Hockey Fights Cancer

Last updated
Hockey Fights Cancer
Formation1998;25 years ago (1998)
Type Nonprofit organization
Focus Cancer research
Owner National Hockey League
Key people
Timm Harmon (founder)
Website Hockey Fights Cancer

Hockey Fights Cancer is a charitable initiative of the US and Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) dedicated to raising money and awareness toward cancer research. It was founded in 1998 as an outgrowth of a similar program instituted by the Tampa Bay Lightning after former player John Cullen made a brief NHL comeback after suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The program had raised over US$14 million according to its Web site in 2015. [1]

Contents

Founding

Tampa Bay Lightning forward John Cullen was leading his team in scoring late in the 1996–97 NHL season when he was forced out of the lineup after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He missed the remainder of that season and all of the following season as he suffered from the disease. [2] Cullen attempted a comeback in 1998–99, but chose to retire after four NHL and three minor league games. [3] In recognition of his comeback attempt, the NHL named him the 1999 winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for dedication and perseverance. [4]

Cullen's cancer inspired Timm Harmon of the Moffitt Cancer Centre at the University of South Florida to partner with the Lightning to raise awareness and money for cancer research. By December 1998, both the NHL and its union had joined themselves to the cause, creating the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. [5] Hockey Fights Cancer is also supported by the National Hockey League Officials Association, the league's professional trainers' association and media and business partners. [6]

Initiatives

Hockey Fights Cancer night in Milwaukee, 2022 Toronto Marlies vs. Milwaukee Admirals December 2022 13 (Hockey Fights Cancer).jpg
Hockey Fights Cancer night in Milwaukee, 2022

Coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hockey Fights Cancer month is held in October/November. [7] During the month, players, teams, fans and corporate partners combine to raise money via a variety of means, including auctions of team branded and player autographed merchandise and equipment. [8] Game-worn jerseys are popular at the auctions; Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby's All-Star Game jersey sold for $47,520 in 2007, while that year's jersey auctions raised over $140,000 in total. [9]

A Hockey Fights Cancer night in Pittsburgh on November 5, 2018 was especially memorable; cancer survivor Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils, who had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in September 2017, scored his first NHL hat trick as the Devils defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. [10]

During the month, some players wear equipment specially painted purple to raise awareness for the initiative. [11] In addition, each of the league's 32 teams designates at least one of their home games as "Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night/Day" to raise money. [12] [13] During these host games, the teams donate proceeds from 50/50 raffles, offer numerous promotions and donate tickets to hospitals and causes that support the fight against cancer. [14] $1.1 million was raised in October 2010, bringing the charity's 13-year total to over $12 million. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Lemieux</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1965)

Mario Lemieux is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2005, and he assumed ownership of the franchise in 1999. Nicknamed "The Magnificent One", "Le Magnifique", and "Super Mario" he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Lemieux’s combination of size, strength, athleticism, and creativity made him one of the greatest players of all time. A gifted playmaker and fast skater despite his large size, Lemieux often beat defencemen with fakes and dekes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy</span> NHL ice hockey award

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one player in competition. It is often awarded to a player who has come back from career– or even life-threatening illness or injury.

Daniel Joseph Snyder was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played as a centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Atlanta Thrashers. Following a single-vehicle accident in which he was a passenger, Snyder was injured and fell into a coma as a result. He died six days later of septic shock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Arnott</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Jason William Arnott is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Tanguay</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Alex Joseph Jean Tanguay is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes in the National Hockey League (NHL) and briefly for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League A in 2004. An offensive player, he is best known for his passing and playmaking ability. Tanguay currently serves as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Sullivan</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Steve Sullivan is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played over 1000 games in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes. He was also a former coach and executive with the Coyotes.

The 2005–06 NHL season was the 89th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season succeeded the 2004–05 season which had all of its scheduled games canceled due to a labor dispute with the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the League and its players. The season featured the first time that all 30 of its member teams played games on the same day, which happened the first day of the season, October 5, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic Moore</span> Former Canadian professional ice hockey centre (born 1980)

Benjamin Dominic Moore is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He last played for the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL), and played nearly 900 National Hockey League (NHL) games. Initially drafted in the third round, 95th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Moore also played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins. He is currently an analyst for the NHL on ESPN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Clemmensen</span> American ice hockey player

Scott Lee Clemmensen is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender, who played with the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cam Ward</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)

Cameron Kenneth Ward is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played the majority of his 15-year professional career for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Chicago Blackhawks during his final season before signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a Hurricane in 2019.

