Our 3rd Quarter 2023 Newsletter is here!

Dawg Bowl, a Dash, and a Showdown make for a busy time at Dawg Nation.

As Good as it Gets

Dawg Bowl XIII was, in a word… amazing. Over 50 teams and 1,000 players took part battling for the trophy in multiple divisions.

There were sled, blind and Special Hockey exhibitions and the emotion-packed Survivor Game with the theme of Donate Life in support of organ donation.

With a record $300,000 raised, the Dawgs gave back many times and in big ways!

Nigel's Story

Martin Richardson

It began when my brother Nigel connected with his donor family last fall. The Hartleys were rocked to the core on April 9, 2021 when they lost their beloved Sean in a motorcycle accident. Sean was active, fit, lived life to its fullest, loved deeply, was a friend to many. He was an organ donor. Nigel needed a new heart after a near fatal heart attack two years ago. The Hartleys tragic loss gave my brother a second chance at life, a chance that he will never take for granted.

Nigel and wife Kelly talked to the Hartleys on many occasions looking forward to the day they would finally meet. I first spoke to Sean’s older brother Ryan in December. I floated the idea of a couple of family members coming to Colorado and surprising Nigel at his first ever Survivor Game. Ryan then called me on Christmas Day and tearfully told me the entire family would come.

Once the Survivor Game festivities began, it remained under wraps despite 18 emotional people all wearing Hartley jerseys with 49 (April 9th) on their backs. I then took the mic for the ceremonial puck drop with Nigel and fellow transplant recipients Patrick Donnelly and Lily Palan.

I shared the importance of “checking the box” and the possibility of saving a life. I also shared the fact that these now connected families were facing completely opposite emotions of elation and devastation. I then said to Nigel, “Someday we will meet the family that saved your life. Please turn around because that day is today!”

My brother proceeded to greet and embrace all 18 members of the family. Ryan (below right) then asked Nigel to switch jerseys and put on a #49 Hartley jersey in honor of Sean. Once the puck dropped it took less than a minute for Nigel/Sean to score the first goal! And in fitting fashion, Nigel/Sean then scored the last goal to give the white team the victory!

After the game the Hartleys, including Sean's sister Kristen Byers (left) presented Nigel with a heart necklace containing Sean’s ashes and we presented Sean’s mother with a personalized stethoscope with Sean’s initials on it. The family then one by one once again listened to their Sean’s heart.

The Survivor Game

Many of Dawg Nation's recipients have received lifesaving organ donations. The Survivor Game featured five heart transplant recipients and a heroic roster of warriors who have overcome debilitating illness or accident.

Many of these survivors credit hockey and the chance to play in the Survivor Game as reasons they kept battling through the toughest of times.

It's a Special Sweater

Dawg Nation Operations Manager Patrick Donnelly (right) received his long-awaited heart just two months prior to the Survivor Game. Kaleb Kurtz (with Donnelly), Lily Palan, Sebastian Hitvig and Nigel Richardson were all heart transplant recipients.

The jerseys were designed in honor of organ donation. More than 100,000 people in the United States alone are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Our goal at Dawg Bowl was for every player to leave the tournament as a registered organ donor.

On the back of each jersey, we remember Logan Boulet. Logan was a member of the Humboldt Broncos who died in the team bus crash in 2018. Logan was an organ donor and because of him, 6 others are alive today. The logo honors the foundation that was started by Logan's parents Toby and Bernie.

Logan's Story

Dawg Bowl

Treasured Moments

For the first time ever, Milan Hejduk played with twin sons David (left) and Marek (right) on the Top Dawgs in the Platinum division. Mike Maciolek of team sponsor Mainline West holds a unique sweater.

Humboldt Broncos survivor Brayden Camrud made his first trip to Colorado and played on the Top Dawgs. He shared his powerful story of survival, and we auctioned off his Humboldt jersey.

