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Happy Thanksgiving!

The Dawgs check in on two kids who have made amazing recoveries, travel the country to help others and get ready for some big laughs.

Then and Now

Porter Johnson is a fighter. In July of 2017, Jen Johnson, a hockey player, and her partner Sarah Porter learned their two-year-old son had leukemia. The prognosis wasn’t good. The Dawgs met Porter that year and presented Jen and Sarah with a check for over $12,000 to help with astronomical medical bills. The Dawgs nominated Porter to be part of the Colorado Avalanche annual brunch where he met star player Gabriel Landeskog.

The Dawgs also volunteered to put up Christmas lights at the Johnson house.

"This was all about brightening the family's day and giving them something to smile about," said Dawg Nation Ambassador Andy Gerrie (holding Porter) who organized the Christmas project. “We were all amazed at what a happy, outgoing little boy Porter is, even with all he's enduring." Sarah (left) and Jen are with Porter and older son Aiden. 

Porter recovered and today is a happy and healthy boy who loves hockey.  



Youth sports aren’t cheap and this summer the Dawgs surprised Jen, Sarah and Porter with a check to cover hockey fees. Centre Ice donated hockey skates. 

This fall Porter made it to his first hockey practice wearing a Dawg Nation Survivor jersey.





T.J. Kroha, with dad Nick, was born October 2, 2021 and needed open heart surgery a week later.

In September, a packed house at the Edge Ice Arena was on hand as we made a $30,050 presentation to parents Nick and Courtney Kroha. Nick and Courtney are life-long Coloradans. Nick attended Chatfield High School where he played hockey. Courtney was on the cheerleading team at Mountain Vista High School. Dawg Nation board member Dave Chamberlin (left) and Dawg Nation Board Chair Greg Clinard (right) represented the Dawgs. Avs coach Jared Bednar (back) and several players attended to show their support for the Kroha family.

Dawg Nation Founder and CEO Martin Richardson with T.J. in 2021 and now. Those first couple of months were rough. Today, T.J. is going strong. He’ll be skating in no time! 

No Blues Here



In 2020, Jon Orelt was paralyzed in a freak electrical accident. The ensuing years have seen an outpouring of support from the Dawgs and the creation of Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation – St. Louis branch.

In October Jon was in Denver and the Dawgs made sure it was a day to remember. With the St. Louis Blues also in Denver for a game with the Avalanche, Jon’s day included the morning skate (upper left) and talking hockey with Avs President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic (upper right behind Jon), getting tips from the greatest sled hockey player of all time Declan Farmer (bottom left) and watching the Blues play the Avs from a suite with NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet.


Top left (left to right): Jon is joined by Dawg Nation recipient Matt Bitter, Avalanche assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Toby Petersen, Dawg Nation recipient Dan Turner, Juls Crawford and Jesse Sanders.


Top right (left to right): Dan Turner and Matt Bitter flank Joe Sakic.

The Dawgs Skate for a Friend


Lawton Davis was a soccer player, a teacher, mountain biker and devoted family man. Earlier this year, Lawton lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at age 44, leaving wife Laura, son Colby and daughter Logan.

In October, the Dawgs hosted The Fraser Freeze Out, a 3 on 3 tournament at the Ice Box in Fraser, Colorado. The Davises call this area home. “Once again we bore witness to the magic of a community rallying behind a cause and opening their hearts and wallets to another beautiful family,” said the Dawg Father.

Thanks to generous sponsors, lots of volunteers, and local leaders, the Dawgs were blessed to hand the Davis family a check for $30,000”

Tee Time

In September, the 13th Annual Tee it Up for Dawg Nation Tournament at University of Denver Golf Club was a huge success. We raised a record $180,000 which goes to help many in our hockey community.

We were excited to have Penny Lee (left) and Laurie Warford join us from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, home of the Humboldt Broncos. Penny and Laurie manned hole #17. This was in honor of Humboldt player Evan Thomas who stayed with Laurie’s family and who died in the bus crash in 2018. Evan wore number 17. The Dawgs added $3,000 to the Humboldt Bronco Tribute Center and Memorial Fund.



