Our 3rd Quarter Newsletter is here.

Greetings!

A record setting DAWG Bowl, brave recipients, a day with the Stanley Cup and a fond farewell highlight a busy time for the Dawgs.

Dawg Bowl XII...Xtra Special!

DAWG Bowl is hockey, music, food, the one-of-a-kind silent auction and the people on and off the ice who join together to make it bigger and better each year. In June, the five day event raised $300,000. That shattered the previous record by $50,000!

“This year was even more special as we showed that hockey truly is for everyone by showcasing special hockey, sled hockey and even blind hockey!" said an excited Dawg Nation CEO Martin Richardson. "To witness so many people step up over and over is inspiring and powerful. We simply could not do this without the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers.”

We also presented a DAWG Bowl record of seven recipient checks for $139,000! With the 2022 Survivor Game theme centered around cancer, five of our recipients were cancer related this year.

Justin Waldron has played hockey since he was a kid and has coached since he was 19. Justin beat cancer when he was 4. Now he is battling a form of leukemia that affects his spleen.

At DAWG Bowl, we presented Justin with a check to help with burgeoning expenses.

Justin needs a stem cell transplant. You can help. You must be between the ages of 18-40. It’s just a swab in your mouth and it can help so many!

Becky Gartman, with teammate Brie Sherrin, has played and refereed hockey since 2014. Known by her nickname Hawk, Becky was diagnosed at the end of 2021 with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. How much does she love hockey? Becky played several games on the off weeks of her chemo. She is now finished with those treatments and is in remission! The Dawgs presented Hawk with a check for $5,000 at DAWG Bowl.

Julie Schulze heads up a hockey family. Husband John plays in adult hockey leagues. Julie’s son Hayden, has played for four years at Liberty High School. Daughter Isabel also attends Liberty. Julie has gallbladder cancer. The cost for her experimental treatments has been covered by the drug maker. Julie still has to pay the hospital facility fee of approximately $3,000 every three weeks for the administration of the drugs. At DAWG Bowl, the Dawgs were happy to present this wonderful family with a check to help.

David Fancher has played hockey since he was 5. David is a firefighter. While on the scene in Adams County, a stolen vehicle crashed into his firetruck. David suffered major head trauma. The good news is that David has recovered and is back on duty! The Dawgs gave David a check for $7,000 to help cover extensive hospital bills.

Doctors thought Rob Fairfield had lung cancer. Turned out an extremely rare infection created the mass on his lung and antibiotics caused it to soon disappear!

This hockey player can’t wait to be back on the ice, but two spinal fusions and an emergency appendectomy have delayed the return. The Dawgs presented Rob with a check for $7,000 to defray the costs of his surgeries.

Arsen Moskelenko is a teenager from Ukraine. His family has left, but his father remains in Ukraine fighting for his country. Arsen is in the United States pursuing his hockey dreams. The Dawgs surprised Arsen with a check for $10,000 to help his family as they adjust to life in the U.S.

Mike Shain and Lucas Bisbee, are enthusiastic members of our hockey community and both are part of New York Life. This year Mike and Lucas stepped up as sponsors and volunteers. They were moved throughout the weekend by what we do. They provided a donation for $3,800 on the final day of the tourney!

The Survivor Game is always a highlight if not THE highlight of DAWG Bowl. And it is so much more than a game. A packed Edge Ice Arena crowd took it all in.

Dawg Nation’s ace photographer Kelli Packard said it best. “It’s about friendships forged by a common experience, about beating the odds and coming out on top. It’s about undaunted courage and donning skates and picking up a stick to hit the ice once again. This is the game that’s all about hope and perseverance and celebrating each and every goal made, on and off the ice.”

Thanks to Mat Snesrud and K1 Sportswear for this year’s design which includes small ribbons on the sleeves representing all forms of cancer.

The pink ribbon sweaters were worn with pride by Duane Helderlein, Dan Bitondo and Dori Webb (left). Mary Strine and Christina Montoya (right) are both former recipients.

Dawg Nation was proud to partner with Megan Doser and Dr. Fix-It, who sponsored this year’s Survivor Game.

