night Live on Causeway Street helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for ALS research at Mass General Hospital and for the Peter Frates Family Foundation.

“To get 700 people in a room talking about ALS? Honestly, back in 2012, we couldn’t get seven people in a room to talk about ALS,” Nancy Frates, Pete Frates’ mother, said. “It’s just an extension of what he hoped, prayed, and worked so hard for.”

“It’s great just to bring awareness, raise money to help people out that are struggling, going through those tough times,” former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, who was in attendance, said.

Many Bruins players and coaches were also there to support the fight against ALS.