Our 2nd Quarter 2023 Newsletter is here!

From big events to brave survivors, the Dawgs have been busy making a difference to many. Enjoy their stories.

Heart Warming

It is truly an amazing time for Dawg Nation as we celebrate the number of friends and co-workers who have received heart transplants.

Patrick Donnelly, a long-time hockey player and former Dawg Nation recipient, battled congestive heart failure since 2011. After years of waiting, Patrick, who is Dawg Nation’s Operations Manager, received a new heart on April 7.

Lily Palan was diagnosed with a rare form of heart failure last year. Her family moved to Colorado to seek the best care. In September 2022, the Dawgs presented the Palan family with over $25,000 to help with enormous medical bills.

In April, a match was found and 7 year old Lily received her new heart at Children’s Hospital.

Nigel Richardson is thriving after his heart transplant in 2021. He’s a master chef who has cooked for many a Dawg Nation gathering and he’s worn the Dawg sweater from the beginning. “I’ve had a lot of blessings in my life, but it’s hard to beat having your lifelong best friend also being your big brother," said Dawg Nation CEO Martin Richardson with Nigel and Milan Hejduk. "Nigel is my teammate, my protector, my biggest fan, and my hero.”

"To know someone died for you to live is very tough to wrap your mind around,” said Nigel, with wife Kelly. 1% survive the kind of heart attack he had. “Was he a husband? Was he a father? 22 people a day die in this country waiting for an organ transplant. This is my second lease on life. I won't waste it."

Sebastian Hitvig is a lifelong hockey fanatic and player. His story began innocently enough when he stepped on a toothpick. That led to a staph infection and ended with a heart transplant. Sebastian is with fellow heart transplant recipient Patrick Donnelly.

Perhaps Kaleb Kurtz should be counted twice. At three months old he needed a heart transplant. It lasted 29 years! Kaleb, with dad Jason, needed and received a second heart in February. Like, Patrick, Lily, Sebastian and Nigel, Kaleb will be on the ice at the Dawg Bowl Survivor Game in June!

Heart of the Matter

We are thankful for a second chance for all our friends, but we also remember those who died and their heroic decision to be organ donors.

Logan Boulet is one. On April 6, 2018, the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team was in a bus crash that killed 16 players and staff and left 13 injured. Logan died, but his decision to become an organ donor enabled six other people to live. In the weeks following the tragedy 150,000 signed to become organ donors, the largest number of Canadians registering due to one event. And one person. Logan. April 7 is now Green Shirt Day in Canada to remember Humboldt and in honor of what is now called the Logan Boulet Effect.

Patrick Donnelly’s heart transplant was April 7, 5 years to the day after Logan Boulet died from his injuries. Dawg Nation founder and president Martin Richardson shared the news of Patrick’s new heart with Logan’s father Toby and mother Bernadine. Toby said, “Marty! There is no coincidence that Patrick found hope from an Angel Donor and received life today on April 7th. No doubt his Angel Donor passed on April 6th and the Bronco Family took care and delivered the precious heart to Patrick on April 7th.”

As you read this, there are thousands waiting for a transplant.

Click HERE to Learn More About Organ Donation

Teaming Up

In April, Sarah Karr and Hilary McNeish shared a special moment. Both love hockey. Both are fighting cancer.

"I've played in the Dawg Bowl Tournament for years and gone to many of their events. I never expected to be highlighted in one of them," said Hilary. "My friend Sarah, who's on her own cancer journey, and the Dawg Father presented me with a Hockey Fights Cancer jersey from Sarah, that with the help of Marty was signed by the ENTIRE Colorado Avalanche team! The gesture was beautiful, as is the jersey. Thank you Dawgs and Sarah. I can't thank you enough!"

A Helping Paw

We have topped the $4 million mark in aid to hockey families! Who would have thought that an adult league hockey team passing around a hat in a locker room to help a fallen teammate would turn into this?!

Referee James Stahr and youth hockey coach Stacey Stonehocker were injured in a car accident last October. Both are recovering but medical bills continue to pile up. In April the Dawgs surprised Stacey and James, presenting both with checks for $10,000.

Celebrating are (left to right) Garrett Ladd, Cap, Kathy Nau, James, Andrew O'Donnell, Stacey and Dawg Nation board member and secretary Craig Blumengold.

Chelsea Asmus is a new youth hockey referee who shattered her wrist while officiating a squirt game. Her wrist required surgery and has kept her out of work including one of her jobs as a Zamboni driver. In March, at Family Sports Center, the Dawgs presented her with a check for $5,000 to help with medical expenses. Making the night special, Chelsea (center) was joined by family and friends along with Dawg Nation board member Dave Chamberlin (3rd from left), DN board member Bill Miller (3rd from right) and DN Operations Manager Patrick Donnelly (right).

"Thank you to everyone that has sponsored, volunteered, donated, supported and has been there to provide a hug when it is needed most,” said Cap. “We are humbled to the core by the generosity of so many and beyond thrilled to celebrate the $4,000,000 milestone with all of you. Thank you all!"

Ethan is Back in Town!

Ethan Glynn, a star high school hockey player, was paralyzed while playing in a football game last September. The Dawgs have been by his side ever since.

Led by Dawg Nation Ambassador and former NHL star Jan Hejda (left), the Dawgs staged a pond hockey tournament in Minnesota in February that raised $81,000 for the Glynn family.

