Our 1st Quarter 2023 Newsletter is here.

Greetings!

From Minnesota to Saskatchewan to Colorado, the Dawgs kick off the new year with big events and as always meet inspiring and courageous people along the way.

Pond Hockey Heads East

Running a pond hockey tournament 1,000 miles from home is a daunting task, but we pulled it off. In February, Prior Lake in Minnesota was the setting as the Dawgs staged a special weekend to benefit Minnesota’s own Ethan Glynn.

“E” as he’s referred to by his teammates, was the captain of his hockey team, loved playing baseball, and was very impressive on the football field. At 15, Ethan’s life forever changed last September. A routine football tackle in his first ever high school game resulted in a broken neck leaving him unable to move his arms and legs. After three months at the world-renowned Craig Hospital in Denver, Ethan returned to Minnesota.

Expenses continue to mount. Ethan will require continuing care for the rest of his life. Dawg Nation created this event to help the Glynns with their ongoing challenge.

The Pondy on Prior tournament and auction enabled the Dawgs to present a check for $81,000 to Ethan and his family - dad Corey, mom Cassidy and older brother Parker.

It was a bad winter for ice and there was a chance it would be too thin to skate on. To the rescue was our tourney MVP, Jan Hejda! The former NHL star and current Dawg Nation Ambassador saved the tournament by finding an Olympic ice resurfacer to make the ice playable. Jan (left with Ethan and Cap) calls Minnesota home and worked for months to make this weekend a reality. Ethan's number was 8. "JUST BE GR8" came to epitomize Pondy on Prior and Ethan's perseverance.

A special video was shown at the JUST BE GR8 reception during Pondy on Prior. The song, "Footprints in the World," was written and produced by George Canyon, the anthem singer for the Calgary Flames. George and Cappy met last spring at a Flames-Avalanche game and the country music star was instantly moved by Ethan’s story. We thank the Glynn family for the photos and videos and Sean Heraty and Brad Stabio at Stabio Productions.

Watch Ethan's Story HERE

Thank you to everyone that helped us put on another amazing Dawg Nation event and to the Bloomington Jefferson community that rallied behind one of their own.

The Dawgs Go North to Humboldt

“It was a whirlwind with many powerful moments, a few tears and lots of cheers,” said an excited Dawg Nation founder and CEO Martin Richardson. “We are beyond honored to be associated with Humboldt Hockey and the Humboldt community.” It was a relationship that began following the April 6, 2018 bus crash that killed 16 players and staff.

An amazing two days in Saskatchewan culminated with the presentation of Dawg Nation’s first ever Humboldt Bronco scholarships. The scholarship idea was the brainchild of Broncos head coach Scott Barney (l) and is awarded to the individuals that put others before themselves, treat everyone with respect, and live life like a DAWG!

Congratulations to current Humboldt players Connor Casparie and Lucas Ceccarelli, the 2023 recipients.

The Dawgs also presented Humboldt Hockey with a check for $8,000 that will be used for players to take online college classes during their time with the Broncos.

The celebration included (left to right) Cap, Casparie, DN Board Member Dave Chamberlin, DN Board Chairman Greg Clinard, Kurt Liecht whose son Jacob died in the crash, Ceccarelli and friend of the Dawgs Carl Poole.

The Dawgs were also guests at a University of Saskatchewan game. Brayden Camrud is one of 13 Humboldt survivors and now plays for the U of S. Camrud gave Martin and the Dawgs a tour of the Huskie facilities before their game.

Martin had the honor of dropping the ceremonial first puck at the Humboldt - Kindersley game won by the Broncos 7-2

Greg Clinard had some pregame advice for the boys.

A first for Marty, wife Cindy, Dave and Greg. Special thanks to a wonderful friend of Dawg Nation for getting us to Saskatchewan in style!

Paralympians and Broncos Come to Colorado

In January, the Dawgs celebrated life as they welcomed seven Humboldt survivors and members of USA Sled Hockey for a weekend of hockey, skiing and more. A huge thank you to Sheldon Wolitski who created Colorado Extreme Hockey and to Challenge Aspen for making it happen!

All were guests of the Colorado Avalanche, Avs President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and head coach Jared Bednar for the game against Anaheim. Celebrating the Avs win are (left to right) Dawg Nation supporters Carl Poole and Sheldon Wolitski, Patrick Donnelly, Humboldt's Graysen Cameron, Joe Sakic, Humboldt's Xavier LaBelle, Cap, Jared Bednar, Humboldt's Bryce Fiske and Nick Shumlanski and friend of the Broncos Michael Benn. In front are Humboldt's Ryan Straschnitzki and Kaleb Dahlgren.

"Not quite the day 2 we had planned," said the Dawg Father. "We were met with snow, ice, closed roads, bad travel decisions and our 4 hour trip to Aspen took 13! But we did a lot of team building and everyone is safe, happy and glad to be together. Here’s to making lemonade out of lemons!"

Patrick Donnelly (left photo), former DN recipient and now DN Operations Manager, was behind the wheel.

Dawg Nation, Team USA Sled Hockey, and the Humboldt Broncos were up front at the XGames. Left to right are Colorado Extreme Hockey's Sheldon Wolitski, Humboldt's Graysen Cameron, Cap and Humboldt's Tyler Smith.

