For those who did not have the opportunity to know Christian, we would like to share with you a
little about him and the reason behind the Christian Ciskal Memorial Tournament.
Christian left this world on August 26, 2022, at the age of 14. Christian passed unexpectedly
without cause or warning. This left his family, friends and anyone really who met Christian even
just once devastated. His presence and light that he brought with his smile is something that I
think of often and know many are missing.

Christians' love of the game of Hockey from the time he was little was evident. He didn’t just
love the game; he was a true team player and leader in the game. It wasn’t always about the
win or how many goals for Christian but the whole experience of the game and camaraderie of
the sport. Whether on the ice or in the locker room Christian was there for his team to build
them up, brighten the mood when there was a loss, or even get a few laughs with his quick-
witted sense of humor.

Christian was born on March 18, 2008, and started ice skating at the young age of 7. Christian
started playing hockey for the Buffalo Stars and then soon moved over to the Cheektowaga
Warriors. Christian started in the Cheektowaga Warriors MOHL program, where his natural
talent and love for hockey was shining. His coach recognized his passion and dramatic
improvement over the season, and he then moved to the Cheektowaga Warriors travel program
for the next two years. Over this time, he continued to craft his skill. He was then approached
by the Buffalo Bisons organization, where he tried out and made the travel team as an Assistant
Captain, and where he spent his final season. He planned on returning to the Bison’s and
would have been the Captain the following season. Although Christian didn’t need a letter on his
jersey to prove his leadership, he chose this path and to always help his friends and teammates. 

Hockey wasn’t Christian’s only talent, it seems like people were drawn to Christian, or maybe it
was Christian was drawn to helping people. He without knowing brought people together, the
glue that held people together. This very special gift that Christian had, had an impact on so
many people, especially his close family. Christian brought his family together in a way they
couldn’t have imagined. His brother Johnny and sister Vicky were especially close with
Christian, and he was their whole life. The three of them did everything together, they
supported him in all his activities and anyone who knows the Ciskal family could always count
on Johnny and Vicky to be at every game cheering the team on. They truly were the three
musketeers.

Christian was loved beyond measure; his parents John and Tammy admired him and did
everything in their power to make his dreams come true. You can never measure a parents love
or pain in the loss of a child. When I see them, I can see their pain, I can sense their hurt but
most of all their love of Christian shines so bright. When Tammy speaks of Christian and shares
memories her eyes light up and her smile is so big that you feel the amount of love they have for
him.

While his life was short, I could spend hours telling you his story, because there is so much to
share, this is just a small snippet of how amazing he was. To say we miss Christian would be
an understatement and while life is not the same without him, we will continue to share our
memories, laugh and smile in honor of Christian.
We hope that you help us honor Christian’s memory and allow his legacy to continue.