FIDDS’ FRIENDS, CARSON’S CREW PROGRAMS RETURN FOR 2026-27 SEASON
Amerks forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Carson Meyer are bringing back their community initiatives for another year
Oct 13, 2026The Rochester Americans announced today the return of Fidds’ Friends and Carson’s Crew player programs for the 2026-27 season.
Launched last year by Amerks forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz in partnership with Comfort Windows Siding Bath, the Fidds’ Friends program provides donated tickets for the remainder of the current season to various local organizations that primarily focus on assisting underprivileged youth or children who are battling illness. In addition to receiving complimentary tickets, each game experience will also include a postgame meet-and-greet with Fiddler-Schultz, who created Fidds’ Friends while playing junior hockey for the Calgary Hitmen.
“At Comfort, we’re proud to support the communities we serve—especially programs that make a difference for local youth,” said Jason Passante, Director of Marketing at Comfort. “Partnering with Fidds’ Friends for a second year through the Amerks is an incredible opportunity to give back and strengthen our connection with the Rochester community. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to creating local jobs and reinvesting in the communities across New York State that we’re proud to call home.”
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIDDS' FRIENDS PROGRAM
Fiddler-Schultz, who’s in his fourth season with the Amerks, was Rochester’s winner of the AHL Man of the Year award for the 2025-26 season as well as a finalist for the annual Yanick Dupré Memorial Award for his dedication to the Rochester community.
Community-based and local not-for-profit organizations interested in attending an upcoming Amerks home game as part of the Fidds’ Friends program can register online by visiting www.amerks.com/fiddsfriends. All requests for games will be filled based on availability.
For the second straight year, Carson Meyer is partnering with GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester, the region’s leading non-profit supporting people with Down syndrome and their families, to host Playhouse families at all remaining Amerks home games this season. Each game experience will include complimentary tickets and a postgame meet-and-greet with Meyer, a seventh-year pro who launched Carson’s Crew in 2023-24 while a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
“Our partnership with the Amerks and the Carson’s Crew program has been incredibly meaningful to GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester,” said Kristin Housel, Director of Operations for GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester. “The success of last year’s program demonstrated the impact that can happen when two organizations come together with a shared commitment to inclusion, connection, and creating opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. We are grateful for a partnership that goes beyond programming and truly strengthens our community. Together, we are creating meaningful experiences, building relationships, and ensuring that individuals of all abilities have opportunities to grow, thrive, and feel a true sense of belonging. We look forward to continuing this partnership and all the wonderful things we can accomplish together!”
Families interested in attending an upcoming Amerks home game as part of the Carson’s Crew program can register online at www.amerks.com/carsonscrew. Each family may select one home game for the 2026-27 season and requests will be filled based on availability.
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARSON'S CREW PROGRAM
Later this season, the Amerks and GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester will again partner to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, March 21, 2027, when the Amerks host the Hamilton Hammers at Blue Cross Arena. The collaboration follows last season’s World Down Syndrome Day event, when the Amerks and GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester joined together, and continues the organizations’ partnership through initiatives such as Carson’s Crew.
Recognized globally each year on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day raises awareness and promotes understanding of people with Down syndrome. The date, the 21st day of the third month, represents the triplication or trisomy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.
Since opening in 2017, GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester has offered free educational, therapeutic and career-building programs for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community. The organization’s positive and supportive environment empowers participants to build confidence, develop new skills and reach their highest potential.
Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season, which start as low as $22 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.
About Comfort
Established in 1979 and headquartered in Syracuse, Comfort is family owned and operated home remodeling company and has been serving the Upstate New York Community for over 46 years. Initially starting as a replacement window company, Comfort is the top window manufacturer in New York State and has expanded its home improvement services over the years to include door replacement, siding, bathroom remodeling, roofing, sunrooms, decks, and more. Comfort now employs over 500 people across its Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, and Buffalo locations. Taking pride in being The Name You Know, The People You Trust; Comfort has also been awarded an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is the only company in New York State that has been awarded its top honor of “BBB Torch Award for Ethics” a total of 6 times (2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2020 and 2025).
About GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester
GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester is a nonprofit organization that serves people with Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis to adulthood focusing on achievement, belief and confidence. Open since April 2017, it is part of GiGi’s Playhouse network of 61 Down Syndrome Achievement Centers and growing across the United States and Mexico, the only network of its kind that provides free, life-changing therapeutic, educational and career-training programs for more than 30,000 individuals of all ages. Through free programs and the Generation G Campaign for global acceptance, GiGi’s helps maximize opportunities for daily achievement and lasting inclusion. The program helps advance a vital social impact goal by showing the world what people with Down syndrome are capable of achieving as students, co-workers, volunteers, friends and valued members of their communities. For more information about programs, volunteerism, partnerships, events and ways to support GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester families, visit gigisplayhouse.org/rochester.