Clockwise from upper left: Humboldt survivor Ryan “Straz” Straschnitzki, sled hockey player Jerry DeVaul skis for the first time, U.S. Paralympic gold medal sled hockey star Malik Jones. A terrific weekend with wonderful friends.

Thank You!!!

You did it again! On Colorado Gives Day, you contributed over $112,000 to support Dawg Nation and help us help our community. That is an all-time record surpassing the $65,000 you donated in 2021. Thank you for your financial support every year. It allows Dawg Nation to continue to aid those that need our help.

Support Us HERE

Paying it Forward

Thank you to C.J. Yoder and his Colorado Springs Thunder inline squad for their incredible generosity. In December, we were humbled to be chosen as this year’s charity of choice at their annual jersey auction fundraiser. Fast paced fun at the Xfinity Rink in Colorado Springs was capped with a donation of nearly $800. Thank you C.J. and the Thunder for giving us a night to remember!

A Helping Paw

In January, we celebrated 12 years of making a difference and giving back to the hockey community. In those 12 years we’ve helped hundreds of families with close to $4,000,000 in recipient aid. Thank you to all that donate, sponsor and bid for your continued support. We can’t do this without YOU!

Ashton Stephenson played hockey and has been a trainer for Metro State University in Denver. Last October, a car accident left him with multiple fractures and a spinal cord injury. In January, the Dawgs presented the Stephenson family with a check for $42,000. With Ashton are (left to right) Dave Chamberlin and the Dawg Father, Ashton's parents Jaime and Meghan, all-time sled hockey great Declan Farmer and Humboldt's Graysen Cameron. In front with Ashton is Humboldt's Ryan Straschnitzki.

We were honored to make a difference in the lives of the Stephenson family. Ashton has a long road ahead and feared his hockey career had come to an end. "That was before he was introduced to sled hockey player extraordinaire Jerry DeVaul and his band of sled hockey buddies," said Martin Richardson picking up the story. "That meeting resulted in quick friendships, inspiring words of encouragement and culminated with Ashton trying sled hockey for the first time."

Joining this brave young man on the ice was Ashton’s dad Jaime (c), and his lifelong buddy Christian Moreno (r). Christian has quite a story himself as a two-time liver cancer survivor and also a Dawg Nation intern!"

Recently, former recipient Jerry DeVaul contacted us and shared the story of Dennis Houston. A two-minute minor on us as we spelled it wrong on the check. Dennis was paralyzed in a car accident in 2018. Recently, he was hospitalized and out of work for several months. Dennis is doing better now and looks forward to returning to work and being back on the ice for sled hockey.

We were thrilled to present Dennis with a check for $4,000 to help with his ongoing medical bills. Joining Dennis (in the blue ski hat) are (left to right) Jerry DeVaul, Christian Moreno, DN Operations Manager Patrick Donnelly and DN Ambassador Andy Gerrie.

Willie and Martin

The Willie O'Ree Award is special. Every year the National Hockey League recognizes an individual who impacts their community, culture, or society through the sport of hockey.

Dawg Nation founder Martin Richardson is a two-time semifinalist and one of this year's nominees. He exemplifies what it means to be a hero in the hockey community. Here's to the Dawg Father for his willingness to make life better for so many. We hope this is the year his tireless effort and hard work gets recognized!

Time to Stream

Season three of the wildly popular Dawg Nation podcasts is coming soon. If you missed any of the Season 2 episodes you can still listen with Martin Richardson and the inimitable Mike Freeman.

Among the guests, Jake Schroeder, David Carle, John-Michael Liles (left), Samantha Hiller, referee Dave Jackson (right), Logan O’Connor and Peter Wallen have terrific stories to tell.

HEAR All the Podcasts HERE

Coming Up

Get your tickets now for Stand Up For Dawg Nation Comedy Night. It's March 8 at Comedy Works South. This years' lineup features some of Denver's favorite comics and the Dawgs will have special recipient awards to help those in need.

Gillespie

Comstock

Hammock

Mike Hammock combines edgy humor with a good natured broad appeal that earned him Colorado’s top spot as Comedy Works’ 2018 New Faces Contest Winner.

Georgia Comstock is a regular at Comedy Works and has been featured in comedy festivals around the country.

Steve Gillespie’s second comedy album Alive on State reached #1 on iTunes Comedy Chart and hit the top 10 on the Billboard charts. His 3rd comedy album Liminal Bliss reached #2 on the iTunes Comedy Charts, so he is getting worse!

Order Tickets HERE!

Add to the fun with dinner before the show at Lucy Restaurant above the club.

For reservations: 720-274-6868

Comedy Works South is located at 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village.

We're thrilled that Aspen Industries returns as our title sponsor for Stand-Up for Dawg Nation. Aspen Industries has been a longtime supporter and events like these wouldn't be possible without their generosity.

Last Shot!

In October, Brian Peoples suffered a massive stroke. 4 months later the former professional triathlete took to the ice with Marty and the rest of the Dawgs’ Hockey Heals crew. After, Brian (c) celebrated his return to the ice with The Dawg Father and DN Operations Manager Patrick Donnelly. You’ve still got it Brian!