Greetings!

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy this newsletter as the Dawgs hit the links, meet amazing recipients and honor special friends.
The Big Beer Battle!
It may have been in November, but we called it Hocktoberfest. And it was a beer battle royal. A year ago, NHL greats and DN Honorary Board Members Milan Hejduk (second from left) and Jan Hejda (right) created an incredibly popular beer they called Double Czech. Not to be outdone, Dawg Nation Founder and CEO Martin Richardson and brother Nigel (left) came up with a German brew they considered a worthy challenger.  
The Blue Spruce Brewing Company in Littleton, Colorado, was packed to the rafters for a taste-off to decide which was best. Wouldn’t you know it...the beer sales ended in a dead heat! The tie breaker? A cornhole match won by Jan and Milan.
The Dawgs also did what we do best…giving back. Kevin Larson was hit by a slapshot during Dawg Bowl this summer and suffered a broken kneecap. He's now on the mend but the bills piled up while he couldn't work.

Left to Right: DN Board Chair Greg Clinard, Nigel, Milan, Garrett Ladd, Cap, Kevin, Jan and Rick Yale presented the check.
Mike Sullivan has been a part of Dawg Nation from the beginning. He survived COVID and is now back on his feet after having both knees replaced. The Dawgs gave Mike and his family a check for $20,000.

Left to right: DN's Mike Pijanowski, Nigel, Jan, Milan, the Dawgfather and DN Board Member Dave Chamberlin are with Sully (in red).

Thank you to all who made this a special night and a big success.
Tee To Green With The Dawgs
In September, The 12th Annual Tee It Up For Dawg Nation tournament was once again a huge success. We raised over $125,000! A full field enjoyed perfect conditions at the challenging University of Denver Golf Club.


The money raised at events like this aid those in our community. At the tournament we helped two deserving families. Hilary Tayloe is a single mom with sons Joe (24) Sam (16) and John (9). This supermom is currently battling breast cancer and faces a 5th surgery in 9 months in December. The Dawgs, with an assist from Colorado Avs coach Jared Bednar, helped the Tayloe family with a check for $20,000. 
Lily Palan is a brave six year old awaiting a heart transplant. Lily has spent time in the hospital recently, but in November she and her family were guests of the Dawgs and the Avs at a game in Denver. Medical expenses have mounted quickly. In September, the Dawgs were able to help with a check for $20,000. In October, we were able to add another $5,000.
Thanks to The Ahbe Group (TAG) for continuing as our title sponsor, and to all of our sponsors and volunteers.
Paying It Forward
Jared Bednar consistently puts Dawg Nation high on his list, and he's done it again! The Avalanche coach will make a donation each time his squad collects a win during the 2022-23 season.
 
Jim Montgomery has supported DAWG Nation since his days behind the bench with the Denver University Pioneers. Now the head coach of the Boston Bruins, Monty will celebrate each win this season with a contribution to the Dawgs. 
 



Matt Duchene has been supporting Dawg Nation for years and has now taken his support to another level. Matt will donate $100 every time he lights the lamp this season!
We can use this. In September, Krista (left) and Shane Fisher handed us the keys to a 15 seat Ford Transit van! Adding to that, Dan Eli (center) from the Wrap Factory and Justin Chalfant (Patch My PC) combined to donate an incredible wrap. We unveiled the new Dawg-mobile at the golf tournament and can’t wait to show this off all over Colorado and beyond!
 
In August, Jim Tiernan and the rest of the “Army of Darkness” hosted their 6th annual team golf outing and donated $1,500 to our cause!
Hats off to JT and his band of brothers. This is one beer league team showing us all how you can make a difference.
Your Special Day


Now it’s your turn. Show your support for Dawg Nation and help us help our community. Last year you donated over $65,000 to Dawg Nation! That is an all-time record. This year, let’s top it. Thank you for your generosity. It allows Dawg Nation to continue to aid those that need our help.
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 $3,800,000 in recipient aid. Thank you to all that donate, sponsor and bid for your continued support. We can’t do this without YOU!
In November, the Dawgs were in Loveland to support Les Borsheim, a former enforcer with the Colorado Eagles. Les depends on the golf tournament he hosts every year to pay for the care he needs daily. He was unable to hold the tournament this year and that's when the Dawgs stepped in.

