Project for Awesome 2016 - United Heroes League

If you didn't know until now, the charity known as Defending the Blue Line has now expanded into the all purpose banner of United Heroes League. The goals are the same, but instead of just creating opportunities for military families with kids in hockey, but more camps involving Baseball, Basketball, and lacrosse.

You can donate to them directly by credit card or paypal or mail them a check to the address provided at the websites. Then you can follow their social media campaign under the new banner they have provided.So, I can't really say much more about it that I haven't said already when the organization was first created. So, please watch the short video that I worked so hard on and support the men and women through their families that keep us all free!

Little Boston Bruins Fan Immortalized With Card

The little fan who got to bump fists with his hockey heroes got another honor by the collector trading card company Upper Deck today as it was announced on their twitter page.

Remember fist bumping @NHLBruins fan Liam Fitzgerald? He was honored with an @UpperDeckSports inspiration card. pic.twitter.com/m91vqcBxAx
— NHL (@NHL) March 27, 2015

It's a really great looking card and captures the impish nature of a young boy enjoying his favorite sport.

Project For Awesome 2014 - USA Hockey Foundation "It Starts With A Stick"

Project for Awesome 2013 - The Mandi Schwartz Foundation

Detroit Goalie Mask Gets More Attention to Breast Cancer Awareness October

Jimmy Howard's Mask October 2013

Sports leagues in October (as well as this hockey blog) have been very eager to help create sensitivity and awareness towards social issues like the need for more breast cancer research funding. In the NHL, they started with little "Hokey Fights Cancer" stickers on helmets. But then they started selling a lot of pink NHL merchandise and the fad of publicly showing support of breast cancer charity.

Since then, all hockey leagues at all levels have some kind of month long event. Even here at Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic
we choose to honor the fight for a cure and donate for continued research in cancer medical research.

This year, Detroit's Jimmy Howard is taking the month of October to a newer level and will debut a new pink ribbon mask (seen at right). What do you think of the mask design? Is this another leap forward in the pink phenomenon that continues to grow every year?

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

[Cross-Posted @ Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic]

Hockey Fights Cancer Honored For Work With Children

Cancer continues to ravage humanity and no more tragic when it is discovered among children. It's never a happy news story once the words "pediatric cancer" appear. There's nothing truly uplifting when the cold reality of young children suffering with the human frailties of disease. But when the news story introduces people willing to make the effort by collecting funding or awareness, it's a good thing.

The social issue awareness wing of the NHL has been given an award to recognize the devoted collective efforts of "Hockey Fights Cancer" program. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has honored them with a plaque in thanks for their continued efforts on the hopeful eradication of pediatric cancer related diseases.


[Via: NHL.com]

Stan Mikita Diagnosed With Cancer

Chicago Blackhawks legend Stan Mikita has been recently diagnosed with oral cancer, but according to reports the doctor prognosis is excellent.

“Stan has been diagnosed with an early base of tongue cancer and the prognosis is excellent,” Dr. Richard Borrowdale of Loyola Medical Center said in a statement. “He will be treated with external beam radiation therapy.”

Mikita once held the Stanley Cup with the 1961 Chicago BlackHawks, the team he spent his entire career with. When he retired in 1980, he stood on a stack of 541 goals in his career and collected many individual player awards such as the Hart twice and Art Ross trophy four times. His number 21 is also retired by the Chicago Blackhawks. [Via: CBS Chicago  Chicago Sun Times]

Hockey for Hooters: An Arizona Event

Some may think of NHL hockey as soon to be extinct, but in other areas, hockey is providing a little more good to humanity as I've learned recently that an event called "Hockey for Hooters" is going on this weekend in Arizona. It's purpose is to raise money for the Susan Komen 3 day Walk Event.

It's a gathering of hockey fans and in-line skaters playing in a tournament to help raise awareness for breast cancer. Their Facebook page has plenty of pictures of players and teams wearing the pink for breast cancer awareness. Like it if you are a member of Facebook.

As for the event itself, it's an open tournament of 3 on 3 with a cost of $395 or $45 dollars per player. The price looks steep, but it's all for a good cause.

It sounds like I should have come up with this title on my own. Alliteration is always fun.

Source: Hockey For Hooters

Pat Burns Arena Raises $1 Million

As a sure sign of outpouring respect, the Pat Burns Memorial Arena announced that it has reached $1 million in donations.

Items put up in a silent auction included one of Sidney Crosby's jerseys from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as well as two signed Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys.

It is because of lots of hockey fans that this achievement can be a true sign of respect for a man who fought bravely in a battle with cancer.

[Via: Rogers Sportsnet]

Ginger Classic is Fun With A Cause

What started out as a joke and a cleverly designed logo has turned into a very successful grass roots campaign to have a very special hockey event that mimics the bigger hockey league promotions. The Ginger Classic, an outdoor roller hockey competition based in Ashland, VA.