The Dawgs had a surprise for Adam Young. He has flown from Washington to help with many of our events. We presented him with a check for $2,500. 


You might recognize that name. Adam (center) with Drew Garza (left) and Josh Schneider, plays on the U.S. National Blind Hockey team and has skated at several of our tourneys.

We couldn’t do this without all of you. For the first time, ALL of our sponsor opportunities were sold. A big thank you to TAG Insurance Services for being our lead tournament sponsor for the 13th straight year.  

Where There's Action...

You'll Find the Dawgs

On August 12, the Dawgs were busy at four events that spanned 1,500 miles.

The Humboldt Memorial Golf Tournament raises money for those who survived or lost family in the bus crash. Avs coach Jared Bednar, a Humboldt native, hosts the annual event. Jared is joined by former classmate Laurie Warford. Dawg Nation Ambassador Carl Poole (left) represented us in Saskatchewan.


The Army of Darkness including Beth Shroyer, Jim Tiernan, Andy Bickers and Raj Prasad held their annual golf tournament. The proceeds benefit Dawg Nation!

 

3rd Line Hockey hosted its tournament in Superior, Colorado. The four-team tournament raised $3,000. Left to right: Shelly and Andy Bishop joined Dawg Nation board member Zac Neumayr, Dawg Nation intern Jared Miller and Dawg Nation Recipient Coordinator Patrick Donnelly. The Dawgs were there to add another $7,500 for Aaron Hodge. Aaron works with disabled skaters and recently survived an accident that for a time left him in a coma. Aaron couldn’t attend the event and had no idea the community had banded together to support his recovery.

Cap was in Albuquerque for the first ever Moose Cup. We raised $68,000 for the family of Trevor Flint. Flint died recently leaving behind a wife and two sons. He played at and ran the rink where the Moose Cup was played in his honor.

Joining the Dawg Father are (left to right) Cheyna Vrabec, Will Flint, Deanna Flint, Davis Flint, Greg Bronson, Willi Loew, Tina Tomlin, Mike Westphal and Stan Hubbard.

A Helping Paw

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

20 year old Ethan Stadler died early this summer in a motorcycle accident. His father, Tommy, was devastated as any of us would be. But Tommy is not alone. In October, the hockey community wrapped its arms around one of its own. The Dawgs presented Tommy with a check for $11,000.

Thanks to many including Mike Pijanowski, Kevin Scroboni, Garrett Ladd, Jason Martinez and Jesse Badder for helping a friend in need.


“Thank you guys for everything," an emotional Tommy said. “I can’t be more thankful for the love and support from the hockey family.”


Wegener’s Granulomatosis is something most of us have never heard of. Jessica Dempster knows it’s a rare autoimmune disease that affects the lungs. She has it. And she’s fought COVID, a double whammy that kept her in the hospital for months. 

The good news? Jessica is now recovering, but medical bills have been overwhelming. In October, Dawg Nation teamed with Hockey Unlimited to surprise Jessica with a check for $6,000. Joining Jessica (left to right) are Dawg Nation board member Dave Chamberlin, Todd Dempster, Thomas Dempster, Steven Barnes, Shelley Andrade, Dawg Nation Recipient Coordinator Patrick Donnelly and Shirley Bennett.


A tearful Jessica said, “Now we know where our next rent payment will come from!”

Matt Bitter loves hockey and the defenceman enjoys every moment he’s on the ice. Recently Matt suffered a massive heart attack during a beer league game. Quick medical attention by many at the rink, including teammate Todd Harvey, saved his life. Matt is recovering and almost back to full strength. 

In October, with teammates, friends and fellow survivors on hand, the Dawgs presented Matt with a check for $12,000.

