Greetings!
We honor Humboldt at an emotional Survivor Game, plus inspiring Dawg Bowl stories and tee time with the Dawgs.
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Dawg Bowl VIII
Standing Tall With Humboldt
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There’s always a theme for our marquee event. This year the Dawgs remembered the Humboldt Broncos, a Junior ‘A’ hockey team in Saskatchewan. In April, 16 members of the team were killed when their team bus was struck by a semi-truck. 13 survived.
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One by one, 16 players from the Dawg Nation Survivor game skated to a spotlight at center ice. Each carried a placard with the name of one of the Humboldt victims.
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Our Survivors stood with Humboldt and in their honor the players wore the Broncos’ green and gold sweaters. “Dawg Bowl VIII was filled with memorable moments as we once again saw an incredible outpouring of love and support for those in need," said Dawg Nation founder Martin Richardson. "A big thanks to all of you that helped us make this our best event ever.”
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One of the Humboldt survivors was the guest of honor at Dawg Bowl. Graysen Cameron (l) had his back broken in the crash. His time as a player is over, but his career as a coach is just beginning. His first assignment: coaching Mainline West Top Dawgs in the Platinum Division of Dawg Bowl. Graysen got a little help from buddy Paul Stastny!
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Graysen’s best friend on the Humboldt team was paralyzed from the waist down in the crash. Ryan Straschnitzki is currently undergoing rehab. When Dawg Nation first began, the players literally tossed money into a hat in the dressing room to help a fellow player in need. In that spirit, the Dawgs challenged each team in the tournament to do the same to help Ryan. The result? Over $40,000! DN board members Mike Freeman, Greg Clinnard and Cap made the presentation to Graysen on behalf of Ryan.
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Graysen dropped the ceremonial first puck for the Survivor game. The face off featured Thompson Smith (l) and Dave Repsher, who both overcame life threatening events to return to the ice.
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The Survivor game is always emotional, with those who have overcome illness and injury back on the ice. If you asked any of the players, they probably couldn’t tell you the score. But they could regale you with stories about how special it was to be back with friends playing a game they love. And how hockey and the thought of returning to the game helped in the long days of recovery and doubt.
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Between periods, Mike Freeman, Rob Packard and Martin Richardson presented a check to Andrew and Talia Pfankuch. “Cookie” beat cancer in his early 20s. Now Talia is fighting the disease.
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There was a special sled hockey exhibition featuring members of the US paralympic development team. Most all are former military personnel who were injured in service to our country, including Army Ranger Josh Hargis who has mentored Humboldt’s Ryan Straschnitzki. Ryan has expressed a desired to play sled hockey.
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And those players recognized one of their own honoring Bryan Brock, an Air Force veteran who suffered a debilitating injury during an adult league hockey game in Durango. Dawgs Rob Packard (far left) and Marty made the presentation to Bryan and wife Valarie. Bryan is a fighter and says he plans on playing in the Survivor game next year!
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Also playing was Scott Mayfield, a star defenseman with the New York Islanders, who gave it a try and found it’s not easy!
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Dawg Bowl VIII featured 42 teams battling for trophies in 7 divisions. Congratulations to all our competitors.
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Ellen McGrath Women’s Division
Jolly Ranchers
Ellen (pictured) was a hockey mom, hockey wife and hockey player. She died late last year from cancer. The Jolly Ranchers dedicated their win to Ellen.
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Copper B - Little Lebowskis
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Platinum - Denver Concrete
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Thank you to the players on our Mainline West Top Dawg team that competed in the Platinum Division. Your time is appreciated and your amazing talent admired by all. Had to be fun for Graysen to coach this bunch!
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Carrying on the Tradition
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Nathan Oystrick has been named the coach of the Humboldt Broncos. He is a Saskatchewan native and played in this year’s Dawg Bowl on the Mainline West Top Dawgs. "Nathan continues to play an integral role in the growth of Dawg Nation,” barked the Dawgfather Martin Richardson. “We can’t be more proud of Nathan as he takes on this exciting and powerful challenge. Way to go Osty!”
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Josiah Slavin played on the Denver Concrete team that won the Platinum Division. He’s a former Colorado Thunderbirds star who will play a second season in the USHL before going to Colorado College.
Back in the dressing room after the title game, Slavin checked his phone and found a missed call from a number he didn’t recognize. When he returned the call, he found it was the Chicago Blackhawks. They had drafted him on the 7th round!
Congratulations Josiah!
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Congratulations to the Colorado Eagles, winners of the Kelly Cup as champions of the ECHL for the second straight season. The Eagles beat Florida in a 7 game showdown. The team featured defenseman and alternate captain Matt Register who is next door neighbors with Humboldt's Ryan Straschnitzki in Calgary. After game 6 of the Kelly Cup finals, Register grabbed the puck, signed it and will be sending it to Ryan.
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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 over $1,000,000 in recipient aid.
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Mark Golden (in blue) schedules all the games and the referees for Dawg Bowl. A year ago, he had double by-pass surgery and missed time at work (and paychecks!) while recovering. In June the Dawgs, led by Dave Chamberlain and Cap (flanking Mark), surprised him with a check to help pay the bills.
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Friends of the Dawgs Give Back
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In June, Canada Colorado Association (CCA) named Dawg Nation their 2018 charity at their annual golf tournament. Humboldt’s Graysen Cameron was there and along with Cap, they auctioned off two Humboldt sweaters for close to $2,000. Graysen signed both for the winning bidders. The event was at Pinehurst Country Club.
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In July, Bout Time Pub and Grub held its annual car show featuring some terrific rides. For the third straight year, they chose Dawg Nation as the recipient of the proceeds from the event. Thanks to Garrett Ladd and all the great folks at Bout Time. Happy to report Bout Time presented the Dawgs with almost $1,000 in donations!
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Tee it up with Dawg Nation is August 27. Sponsored by TAG Insurance Services, the tournament will be played for the first time at the magnificent Lakewood Country Club. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact: dawgs@dawgnationhockey.org
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To Great Friends...Welcome Back
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Almost 3 years to the day after being critically burned in a fire following the crash of his Flight For Life helicopter, Dave Repsher returned to play in the Survivor game. Dave was in and out of a coma for months. He needed and received a kidney transplant last year.
Dave and wife Amanda never stopped believing that he would pull through. Martin Richardson and Dawg Nation have been with the Repshers through it all. What a wonderful moment at Dawg Bowl VIII to see the smiles and Dave back on skates, enjoying life with Amanda.
All the best to two special people who make this world a much better place.
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To Our Suporters, Donors, Partners, and Sponsors ...Thank You!
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Just a "shout out" about our friends at
CarbonLogic. We recently changed from hosting at Bluehost to these guys, who donated all the time needed to get our website to their servers. Here is the official version of their capabilities:
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They made it easy and we want to thank them as well as highly recommend their services! You don't even have to talk geek!
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This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery. Photos by the incomparable Kelli Packard. Caddy Shack courtesy Orion Pictures/Warner Bros.
Thanks to Martin Richardson and Rob Packard for their assistance.
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Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation
720 432 9471
PO Box 182
Indian Hills, CO 80454
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