Greetings!
We celebrate the new year with the debut of our podcast, join two who have made remarkable recoveries, look in on the new rink and applaud two hockey stars on the rise.
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Dawg Nation is on the air! Our much anticipated podcast debuted January 21. Cap and Mike Freeman swapped tall tales and got the state of the Avs from head coach Jared Bednar.
"The podcasts are an extension of who we are at Dawg Nation," Freeman told listeners. "It's another way we can give back."
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Peter McNab, former NHL star and current Avs TV analyst joined us February 5th. Peter had so many fun and poignant stories to tell that we brought him back for an encore! |
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“Our DawgPod shows give everyone the opportunity to hear from so many wonderful guests in the hockey world and beyond,” said Richardson. “It’s great to be up and running.”
Enjoy new podcasts every two weeks and catch up on any episodes you may have missed on the Dawg Nation website.
AVAILABLE NOW and COMING SOON
January 21, Jared Bednar
February 5 and 18, Peter McNab
March 4, Milan Hejduk
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Thank you! Once again your willingness to help has overwhelmed us. Colorado Gives Day was December 8. Combined with the Year End Giving Campaign, you contributed nearly $60,000 that helps us help those in the hockey community.
How big is that? It’s more than we received in the first 10 years of the Colorado Gives campaign!
“Dawg Nation has always relied on your generosity to enable us to do what we do,” enthused Dawg Nation Executive Director Mike Freeman. “You’ve never let us down.”
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To be a Dawg, You’ve Got to Look Like a Dawg |
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We like to say, “Proud to be a Dawg.” Now, you can prove it! Thanks to K1 Sportswear we’re offering exact replicas of our original DAWGS sweater for the incredibly low price of $75!
Customize with your name and favorite number. You get “game weight” jersey material, stitched-on patch and the “JK” logo.
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Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In 10 years we've helped over 200 families with more than $2,000,000 in recipient aid. |
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Luke Ciolli excels in hockey for his junior team, the Fairbanks Ice Dawgs. The Colorado Springs native is planning on playing next for the Army hockey team. In October, Luke (with his dad, Mike) needed surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. |
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In November, the Dawgs joined forces with the Rampage Hockey Club to present Luke and the Ciolli family a check for $23,850 to help with some major medical bills. Luke is currently rehabbing and making plans to be back on the ice with the Black Knights. |
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Lori and husband Brian “Opie” Wassberg are long-time mainstays in the Colorado hockey world. They faced rough times last year. Lori was stricken with COVID-19, was in a coma and on a ventilator for two weeks. The happy news? Lori survived and is recovering.
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In December, the Dawgs and many more paid tribute to Lori with a check for $17,000 to cover numerous expenses. |
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In December, the Dawgs joined with Ryan Zuccarelli and the North Metro Fire and Rescue to surprise Amy Moilanen whose husband, Craig, died of cancer in 2015. Since that time, the firefighters at North Metro have hosted an annual hockey tournament to help Amy and her family. With COVID, the 2020 tourney was cancelled. The Dawgs, Ryan and the Metro crew combined to present Amy with a check for $6,500 that exceeded the amount raised from the tournament in 2019. A Christmas miracle indeed. |
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Jon Orelt, with dad Al (above) was a lifelong hockey player including high school and more recently in recreation leagues. In September, he was electrocuted and suffered a broken neck. Jon spent the next three months recovering and learning a new way of living at the world-renowned Craig Hospital in Denver. |
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In December, the Dawgs and Dawg Nation Ambassador Cody “Beeks” Beekman (above) surprised Jon with a check for $13,450. Jon continues to make great strides. He looks forward to being back on the ice as a sled hockey player. Based on his attitude, we know he will succeed.
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Jon’s family, friends, teammates and the Dawgs will stage a 3 on 3 indoor pond hockey tournament April 17-18 at the Affton Rink. 5 divisions are based on age and skill level. There is a 4 game guarantee. All games are half ice and 30 minutes. All players receive a T-Shirt and souvenirs. Join us for a BBQ, silent auction and more. All proceeds will go to help Jon and his family. |
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In December, we lost a special friend when Gary Pedigo, Sr. died of COVID. “Gary was a fixture in the Colorado hockey scene for decades,” remembered Martin Richardson. “An accomplished official at virtually every level, Gary spent thousands of hours at the rinks around Colorado. Many of you had the pleasure of having Gary referee one of your games.” Gary was a member of the Colorado Ice Hockey Officials Hall of Fame. |
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In January, the Dawgs joined firefighters, police officers, referees, hockey players and many others to celebrate Gary’s life. A flag folding ceremony ended with the presentation to Gary’s wife, Jacqueline.