For the first time ever, blind hockey was a part of DAWG Bowl. The exhibition included blind players from across the country taking on a group of Dawg Nation players wearing glasses to replicate various forms of blindness.

Incredibly this game is believed to be the first ever blind hockey game played west of the Mississippi!

In Blind Hockey an oversized metal puck is used. It’s filled with ball bearings and makes noise allowing skaters to track it. Those who are totally blind also rely on communication from visually impaired players on the ice and on the bench. A whistle lets players know a shot is coming. Goalies are totally blind.

Blind skaters Adam Young (right) from Seattle, Drew Garza (Chicago) and Josh Schneider (New Jersey) participated. Drew (left) was featured in our 3rd Quarter 2021 newsletter when the Dawgs visited Chicago for the Windy City Blind Hockey Showdown. Thanks to all three for their work to make this event a success.

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Platinum - Denver Concrete

Women's - Hot Flashes

Silver - St. Nick's

Bronze A - Cobra Kai

Bronze B - DREP

Copper A - Rink Rats

Copper B - St. Louis Dawgs

Copper C - Tyranno-coreus Wrecks

Shaw Hockey Productions provided us with awesome live streaming of the games. Thanks to the one and only Manny Furtado who joined Cap to call the games.

Remembering Tammy Meier

In July, we lost a tremendous friend and supporter. Tammy Meier died shortly after DAWG Bowl ended after a long fight with ovarian cancer.

“Right to the very end this supermom (with husband Mark and sons Dylan and Matt) continued to set a wonderful example to everyone of never giving up,” remembered Martin Richardson.

At Dawg Bowl, Marty and Mike presented the Meier's family friend Alex Rajaniemi and Survivor Game sponsor Megan Doser a check on behalf of Tammy. “Tammy, you will be greatly missed, but never forgotten," said Richardson

Good Luck Mike!

“It’s a bittersweet time as we bid Mike “Smalls" Freeman the very best in his next endeavor. We have all watched as Mike has changed lives and positively impacted our community time and time again. It was a very difficult decision for our Smalls, but a necessary one as Mike is headed back to his roots in public education where he can continue to change lives. Thank you Mike. You will be dearly missed." – Martin Richardson

Mike got the nickname Smalls from the movie The Sandlot. “What an honor and privilege it has been to be the Executive Director of Dawg Nation for the last three years and a board member for the three years prior,” said an emotional Freeman. ”With over $3.3 million to recipients and Dawg Nation expanding into new cities like St. Louis, Dawg Nation is truly on a roll. Being able to work alongside Marty Richardson, our board chair Greg Clinard, Kaylin Klaren and our Board of Directors has truly been an honor.”

“I am stepping away from my role with Dawg Nation to return to my other passion…public education. I have accepted a role as a community superintendent of schools in Jefferson County Public Schools,” Mike added. “I will miss my daily interactions with our supporters, volunteers, donors, and of course our recipients. Some of my most cherished moments involve Marty and me being in the homes of our recipients and finding a way to walk alongside folks in their journey. As my journey takes a turn, I look forward to maintaining the incredible relationships I have gained through Dawg Nation.

I hope to see you all at events as Dawg Nation continues to bring hope, love and community!”

Game On!

In July, the Dawgs and our Top Dawgs hockey team were in Steamboat for a charity game against the always tough Steamboat Springs Mountain Screamers. The Dawgs prevailed 8-6 and it was only one of many exciting moments as we raised money to help two special families.

Sled hockey legend and three-time paralympic gold medal winner Declan Farmer met four-year old Wilder Hagen. Wilder has cerebral palsy. Declan and Walker shared some very special moments on the ice.

"This was an incredible weekend that in all honesty was life changing for Wilder," said his mom Vicki. "Not only did he get to see someone like him on a sled, but Declan shared his love of hockey with him and now he sees himself as a hockey player. This event opened a new door for Wilder and for our family."

The Hagen family accepted a check for $20,000 to offset some of the costs related to Wilder’s life with cerebral palsy.

Declan showed why he is one of the greatest sled hockey players ever. He went one on one against two-time Stanley Cup winning goalie Curtis McElhinney, taking five breakaways and scoring two!

Watch the Shootout HERE!