I was following along for a while now about the event from a fellow Penguins fan on his blog and I was hoping that the weather that I was getting in my region wasn't the same as theirs. As I read further on through the day on their Facebook page, The Ginger Classic took on a whole serious mission along with enjoying all the recreational fun.

The Ginger Classic collected money for the Richmond Hockey Fights Cancer and the person who donates the most money will receive a gift prize of a brand new bag courtesy of Gearmax USA, Ltd. Pretty sweet!

Capturing the whole spirit of the event is Robert Ullman of the blog Atom Bomb Bikini. (NSFW) As the graphic designer of the Ginger Classic logo, he properly pasted it on himself at the event donning his classic Quebec Nordiques jersey. And that, I think was what the Classic game was all about. Having fun and re-creating the special feeling a title game can bring.

I may want to be in attendance next year. You can check out all the photos from this year's event as well as the Richmond Hockey Fights Cancer website at the links found at the bottom of this blog.

[Via: The Ginger Classic Facebook Page & Richmond Hockey Fights Cancer]

[Cross-posted at Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic]

Hall of Fame Hockey Journalist Jim Kelley Loses Battle with Cancer

During my working affiliation with CJCL-AM in Toronto, ON, I had become accustomed to listening to a fascinating broadcaster by the name of Jim Kelley opine on the direction of hockey in a diverse grouping. His specialty was that as a beat writer for the Buffalo Sabres at the The Buffalo News in 1981, but also expanded to the point where he gained such national acclaim he was awarded a spot in the Hockey Hall of fame in 2004.

His career took a long bit of a journey having worked for practically all major media sources. ESPN, FOX, Rogers, and Sports Illustrated, all featured his hockey columns. With the advent of syndication over the Internet, I listened to a guy who had a mastery of communication equally paired with a volume of endless stories in his hockey world. It was a natural pairing of Kelley to Fan590's curmudgeon McCown, to which their friendship colored their discussions. Kelley had to reel in the Canadian bias with his American perspective and provide a seasoning of hope that the game he loved was being reported accurately.

I never got to work with Jim, but for a brief time we were colleagues at Fadoo.ca. He always seemed like a great guy and now the hockey world is all the more at a loss for his passing by cancer.

It is with deeper devotion that this blog will continue to highlight the efforts by the hockey world continue the fight against cancer in all it's forms so that no more lives can be affected by the horrible disease.

[Via: Sportsnet.ca]

Pat Burns Loses Battle With Cancer

By now, most of you have already heard the tragic news that one of the familiar faces in the modern hockey era has passed away due to cancer. Pat Burns was more than a "journeyman coach" as his knowledge for the game traversed many things much like his flyer miles.

He never coached in my hometown, but I do know him through his reputation as being a great coach. So, in times like this where my own knowledge of a subject is limited, I refer to other people who are in the loop. Sportsnet columnist and former Sabres beat writer Jim Kelley has perhaps the best tribute to the late coach. He recounted the wisdom passed along to him during their last meeting.

"It's pretty much like I used to tell my players," he said. "You can't complain about the circumstances, about the hand you're dealt. You just get up every day and you deal with it. It's hard, it's hard on you and it's hard on your family, but you can't change any of that. You get up, you look in the mirror and you say 'not today, you're not going to beat me today'. Sometimes you win that day, sometimes the cancer knocks you down and takes its day, but you get up again tomorrow. You keep getting up until the day comes..."

But of the things I am comfortable talking about is the way that the disease known as cancer has gotten so bad and taken so many lives, that we must all do a part to find a way to find a better cure for it. The NHL already does a lot for charity and hope that you too can find the time to contribute.
 [Via: Sportsnet.ca - Jim Kelley]

[Cross-possed @ Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic] 

Give Blood Play Hockey Tournament Registering Teams

Of the many good charities out there, you would think that this blog focused on hockey charities that did good work for cancer. You would be right. However, there are still a number of hockey related charities that I would like to highlight from time to time that doesn't necessarily involve cancer. I would like to introduce a remarkable charity that is only in it's 4th year, but is gaining a lot of notoriety with the help of various social networking websites as well as hockey blogs (like this one!)

The Give Blood Play Hockey Inline Hockey Charity Tournament (GBPH) is a marquis roller hockey tournament hosted by The 949 Roller Hockey Center in Irvine, CA and produced by an all volunteer group of inspired organizers whose Hockey With A Heart spirit is the common bond of this annual charity event. Founded in 2007 by a very special young lady, Mary Quayle. Mary created the tournament concept, its theme and then coordinated it's organization. It was all Mary’s idea.

