1st Quarter 2019 Newsletter

Greetings!

The Dawgs head to Humboldt, we celebrate Brewfest and get ready for tons of laughs.

Humboldt and the Dawgs Stand Together Again

The Humboldt Broncos have invited the Dawgs to the the Elgar Petersen Arena. Greg Clinard, Mike Freeman, Dave Chamberlin, George Altz and Martin Richardson will attend the the Bronco/Weyburn games on February 8th and 9th in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

The Dawg Father will drop the ceremonial first puck on February 8th. “Five of us will be there,” said a humbled Cap. “But the Broncos and the town are recognizing the kindness and generosity shown by all of you that are Dawg Nation.”

A Special Time Remembered

Several months after the Dawgs hosted Ryan Straschnitzki (r) and Jacob Wassermann, the memories are fresh. Ryan and Jacob survived last April’s Humboldt team bus crash in Saskatchewan that killed 16 of their teammates, coaches and staff. Both were paralyzed in the accident. The Dawgs invited the boys to Denver for a special week of events.

Ryan and Jacob attended the University of Denver hockey game against Providence on November 23rd and participated in a sled hockey exhibition.

The next day, Jacob and Ryan were at the Avs-Dallas game and were joined by Gabe Landeskog and Jaimie Benn for the ceremonial puck drop.

Sunday, the Denver Broncos hosted the Humboldt Broncos when they took on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Monday Ryan and Jacob were guests at the Dallas Stars practice. Stars coach Jim Montgomery formerly coached at DU and is a huge supporter of Dawg Nation. The Stars changed their travel plans to stay an extra two days in Colorado and host the boys.

Lunch with DU Pioneers capped a whirlwind week.

Sampling Beer and Talkin' Hockey

That opportunity greeted hundreds of fans in late January at the first Dawg Nation Brewfest hosted by the Chain Reaction Brewery.

On hand were former Rocky Hockey captain Mike Christie (l) and former Islanders great Lorne Henning. Christie played four seasons with Colorado, one with the indomitable Don Cherry and also starred at DU. Henning won four Stanley Cups.

Lorne and Mike were interviewed by sports talk show host and former hockey analyst Sandy Clough, sharing great stories and a lot of laughs. Trivia Question: Name the last player/coach to win a Stanley Cup? Answer: Henning with the Isles in ’80/’81.

"I spent the day with two of my hockey heroes,” enthused the Dawg Father, Martin Richardson. A lot of fans who had the chance to talk hockey with Christie and Henning felt the same way.

The brewers had previously named January Dawg Nation Month and created a special lager that DN proudly named “Hair of the Dawg.”

Thanks to Chain Reaction and everyone who turned out and made Brewfest a big success.

A Helping Paw

Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In seven years we've helped over 100 families in times of need with close to $1,500,000 in recipient aid.

In December the Dawgs surprised Justin and Alice Kresh with some Christmas cheer. Their son, Talon, was born with life threatening complications. Today he is healthy and doing well, but medical bills and other expenses made it tough on the family. The Dawgs presented a check to help and also provided Christmas presents for Justin, Alice, older son Blake and Talon. And talk about a surprise: former Avs stars and current Dawgs Milan Hejduk (l) and Jan Hejda popped in to celebrate with the Kreshs.

Last July, Scarlet Lukasezck, a hockey wife and hockey mom, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. With husband Bryan and many friends and family, Scarlet has persevered. With the DU and Colorado Select hockey communities, the Dawgs gave the Lukasezcks a check for $5000. The total has now topped $8,000! Scarlet says she can’t wait to pay it forward.

In 2018, Dave Martinez (r) suffered a heart attack after a hockey game that resulted in a hospital stay, missed work, lots of bills and some very scary moments. In December, Dawg Nation’s Greg Clinard and Dave's partner Robin Gunderson surprised him with a check for $14,585. Thanks to Kate, Bob and Drew for helping organize this special night!!

As part of Jacob Wassermann (front left) and Ryan Straschnitzki's (front right) Denver odyssey, the two joined the Dawgs in helping Pierce Grandchamp. Pierce is an incredible person who has not let spina bifida ruin his love of hockey and playing the game. But Pierce has been sidelined since his custom hockey sled was stolen. The Dawgs, Ryan and Jacob presented Pierce with a check to replace his sled and get back on the ice.

From left to right behind the boys: DN board member Milan Hejduk, DN Board President Todd Gehrke, long time NHL referee Dave Jackson, Pierce's father Bruce Grandchamp, Cappy, DN ambassador Jan Hejda, Avalanche TV director Mike Fox, Jacob's dad Kirby Wassermann, DN Secretary Rob Packard and DN's Trevor Clark joined the celebration.

Pierce used the Dawg Nation funds for a new custom sled. He checked it out with the Dawg Father and Dawg Nation board member Mike Freeman (r) at the Edge Arena.

Lenny Soveroski was a hockey referee, husband, father, teacher and volunteer. In his memory the Dawgs partnered with Will Dooley and the Cheyenne hockey community, hosting a benefit game that included a surprise check presentation. The Dawgs salute our hockey friends in Wyoming for a wonderful helping hand for the Soveroskis.

As part of Brewfest in January the Dawgs made a special presentation to Ryan Tennant. Ryan is a hockey player who suffered a serious injury on the ice.

"I can't thank you enough," said an excited Ryan. "Dawg Nation has changed my life."

Our check will help Ryan in paying medical bills. Many stepped forward at Brewfest to help a fellow hockey player. We thank you all.

Thank You!

Colorado Gives Day on December 4, shows the incredible willingness of our citizens in sharing with organizations that help so many. We set a new Dawg Nation record in 2018 with $2,250 in donations. In addition, several of you set up personal Facebook fundraisers which produced even more. All of that is being partially matched by Firstbank.

Coming Up - Stand Up

March 13 is the date. Join us for the 9th Annual Dawg Nation Stand Up for Comedy Night. Top comics Brandt Tobler, David Rodriguez, Elliot Woolsey and Sam Adams will provide the laughs.

"The Dawg Nation comedy night is one of my favorite events and I'm glad to be back for it this year," said Adams who will MC. "Laughter is the penalty, and we put over 400 in the Comedy Works penalty box for 90 minutes of fun!"

Come early for dinner at Lucy’s. They are donating 20% of every food bill to Dawg Nation.

Buy tickets for the show

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