Barry John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer. After the Buffalo Sabres selected him in the 1986 NHL Supplemental Draft but chose not to offer him a contract, Cullen signed with the Flint Spirits of the International Hockey League (IHL) for the 1987–88 season where he was named the IHL's co-Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player after leading the league in scoring.

Jeffrey Christian is a Canadian-American former ice hockey forward who was drafted 23rd overall by the New Jersey Devils. He played 18 games in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Phoenix Coyotes and played professionally in North American and Europe for over two decades. After his playing career was completed, Christian joined the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets as a head coach for parts of three seasons. Christian was hired by the Wheeling Nailers midway into the 2015-16 as an assistant coach and was later named Head Coach, holding the position from July 2016 to the completion of the 2017–18 season.

Benjamin John Hankinson is an American former professional ice hockey right winger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Boyle</span> American ice hockey center

Brian Paul Boyle is an American former professional ice hockey center who works as an analyst for NHL Network. Boyle has previously played for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He attended St. Sebastian's School in Needham, Massachusetts, before moving on to Boston College. Boyle grew up in Hingham, just south of Boston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the National Hockey League (1992–present)</span>

The National Hockey League (NHL) has endured a tumultuous period of history in recent years. It has grown from 22 teams in 1992 to 32 today, as the league expanded across the United States. Repeated labour conflicts interrupted play in 1992, 1994–95, 2004–05 and 2012–13; the second lockout caused the entire 2004–05 NHL season to be canceled, the first time in North American history that a sports league has canceled an entire season in a labour dispute. Nine franchises were added between 1991 and 2000, comprising the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild. The Vegas Golden Knights were added in 2017, and the Seattle Kraken in 2021. In addition to expansion teams, five franchises have relocated during this time: the Minnesota North Stars became the Dallas Stars (1993), the Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche (1995), the Winnipeg Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes (1996), the Hartford Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes (1997), and the Atlanta Thrashers became the second franchise known as the Winnipeg Jets (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierre-Luc Létourneau-Leblond</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Pierre-Luc Létourneau-Leblond is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins. He played a physical game and is known as an agitator and a fighter. He was an extremely tough player, who very rarely fell when fighting. He is known as having some of the longest fights.

The 2012–13 NHL season was the 96th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began on January 19, 2013, and ended on April 28, 2013, with the playoffs to follow until June.

The 2013–14 NHL season was the 97th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season features a realignment of the league's 30 teams from a six to a four division format. The regular season began October 1, and concluded April 13. The Stanley Cup playoffs began April 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation</span> Organization

The Pittsburgh Penguin's Foundation is a non-profit organization formed on July 20, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its sponsor was the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Pittsburgh Penguins ownership group. The foundation offers preventive wellness, developmental, and charity programs. It also promotes life skill teaching and activity among youth and families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Wedgewood</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Scott Wedgewood is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Wedgewood was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. ↑ NHL Web site, Hockey Fights Cancer, retrieved 14 September 2015
  2. ↑ Kennedy, Kostya (1998-09-21). "Happy Days". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  3. ↑ El-Bashir, Tarik (1998-12-16). "Healthy again, Cullen enjoys on-ice retirement". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  4. ↑ "Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winners". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  5. ↑ Shea, Kevin (2004). "Stanley Cup journal". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
  6. ↑ "Hockey Fights Cancer". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  7. ↑ Walker, Ian (2010-10-18). "Cancer: Not your average boards brawl". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  8. 1 2 "NHL, NHLPA generate over $1.1 million for cancer". National Hockey League. 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  9. ↑ "Hockey Fights Cancer auctions player jerseys". ESPN. 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  10. ↑ Kaplan, Emily. "Devils' Brian Boyle posts hat trick on Hockey Fights Cancer night". ESPN.com. ESPN Enterprises Inc. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Leafs tough guy Orr wears pink skates in support of cancer". The Sports Network. 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  12. ↑ "Stars coach Tippett: Avery no distraction". New Jersey Star-Ledger. 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  13. ↑ "Hockey Fights Cancer Night serves as celebration, inspiration". BlueJackets.com. 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  14. ↑ "October is Hockey Fights Cancer month". National Hockey League. 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.