The Dawgs presented Mary Yamamoto a check for $10,000.

Thanks to Shaw Hockey Productions for streaming the game and Vladan Chase in organizing a weekend of friendship, family, and giving back!

North to Humboldt

In early August, Martin Richardson was honored to be a part of a special weekend in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. On April 6, 2018, that community suffered unbearable tragedy when the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus was struck by a truck. 13 survived. 16 did not.

Since then, the Dawgs have helped those players and families in many ways. The Dawgs and several of his Broncos' teammates presented Jacob Wassermann with a check for $20,000. Jacob, a goalie, was paralyzed in the bus crash. He now lives in Saskatoon and is attending the University of Saskatchewan.

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar grew up in Humboldt. He played on the Broncos team in '89-'90 and was a star in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He was elected to the SJHL Hall of Fame and Martin was there for his friend at the induction ceremony.

Since the bus accident, Bednar has hosted an annual golf tournament. Once again, the tournament was a huge success with $29,000 going to the Humboldt Memorial Fund. The $29,000 represents $1,000 for each of the players and staff on the bus. Martin’s foursome included Curt Leicht (2nd from left). His son, Jacob, died in the accident.

Morgan Gobeil signed Cap’s Humboldt sweater. Morgan suffered a brain injury in the crash and continues to recover. . “I was emotional, and proud, “said Martin, as Morgan struggled to add his name. Morgan is the 11^th of the 13 survivors to sign. “This young man’s drive and determination was on full display as his hand shook, but #24 was not going to be denied the opportunity to once again join his Bronco brothers.”

Each member of the Stanley Cup winning team gets a day with the Cup. Jared Bednar took it to Humboldt. The highlight of the weekend? Martin and Jared posed with the Cup surrounded by seven of the of those incredible young men from the Broncos hockey team.

Back row (left to right) - Tyler Smith, Xavier LaBelle, Bryce Fiske, Derek Patter and

Nick Shumlanski.

Front row - Morgan Gobeil, Cap, Graysen Cameron, Bednar, Jacob Wassermann.

“I cannot thank the Humboldt families enough for accepting me into their lives," said a choked up Martin. “I am immensely proud, honored and humbled every time I am welcomed into the hearts and homes of these amazing families. It’s truly a great day to be a Bronco.”

A Helping Paw - In Colorado and St. Louis

Getting people through tough times is what Dawg Nation is all about. In 12 years we’ve helped hundreds of families with over $3,300,000 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, it was a daily double as we joined forces with the WDHL (West Denver Hockey League) to surprise two long time members of the Clockwork Orange team. Dan Grady is recovering from successful hip surgery. Keith Young is on the road to recovery after neck surgery. We can’t wait to have both guys back on the ice.

In July, our St. Louis chapter came to the aid of Brandi Womack. Brandi has brain cancer and faces mounting medical bills. Joining forces with the Twin Bridges youth organization, the Dawgs presented Brandi with a check for $25,000. Brandi and her family are joined by Jon Orelt (2nd from left) and Matt Health (far right).

Listen Up - Podcasts Return

Season two is co-hosted by Marty and Mike. The DawgPods have been a hit with hockey fans everywhere.

Our latest DawgPod features Jake Schroeder. He’s performed the National Anthem at over 1000 Avalanche games. He's also sung the Anthem at many Dawg Nation events including last year's Dawg Nation golf tournament. Jake shares hockey memories and his time as the front man for the iconic Denver band Opie Gone Bad.

HEAR the Podcasts HERE

Top Dawg Indeed

Congrats to Top Dawgs Aiden Thompson for being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 3^rd round (90^th overall) of the 2022 NHL draft.

“I could tell right away that Aiden was special”, said Dawg teammate and former NHL star Jan Hejda.

This coming season Thompson will be a member of the defending national champion DU Pioneers. Good luck Aiden!

Coming Up

On September 12, the annual Tee It Up For Dawg Nation Golf Invitational returns to breath taking Highlands Ranch Golf Course.

It takes many to stage a golf event of this magnitude. If you can volunteer, contact Kaylin Klaren kklaren@dawgnation.org or the Dawg Father mrichardson@dawgnation.org