So, the event was started in California. Awesome.

The annual Give Blood Play Hockey Inline Hockey Charity Tournament is a family-oriented event drawing thousands to the weekend long, carnival-like atmosphere. In addition to blood donations from attendees and the community alike, the GBPH event also solicits donors to the National Bone Marrow Foundation via the BAHBAD organization and event proceeds from team registrations, private contributions and sponsorships benefit the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). It is truly an event that connects the sport with the community and needs your help to continue giving.

This is a great idea to not only focus on one thing like raising blood donations, but it also helps out other foundations as well. If not monetarily, but to create awareness and seek out those who can benefit.

Check out their official website for any information related to this event.

Give Blood Play Hockey

Street Hockey to Conquer Cancer

With many stick taps to Monika With a K, I have to share this video blog here detailing the big event scheduled on October 1st 2011. I guess I will let the always charming Leafspace.com host explain the event and why,

but if you are like me and can't be there in Ontario, Canada there is a form on-line where you can make a general donation directly to the cause. I do not see any Paypal markers or buttons, but that shouldn't discourage your philanthropy.

I would certainly like to host something like this in the South Western PA, USA where it could be a great idea to not only raise some interest, but have some fun in the process.

Please go to the website Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer for all the information that you need to get involved.

Fallen Officer Saluted with Second Annual Hockey Tournament

A few years ago, the Pittsburgh area was horrified by the tragic death of 3 police officers responding to a hostage situation. The tragedy was then turned around into something positive for the community. Many people started buying and wearing t-shirts to show their support for the policemen's families as well as solidarity among those who survived the gunfire.

But one of the fallen officers, Paul Scuillo, has had a street hockey tournament established in his honor. Having played hockey for Central Catholic, some of Scuillo's family members plan on having a memorial street hockey event that helps the immediate family in their loss.

For all the information related to the event and where you can possibly pledge support, go to the official website.

Mandi Schwartz's Charity Fundraiser Faces Fraud

Stupid people.

In a turn of events that could only be written in Hollywood, Tedd Collins IV has now been outed as an accused thief and scam artist based upon reports that he has worked on behalf of other fund-raising opportunities. Collin's victims have all surfaced recently due to the press' attention on Schwartz's critical condition.

Collins’s legal problems were not known to Schwartz’s family or Yale officials until one of his alleged fraud victims saw news articles about his charitable work and contacted the university and The New York Times. On Tuesday, Yale officials said that they stood by Collins’s volunteer work, explaining they had no evidence of wrongdoing on his part. But it is not clear what has happened to the more than $10,000 he has raised this year in charitable contributions for Mandi Schwartz and other leukemia patients. The Schwartz family said it had not received any money from Collins.

I hope that none of you were a victim of Collins' apparent scam. Other than trying to help out Mandi by spreading her unfortunate tragic story, I have to say that I have lost some money - only a few bucks to this jerk.

I will be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops.

New York Times and Hockey Wilderness

Become Mandi's Hero

Hockey Players and Teams really know how to rally around a fellow teammate as well as network within the fabric of a hockey community. Once again, with the help of Facebook and other various networks, we learn of another story of personal tragedy and need.

Mandi Schwartz is a pretty and young hockey student athete at Yale university. She comes from a whole family of hockey players and has potential to have a brother get drafted in the upcoming entry draft. But in 2008, Mandi was diagnosed with leukemia that was helped by chemotherapy, but not all the way. It has only bought her some more time to look for a bone marrow doner - and just like the countdown of a hockey game clock.... it's running out on Mandi.

Take a minute or two to check out the Facebook page with the link provided and consider donating to the charity that is working hard to keep her alive and well. If you canno afford anything to spare, then consider donating your time to spreading around this facebook page to all of your friends in hopes that they too will do the same to keep the word going out.

As for all survivors and patients stricken with the deadly diseases like cancer and leukemia, COHF will continue to pray and support these brave men and women.

[Via: Become Mandi's Hero & Tonic.com]

Mario Lemieux Mosaic

As one of the most fan-friendly organizations in North America, the Pittsburgh Penguins have once again come up with an idea to celebrate and combine the deep love the city of Pittsburgh has for hockey, charity, and the new state of the art mega civic facility known as the Consol Energy Center.

As it has been just introduced this morning, the Mario Lemieux Foundation has decided to collect more needed funding for cancer charity research and allowing the Penguins fans to participate in a mural wall showing their Penguins pride.

For a modest yet poignant $66 dollars, you can purchase your spot in the Consol Energy Center showing off your Penguins pride in a picture that will make some sort of mural - most likely looking like one of the photos to the upper left hand corner of this blog.

Click on this link at the bottom of this blog to find out how you can be a part of the project.

[Via: Mario Lemieux Mosaic and