Dallas Stars Prepare To Host Emotional Hockey Fights Cancer Night
By Josh Clark
Hockey Fights Cancer night is coming back to Big D. This year, the Dallas Stars are preparing for a more emotional night than usual.
Bring out the lavender warmup jerseys and lay out the “I Fight For” cards, because it’s Hockey Fights Cancer night once again in Dallas.
This will be the 18th year that the NHL recognizes Hockey Fights Cancer, a joint charitable initiative dedicated to raising awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research. The NHL and NHLPA are partnered through the organization.
The Dallas Stars, along with all other NHL teams, take one night in October out of each season to recognize the fight against cancer and support all those who are currently wedged in the war.
This coming Saturday night will be the Stars’ Hockey Fights Cancer night as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets for their fifth game of the season. Of course, this comes with multiple different events and themes throughout the night:
-Dallas will wear lavender-colored Stars jerseys for warmups. After the warmup session, the Dallas Stars Foundation will auction the jerseys off to fans to help raise money for St. Judes, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Pinky Swear, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Coaches will also wear Hockey Fights Cancer ties during the game.
The jerseys will also be available for bidding online at auctions.nhl.com during the game.
-On each seat in the stands will be an “I’m Fighting For” card with an accompanying blank. Stars fans are encouraged to fill in the blank with the name of someone that they stand with in the cancer fight. There will be an in-game tribute where the cards will be used as well.
-The wives of various Dallas Stars players will be on the AT&T Plaza before the game giving out autographed player cards for a donation of at least $5 in return.
-Over the past few years, the Dallas Stars have honored a different member of their staff or media crew who is either battling or already won the battle against cancer. They have recognized names such as ice-level reporter Julie Dobbs, Don Widdicombe (the security guard who guards the Stars’ locker room), and even Bekki Nill (wife of Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill).
This year, the Stars will honor their play-by-play announcer Dave Strader. After spending the 2015-16 year on the call for the Stars, Strader was diagnosed in the offseason with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
His son Trevor will sing the national anthem for the second straight year and participate in the ceremonial puck drop. The team will also unveil a sticker that they will wear on the back of their helmets for the rest of the season recognizing Strader and showing support for him in his fight.
Also, any fans wishing to send Strader a word of encouragement or a note of well wishes can visit the Dallas Stars Foundation table outside of Section 113. You can also send an email to WellWishesForStrader@dallasstars.com.
Next: An Open Letter To Dave Strader
Dave continues to go through treatments and awaits his opportunity to come back and continue calling games for the Stars.
It’s looking like it is going to be a pretty emotional night, so get your tissue boxes ready. Oh, and go to the game if you can. The Stars will be hunting for their third win of the season.