Our 2nd Quarter Newsletter is here.

Greetings!

The Dawgs help Marshall Fire victims, stage their first ever Cornhole Tournament and celebrate Olympic gold with a local sled hockey hero.

Let the Bags Fly!

There’s the Dawg Bowl. Stand Up for Dawg Nation Comedy Night. The Dawg Nation Winter Classic. And Tee it Up for Dawg Nation. Now, there’s the Dawg Nation Cornhole Tournament and the first one on April 30^th was a rousing success! Over 200 participated with prize money given to the best.

As always, the Dawgs made several presentations, assisting at a time when it is most needed.

Landon and Addison Squibbs recently lost both parents. We had a $5,000 check to help them battle on their own.

Enjoying the moment from left to right: Dawg Nation founder and CEO Martin Richardson, Jerry DeVaul, Matt Spang, Malik Jones, Landon, Will Kinghorn, Addison, Denver University hockey head coach David Carle and Dawg Nation Executive Director Mike Freeman.

DeVaul, Spang and Jones are members of the Colorado Sled Hockey national Championship team. Kinghorn is their coach. More on their title run later in this newsletter.

Earlier this year, Sam Beveridge lost his leg in a hunting accident. Mike and Marty (flanking Sam) presented him with a check for $20,000 to help with mounting medical and rehab bills. Sam is on the mend and looking to the future including sled hockey!

Among those offering encouragement to Sam are Jerry DuVaul (far left) and Colorado Sled Hockey star Pierce Grandchamp (far right).

USA! USA! Our auction raised close to $10,000. Brielle Blumengold proudly holds her signed team USA jersey with Paralympic gold medal winner Malik Jones. Nate Freeman waves the flag.

Tournament sponsors and long-time Dawg supporters Shane and Krista Fisher (right) enjoy their custom Denver University boards with head coach David Carle (left) and the National Championship trophy hoisted by Cap!

Mike Freeman (3rd from right) and Daryl Wilson (next to Carle) join the fun. A big thank you to Wilson and wife Colbie who, through their company, Yardhouse Creations, made all of the boards used in the tournament!

Mike Freeman with a prized auction item, an Avalanche board signed by the team. A primary assist to Jared Bednar on this one!

A HUGE thank you to Behind the Scenes Tap House for hosting the event, Yardhouse Creations who designed fabulous boards, DU's Coach David Carle, the always amazing Colorado Sled Hockey, and many others for helping us make this inaugural event a winner!

A Special Honor

Back in the day, when someone on the Dawgs hockey team needed help, all the players would toss money into a hat on the locker room floor to help. Jack Kelly was an original Dawg. His death in 2010 spurred longtime friend Martin Richardson to found Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation with the idea of helping as many as possible.

In May, the Dawgs annually present the Jack Kelly Award. “It is given for sportsmanship exemplifying those that play hard, play fair, are gracious in defeat, humble in victory and give back to their community,” said Mike Freeman.

From 8 nominees, Michael Maciolek earned the 2022 award. Mike is a huge Dawg Nation supporter and through Mainline West sponsors many of our events.

Finalists Rei Martinez, Garrett Ladd, Keith Young, Steve Holmes, Jason Martinez, Michael Maciolek, presenter Mike Freeman and Joe Mahoney are with the Jack Kelly award. Nominee Dan Turner is not pictured.

Love and Community Conquers All

In partnership with the Boulder Hockey Club, Long Hockey Community and the Roughriders Hockey Club, the Dawgs delivered $110,000 to Marshall Fire hockey families.

“While the devastation took homes and possessions, it did not diminish the generosity and love of the hockey community!” an emotional Mike Freeman said. Mike is joined by (left to right) Stacey Zis of the Boulder Hockey Club, Marshall fire survivors Keller, Gina and Tucker Collins and Cap.

There is more to be done.

Donate HERE

A Helping Paw

Getting people through tough times is what Dawg Nation is all about. In 12 years we’ve helped hundreds of families with over $3,000,000 in recipient aid. Thank you to all that donate, sponsor and bid for your continued support. We can’t do this without YOU!

In May, we had a surprise for Taylor Arenz. She recently suffered a broken leg during a beer league game. Taylor is engaged to teammate Nate Woznak. They plan to be married this fall. At Edge Ice Arena, the Dawgs presented a check for $2,500 to help with medical bills.

Mike Freeman (left), Taylor's teammate Jonathan Jay (2nd from right) and Dawg Nation board member Dave Chamberlain (right) joined Taylor and Nate.

In March, the Dawgs had the privilege of partnering with Krivo School of Hockey with a check for $12,200 to help one of Director Andrei Krivokrasov’s coaches. Daniel Kozachuk, is Ukrainian and played on Ukrainian National teams and professionally in the country. His family is fleeing from the war. It is difficult getting out of Ukraine. And expensive.

Coach Andrei (upper left photo), who is from Russia, said that we need to come together and make sure we take great care of our fellow human beings. Wonderful to see the generosity of the Krivo families towards another hockey family. Daniel Kozachuk (upper right photo, in blue) is with Marty, Dawg Nation board member Craig Blumengold and Mike. Blumengold coaches with Kozachuk at the Krivo school.

11 year old Cameron Shuck (above, right) has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He is one of three children of Bryce and Leanne (above, left).

In February, we helped dad Bryce (center) with a check for $10,500. Bryce is a hockey player who grew up in Alberta. Cameron had a week of chemo in Edmonton and recently returned to Colorado where he continues to undergo treatment.