With Eagles owner Martin Lind matching all donations, (left to right)  Jan Hejda, former Denver University star Kyle Ostrow, DN supporter Dan Rutter, Eagles standout Kevin Ulanski, Cap and DN Ambassador Carl Poole, we presented a check for over $52,000 to Les.

Les wrote, "The huge extended family that hockey is! I'm so lucky to have your organization's hard work and support! For the love of the game, I am so humbled by support and blessings I receive."

Mom Margie added, "What a wonderful group you are, and what a wonderful difference you are truly making in so many lives.The Borsheim Team is so "Blessed" to have you in our lives... Thank you, Thank You, and Thank You again."


Logan Lussier plays hockey at Castle View High School and recently suffered serious fractures of both bones in his forearm. The medical bills piled up in a hurry. In October at the Berg House in Castle Pines, the Dawgs surprised the Lussier family with a check for $10,500. 
Hanna Gootee is 25. She’s battling thyroid cancer, two autoimmune diseases and a torn rotator cuff. You’d never know it from her smile and attitude. Recently, the Dawgs with DN supporter and former Avalanche star John-Michael Liles headed to Eagle County and joined Hanna and others in a game celebrating life. 
Joining Hanna as the Dawgs presented her with a check for $12,000 were (left to right) Nigel Richardson, Cappy, former recipient and current DN Operations Manager Patrick Donnelly and DN Board Member Dave Chamberlin.
John Lumley is a local referee. Earlier this year he escaped through a second story window when his apartment building caught on fire. His beloved cat was saved by a brave firefighter. In October, with massive help from friends, including fellow ref Brian Wille (right), the Dawgs presented John (center) with a check for $11,400. 
Danny (3rd from left) and Ashley Kirkovich (to his left) were at a wedding in Chicago when they received a phone call from a neighbor saying their Fort Collins home was on fire. Thanks to first responders, the Kirkovichs' dog and cat were saved. Among other things, Danny’s goalie equipment was destroyed. In October, the Dawgs joined with his teammates to provide funds for new gear.
In August, our St. Louis chapter hosted their first ever cornhole tournament. A big part of the sold-out event was celebrating the recovery of Mason Venegoni. This 10 year old goalie recently had surgery to remove a brain tumor. The Dawgs presented Mason and his family (his dad is in the military and is currently serving overseas) with a check for $10,000 to help with large medical expenses. Joining Marty were (left to right) Matt Heath, Reed Low, Mason, mom Vickey and brother Landen.

"Thanks to our St. Louis team led by Jared Schmierbach (in blue), Matt Heath, Jon Orelt (with Jared) and Reed Low,” said the Dawg Father. “I couldn’t be more proud of their passion, drive and compassion to lift up others.”
 
And a huge thank you to Jeff and Connie Beatty for opening up and donating the use of their unbelievable property for this special day.
Remembering Maxy and J-Wal


Peter McNab passed away on November 4 at age 70 He was a star at Denver University and then in the NHL. He was the analyst for the Colorado Avalanche since they arrived in Denver in 1995. 


“Peter McNab ALWAYS made time for others and truly was one of the very best people I’ve ever met," said Martin Richardson. “Maxy was also incredibly instrumental in the growth of Dawg Nation, lending credibility to a startup nonprofit and providing celebrity status to our cause. We will be forever grateful to this magnificent man.”
"My memories with Peter are vast, for that I am eternally grateful,” added Cap. “I’m also incredibly thankful that the family reached out to me and blessed me with one last visit with my buddy. Peter was weak and his words soft, but his kind eyes were unchanged and his quick smile was still there. Although it was difficult, we even shared a laugh or two. That is how I will always remember this beautiful soul…how lucky we were to have had Peter in our lives. God Bless you Maxy, till we meet again.”


Justin Waldon fought a valiant battle against cancer not once but twice. He beat cancer when he was four. He played hockey since he was a kid and coached since he was 19. In September, J-Wall succumbed to leukemia.



