The past 12 months have been extremely challenging for Winnipeg's Chornley family. On November 25 of last year, mom, Kelly (Bartley), passed away following a 22-month battle with breast cancer, leaving behind daughter Payton, son Shea and husband Shaun. Payton's hockey team, the RINK's U18 female squad, dedicated the 2024-25 season to her mother and honoured the family by wearing 'KB' stickers on their helmets all season.

But just half a year after Kelly's passing, devastation struck the Chornley family again, as Payton was diagnosed with lymphoma — a cancer found within blood cells in the lymphatic system.

A Community Shaken - and Then Rallied

"Payton's diagnosis really shook our team," head coach Ed Mauro told Game On. "We were starting to move towards next season, last year was behind us, but then to hear that information at the end of July was rattling for our community. We obviously had no doubt knowing Payton's resilience and strength as a human being, and support that she has from family and friends, but we knew that this was going to be a battle, but that she's going to be able to be resilient through it."

"And as a team, we quickly rallied around her, not knowing what the outcome was going to be, whether she was going to play or not, how this was going to work," Mauro continued. "She's been battling, but with the help of her dad — who is an unbelievable human being — the family decided after seeing all the support they received in roughly one month from CancerCare Manitoba, they wanted to have a fundraiser for the people that were helping them out so much."

Payton's Focus: Treatment First, Hockey When the Time Is Right

So far, Payton's focus has remained on her cancer treatments this season, but her coach is "cautiously optimistic" that there is a chance she could return to the lineup late in the season.

"As you can imagine, we all want her to be back, and she wants to come back," Coach Mauro said. "For a 16-year-old girl whose hopes of playing hockey are stalled right now, it's an emotional thing for her as well. But everyone here, both on and off the ice, we're doing everything we can to support her and her family; we have such a great community at RINK, as well the whole organization has been rallying around and doing everything we possibly can to help them. Time is going to be the main factor, and that's why we just need to be supportive during this time. Love and support is what they need now."

The 'Coming Together' Fundraiser: $56,000 in a Single Night

Not only has the Chornley family been shown love, they have also given back. According to Mauro, Shaun put together the 'Coming Together' CancerCare Manitoba fundraiser in a little over two weeks — an opportunity for the family to raise funds for the organization that has done so much in their lives over the past few years.

A longtime member of the Winnipeg Police Service, Shaun rallied a variety of his vast hockey connections and ended up spearheading another ultra-successful fundraising campaign — something he has been known to do during his time on the force. The event took place in late-September for the U18 girls' home-opener and featured a raffle, silent auction prizes, a live band, photos with the Stanley Cup, memorabilia from the PWHL, a ceremonial puck drop with Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey and over $56,000 raised from the 1,500 guests in attendance.

"We had a full capacity arena, celebrities and live music — it was an unbelievable experience," Mauro laughed. "I've heard from some parents of our players that their daughters said it was the best hockey experience they've ever had in their lives. Obviously, it's an unfortunate circumstance of why. You know, why this sort of thing happens. But the community here is unbelievable, raising over $56,000 at that event alone. And it's ongoing, the donations to CancerCare Manitoba pediatrics, is ongoing through the whole season and donations can be made through our QR code."

A Storybook Game to Match the Night

As it turns out, the RINK came from behind to win the opener, 4-3, in an absolute thriller that needed a shootout to determine the winner over Chornley's former team and rival Winnipeg club, Balmoral Hall.

"I thought they would be really nervous," Mauro shared of his team. "But they were more excited than nervous, I think. To play in front of a full house, all the boys' teams there, even some Junior teams in attendance, different AAA female teams — there were a lot of people there. But I give our girls credit. And in true storybook fashion, the game ends with us winning in the shootout. You really couldn't ask for a better ending. It's about as far as you can get in a game; the home team comes from behind and gets the job done, winning the shootout."

Payton Chornley: A Player, a Leader, a Fighter

Last season, her first with RINK, Chornley put up 16 goals and 40 points in just 30 games. Now in Grade 11, her time has been spent in and out of hospital. But her coach knows her support system has been rock solid so far this season, despite not suiting up in game action to date.

"She's well-spoken, and that's a testament to her upbringing," he reflected. "She's a very good hockey player who has a lot of promise — and still does have that promise, but it's just stalled promise right now. When she comes back, I'm sure she'll be better and stronger than ever, and even more determined. That's the kind of person and leader that she is. She's that kind of person that is so, so well-liked in the community; the support and love that she's receiving and the family's receiving is incredible."

A Spot Waiting for Her Return

"Payton's listed on our active Hockey Manitoba roster, so there is a spot waiting for her once she's ready to return," Mauro said, emotionally. "If things go well and progress in the right direction, our hope is that she may be able to play late-winter or early-spring for us. The girls would love nothing more. We're cautiously optimistic that she'll be here for the playoffs."

To donate to CancerCare Manitoba pediatrics in support of the Chornley family's fundraising efforts, visit cancercare.mb.ca.