Paster Mitch of Galilee Baptist Church (far left) joined with Mike Freeman, Dave Carr and his wife Barbara Franklin at the presentation. Dave nominated the Shucks for recipient aid. Dave was a recipient in 2020.

Roy and Virginia Howland lost their home in the Marshall Fire.

“Coach Roy is a pillar of the hockey community, “said Mike Freeman. “He’s a coach and mentor to many, including those with special needs in the Colorado Ice Wizards.” The Ice Wizards are a Special Hockey Program for those age 5 through adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In February, the Dawgs presented a check for $19,200 to Roy and Virginia as they look to rebuild. The Howlands (between Marty and Mike) are joined by (left to right) their son David and co-nominators Tom Marshall and Mary Strine, a '21 recipient.

Read More Incredible Stories HERE

Hey O, Jonny O

The 2nd Annual Jonny O 3 on 3 tournament near St. Louis was exciting for all. The new Dawg Nation St. Louis branch, led by Jared Schmierbach, Matt Heath and Jonny Orelt, did an amazing job in raising almost $100,000!

At the tournament we helped the St. Louis Warriors, a veteran-based organization, a Ukrainian hockey player and his displaced family, and a local hockey player injured in an accident. Funds were also used for the continued recovery of Jonny O. He's with Mike Freeman (left).

In September of 2020, Jon 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 Dawgs occurred.

Jonny holds the trophy for one of the championship teams. Reed Low (in blue, far left) from the St. Louis Blues Alumni Association and Tournament Director Jared Schmierbach (in blue, right) join in the presentation. Might be cold on the paws, but Jonny's service dog, Koda, seems to have found a lot of new friends!

“The Jonny O was first and foremost a powerful reminder to Jonny O that he is loved and remembered and has not been forgotten," said Freeman. "Secondly, the Jonny O inspired survivors and recipients from across the country to come and play and be part of the incredible community and family that is ORELT Strong!”

A BIG thank you to the St. Louis Blues alumni that all competed in a charity game to kick off the weekend.

Lacing 'em up were Cam Janssen (upper left, sharing a moment with former NHL referee Tim Peel), Reed Low (upper right), Andy MacDonald (below left in white) plus Alex Brooks, Mike McKenna and Jim Campbell. The legendary Charles Glenn wowed us with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

The first tournament in '21 raised $55,000 for Jon and his family. The St. Louis branch is already working on next year's tournament!

Paying it Forward

Rob Mancey has been a longtime supporter of Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation. Rob and Executive Director Mike Freeman and their families first met at Cherry Hills Christian. Mike encouraged Rob, a native Canadian, to give hockey a try. That had been a bucket list item for Rob, so he started skating lessons. He was naturally drawn to Dawg Nation and appreciated the story of hockey players helping hockey players. Rob now sponsors a hole and hands you a beer, a Molson of course, at the Tee It Up for Dawg Nation event. Rob says, “I am a fan of the cause and believe in people helping others in this world.”

In 2015, Rob got involved with the Canada Colorado Association. They were looking for a charity sponsor for their golf tournament in 2018 and chose Dawg Nation. Rob is now the president of CCA (www.CanadaColorado.com) and sees a great symbiotic relationship between Dawg Nation and CCA because of the mutual love for hockey.

On the Ice

In March, the USA Paralympics Sled Hockey team took the gold in Bejing. The Dawgs welcomed a huge crowd at Bout Time Pub for the Gold Medal Game and the games leading to the finals. Everyone was glued to the TV screens as Malik Jones, a long time friend of the Dawgs, and Team USA whipped Canada 5-0!

Malik, from Aurora, Colorado, scored 4 goals and assisted on another in the 4 games.

Malik and National Sled Hockey Champion Jerry DeVaul then joined in the fun at the Dawgs Cornhole tournament in April.

The Dawg’s Jan Hejda continues to shine as a coach. This year, he’s behind the bench of the new Jr. Gamblers (U14) AAA team.

Recently they reached the Tier 1 national semi-finals after winning the Central District title. The former NHL star coached the first ever Junior Dawgs team a year ago. Playing in the Elite AAA Division that team finished second at the prestigious CCM Chicago Town Shuffle.

In April, the Colorado Sled Hockey Avalanche A team won the elite division at the 2022 Disabled Hockey Festival in Pittsburgh. In overtime, Colorado native Malik Jones scored the winner!

Because of the pandemic, the festival returned for the first time since ’19 with over 120 teams and 1,500 athletes competing.

“I’m so proud of them,” praised head coach Will Kinghorn. “Man, it was exciting!”

Signing On

Season Two has already produced 7 new podcasts. Co-hosted by Marty and Mike, the DawgPods have been a hit with hockey fans everywhere.

AHL referee Samantha Hiller, the Avs Logan O’Connor, and Dave Carle, coach of the NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers, are among the guests. Inspiring stories and fun times await!

HEAR the Podcasts HERE

Coming Up

The 12^th Annual Dawg Bowl takes center stage June 22-26 at Edge Arena. A record 58 teams and over 1,000 players will compete for titles in 9 divisions.

No auction tops a Dawg Bowl auction for off the charts one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and you can bid online! Enjoy the food trucks, contests and live music throughout the weekend.

Not to be missed is the Survivor Game. It features players who have overcome injury or illness to return to the game they love. In many cases, participants say it is the chance to be in this game that fueled their recovery.

Led by Mike and Suzanne Shaw, Shaw Hockey Productions is back streaming even more games including one from every team as well as all platinum games, championship games, and the Survivor Game. Check our website for games and times.