 

In September, the Dawgs rallied around one of their own. Jennifer Simpson is a valued volunteer, always ready for any assignment. Only a few weeks after major surgery, Jennifer was busy as usual at the Tee it Up for Dawg Nation Golf Tournament. Jennifer is with (left to right) Vickie Shaar, Dawg Nation Board Chair Greg Clinard and Cindy Richardson.

“What Jennifer didn’t know, was that this year’s event was dedicated to her,” said an excited Martin Richardson. “It was a total surprise as we presented a check for $25,000 to one of Dawg Nation’s true top dawgs! It seemed especially fitting that we could rally and support her, like she has done for Dawg Nation all these years."

It was frosting on the cake when Avs coach Jared Bednar stopped by.

Pay It Forward

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar and Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery (top l and r), University of Denver coach David Carle and Humboldt Broncos coach Scott Barney (bottom l and r) make a donation for every win to Dawg Nation.

Former Avs and current Dallas Stars forward Matt Duchene (left) and Phoenix Coyotes Winger Clayton Keller donate $100 for each goal they score.



All six also support and appear at numerous Dawg Nation events. Class acts all!

Your Turn



Colorado Gives Day is December 5th. It’s your opportunity to step up and score a big assist. Your donations allow us to help many in our hockey community. Last year your support was off the charts as you contributed a record $120,000! Let’s break the record again this year!

Donate NOW

On The Air

Marty (with host Tyler Maun) will again be part of the Denver University Coach’s show with David Carle. The show airs Wednesdays at 6pm on 104.3 The Fan. The Dawg Father will join Carle on four shows. You can get all the news on DU hockey and join the fun at the Campus Lounge in Denver as Cap shares stories from the hockey world.

Never Forget

By Martin Richardson

Sarah Karr is one of the kindest souls I ever met. She passed peacefully on October 6. Like many of you, I am heartbroken, but also so proud to be called Sarah’s friend. As I look back on the last 18 months, boy did we make some incredible memories! Many of you, including Joe Sakic, have had a front seat to our crazy adventures, but what I will personally miss most are our private conversations.

Sarah was my confidant, my listening ear, my shoulder to cry on, my advice when I needed it most. Behind that beautiful smile was a fierce little friend that always had my back. Even while she battled for her life she had time to lift me up when I needed it most. That’s a real friend. Bottomline, this little dynamo gave me every bit of what I gave her.

I love you Sarah. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Jeff Jewers sudden passing leaves a void in the Colorado hockey community. He was captain and leader for several local teams including the Outcasts. The Canadian native was a devoted husband and father. Jeff left indelible marks on the Denver hockey scene that won’t soon be forgotten. 

 



Dave Fromm touched the lives of hundreds of players as a coach, mentor and friend. This year Dave worked with Cap, Jan Hejda and Geno Parrish in organizing our Pondy on Prior event in Minnesota to benefit Ethan Glynn. 

“He was a tremendous family man who greeted everyone with a smile,” remembered the Dawg Father. “Rest in peace Frommer, you will be dearly missed."

Marty “Mustang” McKnight was a familiar face on the Colorado hockey scene for decades. A husband, father and veteran, Marty founded the Mustangs in 1992 and has worn the “C” ever since. #44 and his crew have been an integral part of Dawg Nation playing every Dawg Bowl since 2015 and always supporting our events and recipients, including fellow Mustangs Andrew Allen and Dave Carr.



The Mustangs captain passed doing what he loved most, playing hockey with his beloved teammates. 



Coming Up

Reserve the date. The 14th annual Stand up for Dawg Nation Comedy Night is March 20 at the Comedy Works in Greenwood Village.



Top notch comedians, special presentations and more make this a night not to be missed.

Ticket information is coming soon. Check the Dawg Nation website. 

Last Shot!

To Our Suporters, Donors, Partners, and Sponsors ...Thank You!


This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery. Many photos by Kelli Packard.

 

Thanks to Martin Richardson, Bill Miller, Patrick Donnelly, Meryl Kingery and Rob Packard for their assistance.



 

Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation

720.432.9471

10658 W Centennial Rd. Ste 200

Littleton, CO 80127

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