National Hockey League players Travis Zajac and Nigel Dawes play on the same ice surface at the same time in just three places -- New Jersey, New York and Selkirk.
VIDEO: NHLers help out
Zajac and Dawes, both 23-year-old players from Winnipeg, are part of a group of dedicated local professional hockey players with Manitoba roots who will come together Aug. 7 in Selkirk Recreation Complex for the third annual Sizzlin' Summer Showcase, a fundraising event hosted by Todd Davison's Believe in the Goal Foundation which has raised $75,000 in its first two years for cancer patient care.
Nigel Dawes likes look of the official jersey for the Sizzlin’ Summer Showdown.
At a press conference Wednesday at Total Hockey Conditioning & Focus Fitness, it was announced this year will be the first time it is a two-part event, the dream of Davison who passed away at 20 years of age on Dec. 2, 2006 after battling cancer for over two years.
There will also be an invitational golf tournament on Aug. 6 at Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club. The event is expected to include professional players such as Zajac, Dawes, Jonathan Toews, Colton Orr, Jordin Tootoo, Cam Barker and 2008 NHL draft pick Chet Pickard.
"Playing against some of these guys in the NHL, you're usually enemies and now we can get out there and have some fun together with the most important thing being that it's for a great cause," said Zajac, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound centre with the New Jersey Devils. Zajac was one of just four Devils who played in all 82 games in 2007-2008. "Todd was such an unselfish person who cared so much about helping other people and that's my values too. It's such a great event and I want to do anything I can to help this cause."
Dawes, a former member of the Western Hockey League's Kootenay Ice, played against Davison in the WHL in 2002-2003 when Davison was a 16-year-old rookie with the Regina Pats.
"It's a lot of fun to be out there (in the charity game) and I'm honoured to be part of this, being around all these guys and helping out any way you can," said Dawes, a 5-foot-8, 179-pound left-wing with the New York Rangers. He participated in the past events. "With the vision that Todd had and the support we've gotten from the community, you almost don't even have to ask, people are volunteering. I'd like to see it keep growing."
Pickard, selected in the first round, 18th overall by Nashville Predators, said he was relishing the opportunity to join forces with other Manitoba players.
"It's fun to be here and realize how small the hockey world is," he said. "I have so much respect for everyone here and involved in the foundation... I hope I can donate something to this. It really brings you back down to reality and enjoy every day you wake up in the sunshine. I know all of us would do anything for a foundation like this."
At 5-foot-8, Davison had battled players bigger than he on the ice and took that same attitude to his battle against cancer. Diagnosed in June 2004, he had a tumour removed in March 2005 which left him with limited use of his left arm and ended his hockey career. He began the foundation in 2006 "to help give others hope in the fight against cancer."
Barb Davison, Todd's mother who attended the press conference as well as Davison's father Bob, said her family is hoping the event will help to create a special room in a Winnipeg hospital for teen-aged patients who are undergoing cancer treatments.
"Our dream is to make a room for a teenager like Todd was, going through treatments, that they could have to themselves and be a teenager with the things they need," she said. "It would help their families too, to be more comfortable. I slept on an aluminum chair some nights (when Todd was hospitalized) because that's all that was available and we never let him stay a night by himself."
Tickets for the hockey game are available through Ticketmaster at 780-3333. For more information see www.believeinthegoal.com or call 231-8661.
ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca
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