NHLers raise money to fight cancer – ‘a pervasive part of our life,’ Jets coach says

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This article was published 24/11/2019 (2115 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nikolaj Ehlers can usually ignore the outside forces and focus on the game, but that was no easy task Saturday night. Not when the theme of the evening — Hockey Fights Cancer — hits so close to home.

The Winnipeg Jets winger lost his grandfather to cancer a few weeks ago, and another grandpa has been waging a nearly four-year battle.

“It’s personal for me right now, and it has been for many years. I’ve lost some people,” said Ehlers, in a chat after the morning game-day skate. “I know how it’s made me, my family and the person it hits feel. It’s been in my family for over 10 years and it’s not fun. And many, many families are going through it.

“It definitely hits home. A lot of people close to my heart have gone through it and are still going through it.”

November is Hockey Fights Cancer Month across the NHL, and each of the 31 clubs are hosting a special evening to honour the countless individuals who are no longer with us and support people living with, going through and moving past cancer.

The Winnipeg organization did its part on a night when the Columbus Blue Jackets were visiting. Players and coaches wore special ties as part of the fancy duds they arrive to the rink in, and the Jets donned lavender-coloured jerseys during the pre-game skate at Bell MTS Place, to be auctioned off to raise funds for cancer research, programs and awareness initiatives.

In the Winnipeg locker room this weekend, the name of a friend or family member is inscribed on each player’s nameplate above his stall. Ehlers has Bedstefar, the Danish word for grandfather, on his.

“The one who is still with us has been suffering from cancer for a years now. He’ll never be cancer free, they say, but he’s doing well and has a pretty normal life,” said Ehlers. “He stays up (in Denmark) and watches my games at 2 or 3 in the morning. So, it means a lot to me.”

Jets players, coaches and other staff members have been wearing T-shirts and pullovers with a navy blue crest reads, ‘Pritch Strong.’ It’s a show of support for the team’s massage therapist, Al Pritchard, who has undergone recent treatment for second bout with cancer.

Winnipeg associate coach Jamie Kompon’s wife, Tina, has also endured a long battle with breast cancer.

“(The team’s been affected) in all different ways in our room. It’s part of how we move. When you go through the nights in November where you’re a part of Hockey Fights Cancer, I think it’s critically important because you end up taking stock — one of my wife’s best friends last summer — and you start to do a list and go, ‘Oh my God, this list is long.’ And everybody has one,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice.

“It is such a pervasive part of our life, and the loss of life, and I think that reminder — yes the funds, for sure, for cancer research — but the reminder how painful the cost of this disease is.”

The Jets were the visitors during two Hockey Fights Cancer nights — Tampa Bay and Dallas — on their recent road trip. Blue-liner Josh Morrissey said it’s always emotional when cancer patients and survivors, and the memories of those who lost the fight, are celebrated.

“It’s a great initiative by the league and by teams. Everyone has been affected by cancer in their lives, and to see the people that are able to come to the game and hear some of the stories but also raise awareness. What everyone’s after is to find better ways to treat the disease and maybe find a cure one day. That’s what everybody’s after,” said Morrissey.

“When you walk into the rink wearing the Hockey Fights Cancer ties, you’re thinking about somebody in your life, so they’re important nights during the season.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell