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3rd Quarter, 2017
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Enjoy our 3rd Quarter newsletter, as Dawg Nation celebrates its biggest Dawg Bowl ever, helps some special people and gets ready to hit the links.

DAWG BOWL VII

Dawg Bowl VII was the biggest in terms of attendance and Dawg Nation raised $110,000 during June 23-26 event. 

"It was another spectacular weekend with the power of the human spirit in full display," said Dawg Nation founder Martin Richardson.  42 t eams in seven divisions participated.  A silent auction and plenty of hockey action kept spectators hopping.  

"We couldn't have done this without the help of so many who volunteered countless hours," said the Dawg Father.  


Dave Repsher dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Survivor Game. An avid hockey player, Dave continues to recover from a Flight for Life Helicopter crash in July of 2015 that left him burned over 90% of his body.



Those competing in the Survivor game have overcome life threatening illness or catastrophic injury.  "Hockey is what keeps us going through the bad times," said one.  "We can't wait to get back on the ice!"  

The sweaters had D-Rep on the front in honor of Dave Repsher!



During the Survivor Game, the Dawgs presented a check to Eric Egerter and his family.  Eric is a goalie in an adult league at the Promenade Ice Arena.  He recently had back surgery and the family also learned their son, Carter, has cancer.



A big thanks to all the teams that competed and to all of our division winners! 

Women's - Flames 
Copper B - Moose
Copper A - Deke Digital
Bronze B - Puck Dynasty
Bronze A - DAS Hockey
Silver - Santa's Little Helpers

The Platinum Division winning team, SSSIHL, is pictured.  The team features 7 players off the University of Denver's NCAA champs including Hobie Baker winner Will Butcher and All-American Troy Terry.

REMEMBERING RYLIE and VALERIE


Dawg Nation lost two wonderful friends this summer. Rylie Guentensberger was struck by a car that crashed into a store where she was shopping with her mom.  

Dawg Nation set up a link to help the Guentensbergers and teamed with Littleton Hockey in staging a Rally for Rylie day at South Suburban.  12 year old Rylie died a month after the accident.  

In all, Dawg Nation was able to give the Guentensbergers a check for $92,500. Thank you from all of us for your outpouring of support. 

Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation President Todd Gehrke is close friends with Ziggy, Meghann and Tanner Guentensberger.  Read his tribute   to Rylie 

 


Valerie Allan lost her long and courageous battle with cancer a few days after they were honored as recipients at this year's Survivor Game on June 24th. 

Valerie was a wonderful mother, daughter, wife and friend to many. She leaves behind her three children and her loving husband Andy. 


A HELPING PAW

Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In under six years we've been able to aid over 70 families in times of need. 

At the New Belgium Brewery, Dawg Nation teamed with the FCPHL (Fort Collins Pond Hockey League) to recognize two more recipients.  Grant Trombley is recovering some very serious injuries sustained in a car accident   


Karyn LeBlanc is on the mend after a complicated heart surgery.  Both Grant and Karyn are on the road to recovery. 

A special thank you to New Belgium's Alex Trtanj and FCPHL for a special evening and the opportunity to get to know two wonderful recipients.


Congrats to the Great Unknown for taking the first ever Meltdown in Monument Novice Tourney in late April. This one was organized and hosted by our Colorado Springs Dawgs squad which plays out of the Monument rink. 

The Dawgs took time to recognize a hero.  Tim Bennett is a career military man and an adult hockey player who is battling cancer.


VALOR and MAX PAY IT FORWARD


In May, George Gwozdecky (former DU hockey coach and currently Valor High School head coach) reached out to us: 

"I just completed our final team meeting. Throughout the past season, we had a 'Team Fine Jar.' Every time a player messed up, he would be assessed a fine by the captains and be required to make a small donation to the jar. 

Currently there is $226 in the jar, and the team has decided to donate the money to Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation.  It was 100% the players' idea, not mine!" 

George also joined in at Dawg Bowl VII and was a celebrity coach at the Survivor Game.



In June, Littleton Hawk Max Myhill celebrated his 14th birthday with  a hockey party at Ice Ranch. After a fun skate, Max and dad Stuart and the gang headed upstairs for pizza and birthday cake. 

Max didn't want presents. He asked for donations to Dawg Nation instead!!! Happy Birthday Max!!!!


DN and DU and the RUN for TWO

The NCAA champion DU Pioneers are a strong supporter of Dawg Nation and we could not be more proud of our home squad. 

Dawg Father Martin Richardson (with DU Head Coach Jim Montgomery) said, "We have some really big things planned at Magness Arena this year and we'd love for you to be part of it!" 

Join us in supporting the Crimson and Gold this season by becoming a season ticket holder with packages as low as $154 to see the top college hockey program in the world! Our good pal, Trent (303-871-6887) has all the details.  

CHEERS FOR TWO OF OUR OWN

Long time Dawg Nation supporter, Pierre Turgeon (left), is the latest addition to the LA Kings coaching staff. For past few years Pierre has been a terrific ambassador for Dawg Nation and has freely given his time and support to our cause.

Pierre and George Gwozdecky (right) joined Martin Richardson at Dawg Bowl VII.  Pierre and George were celebrity coaches at the Survivor game.  

All best wishes Turg as you move behind the Kings bench and go for a Stanley Cup!


Congrats to the Colorado Eagles and Sean Zimmerman for bringing home the Kelly Cup!!! Zimmy is the captain of the ECHL's Eagles and has been a long time supporter of Dawg Nation.  He spent a summer as of member of our Dawgs II squad.

NEXT ON THE TEE...


Mark September 11 on the calendar.  Join Dawg Nation on the links and then for dinner and a spectacular auction with unique items you've come to expect from Dawg Nation.   

For more information on Tee It Up With the Dawgs, click  HERE


LACE 'EM UP!

Join us October 7th for the Colorado Avalanche 5K fun day.  For the second straight year the  Avs will generously donate a portion of entry fees to Dawg Nation so we can continue to help those in the hockey community that are in need. 

Avs great and Dawg Nation ambassador Milan Hejduk joined Martin Richardson and many other Dawgs  a year ago.  This event is for runners, walkers, those in wheelchairs and those who roller blade.  

Watch the Dawg Nation website and our Facebook post for sign up information.  Thank you Avs!


This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery. 
Photos by Dave Topping, Jeff Davis and Kelli Packard. 
Caddy Shack courtesy of Warner Brothers.

Special thanks to  Martin Richardson and Rob Packard for their assistance.