In case you missed it: Dawg Nation 2nd Quarter 2019 Newsletter

Greetings!

The Dawgs get ready for the event of the year, have some big laughs and help where it's needed most.

The Event of the Year is Here

Hard to believe almost a year has gone by since the Dawgs paid tribute to the community of Humboldt and its hockey team at Dawg Bowl VIII. This year's event is June 20-23. We have chosen a military theme for 2019 and the main recipient will be a true American hero. Dawg Bowl benefits adult hockey players facing catastrophic illness or injury.

Last year, Humboldt's Graysen Cameron dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Survivor Game. Graysen suffered serious back injuries in the crash and was told he would never play hockey again. Since last year, he has rehabbed to the point that he will play in Dawg Bowl IX. It will be his first game action since the accident!

Dawg Bowl IX has a full field of 44 teams in 7 divisions with many past and present NHL players taking part. Admission is free. Bands, a bouncey house for the kids, BBQ from Moe's and more make this a weekend of fun and action for everyone on and off the ice!

The highlight of every Dawg Bowl is the Survivor Game. All the players have survived traumatic injuries or illness. Many credit this game for keeping them going through the tough times. This year’s Survivor Game will include a disabled vet in a sled on both teams. There will also be a sled hockey exhibition following the Survivor Game.

Not only will there be action on the ice, but we've got the big guns behind the bench as well. Former DU and current Valor Christian head coach George Gwozdecky (with Cap in the photo on the left) and former NHL star and current Avs broadcaster Peter McNab (with Dave Repsher) will be honorary coaches.

And what would Dawg Bowl be without the unique auction items you've come to expect? Signed jerseys and sticks, vacation packages, golf foursomes and more will excite bidders at this year's silent auction.

Stand Up is for the Dawgs

Better late than never. Stand Up for Dawg Nation IX was postponed when a heavy snow storm hit in mid-March. On April 17 a huge crowd turned out at Comedy Works for the rescheduled event.

“A big thank you to everyone who joined us,” said the Dawgfather, Martin Richardson. “We combined tears, cheers and of course laughs! The generosity was humbling and powerful.”

The Dawgs raised a record $60,000 which will go to help those in the hockey community in need.

The Dawgs pay tributre every year to a military hero who has made a difference. Army veteran Jerry DeVaul survived 3 tours in Afghanistan and Iraq only to lose his legs in a freak accident while at work in Trinidad. Jerry shared with the audience his fight to find himself and how sled hockey with the Warrior Avs has helped turn his life around. Jerry is president of the Warrior Avs. The Dawgs presented Jerry and the team a check for $5,000

Earlier this year 5 members of Dawg Nation visited Humboldt, Saskatchewan, and the site of the bus crash in April of 2018 that killed 16 members of the Broncos hockey team and injured 13 others. Several auction items at the Stand Up event benefited the team. The Dawgs, in their continuing support of the community, donated $5,500 to Humboldt.

A big shout out to our great comedians, Brandt Tobler, David Rodriguez, Elliot Woolsey and emcee Sam Adams (above). And a special thank you to the night's sponsor, Aspen Industries.

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.

Chris Stockert was a long time Arapahoe Hockey coach, teammate, friend, devoted husband and father. Chris died earlier this year leaving his loving wife Annette (next to Cap) and two sons, Easton (next to Annette) and Tillman. In late April the Dawgs presented the Stockert family a check for over $20,000! Also joining the Stockerts were Annette's daughter Annika and former NHL great and Dawg Nation Ambassador Jan Hejda.

During a game in March Westminster firefighter Lee Giroux took a slap shot to the face. He suffered multiple facial fractures. Being a true hockey player, Lee left the ice and drove himself to the hospital so he wouldn’t interrupt the game! In April, Dawg Nation met Lee at firehouse #2 in Westminster with a check to cover his medical bills.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised but also a little uncomfortable accepting this donation as I did not think I was deserving of such a gift,” said Giroux. “How lucky are we to have Martin and Dawg Nation to help out so many people in need. I am going to follow their lead and pay it forward to others that find themselves in dire situations.”

The Dawgs had also just received a couple of Claude Giroux signed sweaters and it made perfect sense to present Lee with one of those. Expect to see this tough guy back on the ice this summer!

Tanner Doty is a local hockey player and coach. During a game, he had trouble breathing and went to the locker room with shortness of breath. Paramedics were called and at first it was thought Tanner had suffered a heart attack. It was actually an infection around Tanner’s heart. The good news...Tanner has recovered. The Dawgs led by Cap, board member Mike Freeman and board president Todd Gehrke presented Tanner a check to help with medical bills.

Valor Pays it Forward

For the second straight season, Valor Christian's hockey team has stepped up for the Dawgs. During the 2018-19 season the Eagles were assessed minimal fines for minor team infractions such as being late for a meeting or wearing the wrong jersey to practice. Those fines totaled $332! The players voted on a charity to donate to. Once again they choose Dawg Nation. A BIG thank you to Valor Christian Hockey and head coach George Gwozdecky.