Ethan’s number is 8 and the JUST BE GR8 movement was born.

In April, Ethan and his family (dad Corey, mom Cassidy and older brother Parker) were in Denver. Ethan spent three months in rehab at Craig Hospital after the accident. This time, he was in Denver to become SCUBA certified!

The Glynns joined our Hockey Heals group. Ethan drifted his chair around the circles and through the blue paint.

One of the top auction items from the Pondy on Prior tournament was a luxury suite at Ball Arena as the Avs took on Minnesota in March. Thanks to winning bidder Tim Engeldinger who brought many who helped with the tournament to the game.

At the morning skate, Ethan sneaked off to meet the Wild and get a jersey signed by the whole team. It wasn't for himself. It was for a friend. Ethan's brother Parker (3rd from left) joined Minnesota players while they signed.

Cap and the Dawgs made it an amazing night at the game. Broadcasters Kenny Albert and Keith Jones dropped by the suite. Ethan was joined by NHL veteran Ryan Reaves. The two (Ryan was inactive for the game) watched their team beat the Avalanche. Ethan's doctor from his stay at Craig Hospital was also on hand.

Thanks to Mikko Koivu, Andrew Heydt, Kenny, Keith, Ryan, Joe Sakic, Jared Bednar, Sean McGraw and many more for making it a night of miracles. And Dawg Nation has a big tap of the stick for Jonesy who was recently named President of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers!

The CLASH

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.

Below: Ashton with a friend and with Cap, mom and dad.

Fast forward to April as the Dawgs staged The CLASH, a 3 on 3 tournament that raised almost $47,000 more to help Ashton.

Thanks to title sponsor Ramos Law and to Marrick Medical for sponsoring the Try Sled Hockey portion of The CLASH. This event showed that hockey truly is for everyone!

"Erin Boreing, the newest member of our Dawg Nation team, made quite an impact in the lead role at the 3v3 CLASH,” said the Dawg Father. “Erin jumped in with both feet (no skates yet) and orchestrated a tremendous event that exceeded all of our goals, but most importantly provided a much deserved financial and emotional assist to a wonderful hockey family!”

St. Louis Here We Come

In September of 2020, Jon Orelt was paralyzed in a freak accident. He spent three months recovering and rehabilitating at the world-renowned Craig Hospital in Colorado where the connection to the Dawgs occurred. Home in St. Louis, Jon and many friends along with Dawg Nation stage a 3-on-3 tournament to benefit those in the Missouri hockey community. Helping to make it happen are (left to right) Matt Heath, Samir Salah and tournament director Jared Schmierbach.

Like the first two, Jonny O’s third annual 3-on-3 tournament this year was a huge success.

The tournament has multiple divisions based on skill level. Proceeds help Jon in his recovery as well as others selected by Dawg Nation. In 3 years, the tournament has raised over $190,000!

Stand Up for Dawg Nation

In March, The Comedy Works was packed. Stand Up for Dawg Nation returned for the 12th year. Mike Hammock, Georgia Comstock (below), and Steve Gillespie had the big crowd in stitches from the start.

The evening raised $70,000. As always, the Dawgs give back at this event. Wayne “Smokey” Fleming (left) was the equipment manager for the Colorado Avalanche and now runs Smokey's Skate Shop. Because he has type 2 diabetes, the Dawgs presented him with a check for $15,000 to help with medical expenses. With Smokey are (left to right) Scott Parker, Sabrina Slater and Anthony Mulei.

Thanks to Aspen Industries, who has partnered with us on this event for 10 years running.

Remembering a Friend

In April, at age 60, Dan Darling succumbed to the cancer he had been fighting since last year. Among his many skills, Dan was a hockey player, scuba diver, baseball player, a builder and a boater. He was also a father, a veteran and a loving husband to wife Alessandra.

Kevin Schildt of the South Carolina Stingrays alerted us to Dan’s situation and the Dawgs gave the family a check for $11,500 shortly before Dan passed away. In lieu of flowers, his family believes a gift to Dawg Nation would be a wonderful way to honor Dan and a life well lived.

Coming Up

Dawg Bowl XIII returns June 21-25 at Edge Ice Arena. 54 teams will fight for the cherished Dawg Bowl trophy in 7 divisions. Sled and blind hockey teams will skate in exhibition games. Not to be missed: the auction featuring collectables you won’t find anywhere else.

As always, the Survivor Game will be front and center and this year the theme of Dawg Bowl is Donate Life in support of organ donation. As you've read, many of Dawg Nation’s recipients have received lifesaving organ donations. Patrick Donnelly, Sebastian Hitvig, Nigel Richardson and Kaleb Kurtz (not shown) will all participate. Lily Palan (with dad Evan) will drop the ceremonial first puck!

Last Shot!

Every year the National Hockey League recognizes an individual who impacts their community, culture, and society through the sport of hockey. The Willie O'Ree Award is special. O’Ree was the first Black player in the National Hockey League.

The Jackie Robinson of hockey was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

Dawg Nation founder Martin Richardson is a three-time Willie O'Ree Award semifinalist, and this year a finalist for the first time. Cap is a tireless worker whose efforts to make life better have touched thousands.

Voting by the public for this prestigious award is over. Now, an NHL committee will make a recommendation. O’Ree will too. The Willie O’Ree Award will be presented June 26 at the NHL awards banquet in Nashville. Martin will be there. Here’s to his name following, “And the winner is…!”