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The Dawgs presented Jacquie with a check for $15,500.
“Gary dedicated his life to others, first serving his country in Vietnam, and then serving his community as a lifelong firefighter,” an emotional Richardson said. “We will miss him.”
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On June 5th of last year, Dave Carr was hit head-on in a car accident. He was a recipient at Dawg Bowl X.
In November, well…let him tell you. “21 weeks ago I was in a stretcher unable to move...not knowing whether I was going to live or die…by the Glory of God, the prayers of so many, and the kindness of Dawg Nation...here I am…living! Thanks to DAWG Nation! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you guys!”
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In January, Dave (2nd from right) with Cap, Leif Skulborstad, Dawg Nation Board President Todd Gehrke, Mike Freeman and others played pond hockey at Evergreen Lake! |
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On June 7th of 2020, Tony Cozza (l) suffered life threatening injuries in a motorcycle accident. Tony was another recipient at Dawg Bowl X, joining with Dave Carr. They shared their similar stories and noted that their accidents, two days apart, could have been interchangeable. Like Dave, Tony has made a remarkable recovery.
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They were only 12 when Cap took this picture with the boys, but NHL Hall of Famer and Dawg Nation board member Milan Hejduk has some competition…from his now 17 year old twins!
Marek Hejduk (l), a forward, is on the U.S. National Development Team. Many on this elite squad are bound for the prestigious World Junior tournament.
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In December, David, a defenceman, signed with the Wenatchee Wild of the British Columbia Hockey League, the next step in his march to the NHL.
For Milan, wife Zlata and all of us at Dawg Nation it is a time of excitement and anticipation.
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In mid-November initial core samples were taken by ground engineers at the site of the planned Dawg Nation Ice Arena in Castle Pines, Colorado. The next steps (Phase 1) include site development, finalizing floor plans, and detailing costs.
Over $700,000 has been donated for the new facility that will house three sheets of ice, locker room facilities, a pro shop, a restaurant and more. The Dawg Nation arena has been designed with all skaters in mind and will become the premier sled/adaptive hockey facility in the nation.
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There is a very special way to be involved in our dream arena. We proudly present the “Founder Wall.” A $50,000 donation includes a framed customized jersey prominently displayed in the rink facility’s main hall. Only 10 spots remain for personal or corporate contributors. DAWG Nation is continuing to focus on securing anchor donors and major partners in philanthropy.
For more information on the Founder Wall, major gifts or sponsorships, or naming opportunities, please contact Dawg Nation CEO Martin Richardson at 303-898-6687 or email: mrichardson@dawgnation.org
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The Dawgs lost a good friend in December when Andy Finney passed away after a 17 month fight with pancreatic cancer. Andy was raised in Minnesota and played hockey throughout his life. He was also a game official and a coach with the Centaurus High School hockey team. Andy was a part of the 2020 Winter Classic Pond Hockey Tournament. And he loved the Grateful Dead. |
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“Andy was a true warrior,” said Martin Richardson. “He will be dearly missed by everyone that he touched.”
His wife Gina and three children ask that any donations be made on Andy's behalf to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org or Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation www.dawgnationhockey.org
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Thanks to Mike “Gags” Gagliardi and the team at Never Summer Industries. Gags presented the Dawg Father and Mike Freeman with custom designed Dawg Nation snowboards. Featuring design work by Nicole Bosley, the boards will become part of an upcoming auction. Get ready to bid! |
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Dawg Nation Ambassador and former Avs great Jan Hejda couldn't wait for snow to try out the boards!
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Dont forget to register your team for the 3 on 3 indoor pond hockey tournament April 17-18 at the Affton Rink. All proceeds will go to help Jon Orelt and his family.
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Dawg Bowl XI will be here before you know it. It’s set for June 23-27 at the Edge Ice Arena. Over 50 teams will battle for trophies in 7 divisions. Check the Dawg Nation website for news on the incredible on-line auction and we hope, the return of The Survivor Game.
Have a team that wants to join the excitement?
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Pond Hockey will return in ’22. No, we’re not jumping the gun…just looking ahead after we canceled this year’s event due to the pandemic. Thank you to our teams and sponsors. We look forward to a bigger and better tournament than ever in Silverthorne next year.
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To Our Suporters, Donors, Partners, and Sponsors ...Thank You! |
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This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery. Photos by Kelli Packard and JWD Imagery. Andy Finney photos courtesy of the family.
Thanks to Martin Richardson, Mike Freeman, 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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