Champions

Copper C

Hot Broads & Dad Bods

Copper B

Minnesota Old Guys

Copper A

Rink Rats

Bronze B

Scallywags

Bronze A

Cobra Kai

Silver

Los Muertos

Women's

Mallard's Green

Platinum

Denver Concrete

A special thanks to every one of our volunteers, to Megan Doser of Dr. Fix It as the title sponsor for the Survivor Game, to all our event sponsors and to our teams for making this year’s Dawg Bowl one that will never be forgotten.

On the Move

The annual Donor Dash in mid-July is a special 5k. Held at Wash Park in Denver, it is the yearly fundraiser for Donor Alliance. This year four heart transplant recipients walked for Dawg Nation. All finished with their families cheering them every step of the way.

The Big Four (left to right) are Sebastian Hitzig, Nigel Richadson, Kaleb Kurtz and Patrick Donnelly.

Sled Showdown

In July, The Sled Showdown packed them in at the Edge Ice Arena. Many of the world’s best Paralympic athletes played. The legendary Declan Farmer took to the ice along with members of the gold medal winning USA Paralympic team.

“The personal stories of resilience are inspiring," said Martin Richardson. “They leave you with an even greater appreciation for those that truly overcome all odds.”

The Dawgs presented a check for $2,500 to Colorado Sled Hockey. The Game was streamed live by Shaw Hockey Productions. Thanks to all for supporting The Sled Showdown. It proved once again that hockey truly is for everyone!!!

A Helping Paw

We have topped the $4 million mark in aid to hockey families!

In July, the Dawgs were in Steamboat Springs for a one-day hockey tournament to help our friend Drew Moon. The Dawgs including Patrick Donnelly (below left), partnered with Vladan Chase (below right) creator of the Never Far From Home podcast. Nearly 100 players laced ‘em up.

Drew is well known in the Yampa Valley as a hockey coach and community leader. He recently survived a car crash and the tournament raised $15,000 to help with medical bills and rehabilitation. An assist to Old Town Pub for prize donations and feeding hungry hockey players and volunteers!

At Dawg Bowl, Cap and Dawg Nation Board Chair Greg Clinard surprised Robynne Hill with a check for $2,000. Robynne is a member of the USA World Championship team. Her sled was recently damaged, and she couldn’t afford repairs. She risked missing the next World Championship coming in August. The check will pay for the repairs on the sled.

Kyle Lindholm (center, with DN board member Jeremy Rowell and the Dawg Father) grew up in Colorado playing hockey and most recently was playing for Florida Gulf Coast University.

Earlier this year, Kyle had two seizures. Doctors found a brain tumor and removed it. The good news? It was not cancerous.

In July, the Dawgs gave Kyle a check for $10,000 to offset major medical costs. It’s a lot to overcome, but Kyle hopes to return to the FGCU team.

Pay It Forward

In July, the Dawgs were invited to the annual golf tournament staged by Arapahoe Hockey. Among those teeing it up was NHL Hall of Famer and Dawg Nation Ambassador Milan Hejduk (with Dawg Nation recipient Van Stone). At the raffle, Milan’s autographed Czech sweater raised $1,500.

Milan and the Dawgs happily donated the proceeds back to the Warrior organization! A tap of the stick to Arapahoe Hockey Director Kelly Hollingshead (right), a terrific player for DU in his day, for the invite!

There’s no bigger drag racing weekend on the NHRA schedule than the Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in July.

Top Fuel racer Mike Salinas (right) loves the Dawgs and our mission and wanted the world to see.

So…he put the Dawg Nation logo on his dragster for the weekend of racing. Mike won his first race at Sunday’s showdown before bowing out in the quarterfinals. At 320mph, the Dawgs were with him all the way down the quarter mile.

Thanks to Greg Hunter, a Dawg Nation hockey player and racer in his own right, for connecting us with Mike and his team.

Willie and Cap

In June, Martin Richardson was a finalist for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. The winner is honored every year at the NHL Awards Ceremony. In Nashville this year, Martin had the opportunity to visit with O’Ree who broke the color line in the NHL and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. “I was honored to be one of the finalists,” said Cap. “I told Willie O’Ree, ‘We've got big dreams, and we're going to keep working towards them including our ultimate goal of building a hockey rink for everyone.’”