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Enjoy our 1st Quarter newsletter, as Dawg Nation provides a Christmas surprise for a special family, celebrates with Milan Hejduk and gets ready for pond hockey in the mountains.
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In July 2017, Jen Johnson, a hockey player, and her partner Sarah learned that their 2 year old son had Leukemia.
Porter is undergoing treatment, but it is a long and difficult road for him and the family. In November, the Dawgs presented Jen and Sarah with a check for $12,425 to help cover medical bills.
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In December, the Dawgs came through again big time with a Christmas surprise for Porter, his brother Aden and Jen and Sarah. It was a moment of fun and cheer in a tough time.
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"This was all about brightening the family's day and giving them something to smile about," said Dawg Nation Ambassador Andy Gerrie (holding Porter) who organized the Christmas project.
Andy says the family loves the lights so much, they will stay up until the end of January.
"Everyone who volunteered, seeing how happy we made Porter, Aden, Jen, and Sarah, wore a big smile that evening as well. We were all amazed at what a happy, outgoing little boy Porter is, even with all he's enduring."
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Aden is Porter's older brother and has been by Porter's side every step of the way. "Aden's only goal is to get his little brother back to health," said Dawg Nation Founder Martin Richardson. "In doing so he never puts himself first.
In late December, Dawg Nation decided to do just that! The Dawgs gave Aden a night to remember. Tickets donated by the Avs for their game against Arizona. A visit in the NHL officials locker room. Aden met the TV and radio broadcast crew and rode the Zamboni around the Pepsi Center ice. He received the game puck, and met up with Avs captain, Gabe Landeskog!
Richardson said, "It was heart warming to see this very deserving young man being nothing more than a normal wide eyed kid having the time of his life."
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Milan Hejduk has had many memorable moments. He recently became a U.S. citizen. In 2016 he was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
With Dawg Nation, he is a board member and ambassador reaching out to help many in the hockey community.
And he is one of the best to ever play in the National Hockey League. His 14 year career was spent entirely with the Colorado Avalanche where he scored 375 goals and 805 points.
On January 6, the Avs retired his number. Milan (with wife Zlata and sons David and Marek), his parents, former teammates, current Avs plus a sellout crowd at the Pepsi Center shared the moment.
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Left to Right: Dave Repsher, Cody Beekman and the Dawg Father, Martin Richardson, joined Milan on his night.
"This is very special for Milan and we could not be more proud of #23," said Richardson. "Milan was a very special player and is an even better person. Congrats Hedgie!"
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Milan the coach? Yep. Congrats to the Colorado Thunderbirds Under 13 squad and first year coach.
In December, Hejduk guided the team to the NHL Youth Cup West Championship in California. The Thunderbirds won 34 of their 38 games including a 2-0 win over a very good Anaheim team that secured the Cup!
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A HELPING PAW
We've found over ONE MILLION ways to help. Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In under seven years we've now helped more than 100 families in times of need with over $1 million in recipient aid.
That's $1,000,000!
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In December, the Dawgs were there for Christina "Toya" Montoya. 2017 was a rough one for Toya as she battled a liver disease.
At Sobo 151, a Czech hockey bar - bet you didn't know those existed in Colorado! - the special night included a raffle, live music, and lots of Czech beer. Thanks to a silent and a live auction the check to Toya rose to over $20,000!! To cap the night Milan Hejduk dropped by. Yes, he knows the place well.
Toya summed it up, "While the monetary gift lifts an overbearing weight I have felt these last few months, the true gift is being uplifted by you all."
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Taylor Erickson is an adult league player in an over 40 league. He recently took a very bad fall that resulted in a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.
Speech and motor skills were impacted. Now, as an eloquent speech during the check presentation at Center Ice Hockey in the Tech Center proved, Taylor is well on the road to recovery.
Taylor (with wife Gayle, daughter Clancy and son Anders who plays on the Regis Varsity) is doing out-patient physical therapy and plans to return to work next month. He hopes to be playing hockey again later this year!
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DN made a special check presentation to Jonathan "Rips" Ripley, a long time Dawg with a heart of gold.
Rips lost his father to cancer. While the family was out of town for the services, their neighbor's house caught on fire causing severe damage to the Ripley home. At the moment, they are in temporary living quarters.
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Dawg Nation thanks you! On Colorado Gives day, you did. $3,800 is the most the Dawgs have ever received on this amazing day.
This money will go to those in need in the Colorado hockey community. We couldn't do it without you!
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Dawg Nation was the guest of honor when the NCCA champion Denver Pioneers hosted Dartmouth on December 15. Through ticket sales, the event raised close to $5,000 for those in the hockey community needing assistance.
Between periods the Dawgs staged a special exhibition featuring Colorado Sled Hockey players. Some of the best players in the world were on the ice including Ralph DeQuebec of the US National team and Josh Hargis, of the US National developmental squad. In all, five Purple Heart recipients participated.
Dawg Nation unveiled plans for a new ice arena that will be game changing. The design features three full size rinks and will be accessible to disabled and able bodies athletes.
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Dawg Nation congratulates Ralph DeQuebec and the USA National Sled Hockey team. They won the gold in December at the World Sled Hockey Challenge in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The U.S. beat Italy in the semi finals and edged Canada 3-2 in the final.
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COMING UP: HOCKEY AT COPPER
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Join us February 9-11 for Dawg Nation's 3rd annual Pond Hockey Tournament at the fabulous Copper Mountain Resort.
In addition to the action on the ice, there will be a party for everyone on Saturday that includes the auction of amazing items you have come to expect from the Dawgs. The money raised will once again benefit Dave Repsher and wife Amanda. Dave, a flight nurse and talented hockey player, survived a flight for life helicopter crash in 2015 and recently underwent a kidney transplant.
Over 25 teams will battle it out in 4 divisions. Ex pro players will compete, with teams bidding for their services and the money going to benefit the Repshers.
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This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery.
Photos by Kelli Packard. Decorating Porter's house by Rick McAllister.
Porter feature courtesy of Alan Gionet and Denver's KCNC (CBS) Channel 4.
Special thanks to
Martin Richardson and Rob Packard for their assistance.
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