Martin Richardson remembered, “His impact was felt on and off the ice as he helped shape boys and girls into great hockey players, terrific teammates, respectful adults, and most importantly, good people. The world has truly lost a good one, one that cannot be replaced.” 
Reaching For the Top
The U.S. National Blind team came up short at the International Blind Hockey Series, losing 3 games to team Canada.
 
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 when a pass is completed in the offensive zone. Goalies are totally blind. For the first time ever, blind hockey was a part of DAWG Bowl earlier this year. 
If you’ve been at a Dawg Nation event in the last year you have likely run into (left to right) Drew Garza, Adam Young and Josh Schneider. All three are visually impaired and all three played on the US National Blind team!

Dan Schramm and Daniel C. Belding are also part of Dawg Nation and were on the Blind team.
Hooked on Fun
In September, we had an amazing weekend at the Park Range Ranch on our annual fly fishing trip. Each year we host remarkable athletes in an incredible setting, showing everyone that barriers are made to be broken! This year included two-time X-Games medalist Declan Farmer, three-time Paralympic gold medalist Brandon Adam, a veteran that continues to push the envelope and a host of good hearted people willing to lend a helping hand. 
"The fishing was epic, but the experience allowed us all the opportunity to share personal stories, talk about daily challenges, and help us all realize that in the end every one of us is part of one big family of Dawgs!" enthused Cap.
 
"A huge thank you to everyone that made this priceless weekend happen at no cost to our foundation. This is yet another unbelievable display of generosity that allows us to continue to stretch every penny donated to maximize our positive impact on the community."
 
A Whole New Look


It’s been months in the making and tons and tons of hours, but our brand new website is finally ready for prime time! Thanks to some great work by George Avery’s crew at NativeRank and lots of effort from Kaylin Klaren, Brandon Lied and Patrick Donnelly we have a website that showcases the past, present and future of Dawg Nation. -
Martin Richardson
 
Cap on the Air

Martin Richardson is now part of Denver University’s Coach’s Show with David Carle (left). Cappy’s Corner features the Dawg Father who shares inspiring and behind the scenes stories from the hockey world.


In November. Martin told the story of Rob Hamblin, a person he did not know well. Rob died in September at age 46. He had asked that in lieu of flowers, people make a contribution to Dawg Nation.
The show takes place at the Campus Lounge. It’s your chance to meet the coach and talk hockey. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Over and Out
Hiller
Schroeder
O'Connor
Season two of the wildly popular Dawg Nation podcasts is a wrap. Enjoy all 7 episodes with Martin Richardson and Mike Freeman.

Jake Schroeder, David Carle, John-Michael Liles, Samantha Hiller, Dave Jackson, Logan O’Connor and Peter Wallen have terrific stories to tell.
Coming Up
February 16-18, 2023
DAWG Nation Presents Pondy on Prior.
 
This is our newest event as our pond hockey tournament moves to Prior Lake, Minnesota, 20 miles south of Minneapolis.
 
Long time Dawg Nation Ambassaor Jan Hejda now calls Minnesota home. Jan played 10 years in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Bluejackets, and the Colorado Avalanche. More importantly Jan has been one of DAWG Nation's most enthusiastic supporters since 2018.
At the tournament, we'll be supporting Ethan Glynn. Ethan is 14 and currently at Craig Hospital in Colorado as he recovers from a spinal cord injury and begins his new life. Our goal is a big one as we look to lift up a very deserving Ethan and his family as they navigate uncharted waters.
Register for action on four tournament-style rinks. We’ll also host a blind and a sled hockey showcase.

Like all of our events, net proceeds from Pondy on Prior go directly back to the community.
Last Shot!
Ryan Anderson is a Marine Corp Vet and a Dawg Nation goalie. Recently he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It’s the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341 feet. Ryan celebrated the moment at the top of the world by donning his Dawgs sweater!
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, Meryl Kingery, Bill Miller and Rob Packard for their assistance.

 
Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation
720.432.9471
10658 W Centennial Rd. Ste 200
Littleton, CO 80127