NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer Initiative Lights Up Hope in Offseason

NEW YORK, NY – For the last two decades, November has been a month that has served as catalyst for the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and while there are no games on the schedule for the rest year, the league continues to pledge to raise awareness and funds for people impacted by cancer.

After all, when it comes to fighting cancer, there is no offseason. Especially true this year, cancer patients have faced even more adversity during the coronavirus pandemic and uncertain times, but that has not deterred the league’s resolve in demonstrating their support in a time of need.

NHL broadcaster and former player Eddie Olczyk, who was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2017, recalled how the hockey community rallied together for him during an emotional time. That inspired him to fight and beat cancer.

“There’s a lot of hard things about battling cancer, but one of the toughest was looking (my family) in the eye and telling them I’m sick,” explained Olczyk in a four-minute video ‘Behind the Card’ to promote the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. “I almost felt better when everyone knew. I always knew the hockey community was second to none, but it meant a lot and it will always mean a lot because cancer will always be with me.”

Olczyk, 54, who returned to the broadcast booth for the first time just over three months after his diagnosis, received a standing ovation in St. Louis. He joked that it was the only time that he received such appreciation there being that he played for the long-time rival Chicago Blackhawks.

“I feel very blessed and very lucky,” Olczyk added. “I don’t think that there’s any doubt that the greatest initiative our league has put their name to is the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. From the leadership of (Commissioner Gary Bettman) to everybody in the NHL office to all of the teams and the communities that those teams represent.”

“It’s a way to bring awareness, it’s a way to show and share people in their communities a day they will never forget.”

This afternoon, the NHL and its clubs have united on social media to commemorate the first annual ‘Face of the Fight’, a virtual moment to honor all those who have been impacted by cancer. Each club will participate on their independent social media channels and fans can follow this initiative through @NHL or get involved by using the official hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer.

Toronto’s CN Tower will showcase lavender lighting tonight in support of the Canadian Cancer Society’s partnership with Hockey Fights Cancer. Another illumination will take place next week, on Saturday, Nov. 28, as Vancouver’s BC Place will feature lavender lights from sunset to 11:00 p.m. PT and heart animations at the top of each hour.

Meanwhile, the NHL Network™ is continuing to feature Hockey Fights Cancer™ stories on its flagship studio program NHL Tonight™ throughout November, including today at 6:00 p.m. ET with former NHL veteran Dominic Moore. Moore will highlight his Katie Moore Foundation and Smashfest, a charity ping-pong challenge which focuses on fundraising for research on rare cancers.

Kim Parent, the daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Bernie Parent, recently joined NHL Network to discuss creating the “Oskar Strong” shirt for Oskar Lindblom, which has raised over $200,000 for Hockey Fights Cancer. Eric Hawerchuk, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk, also joined NHL Network last week to discuss his father’s legacy and battle with stomach cancer which ended this past August.

Last year, donations raised for Hockey Fights Cancer surpassed more than $3.8 million and the Stanley Cup® Hope Lodge Tour debuted, which included visits to four cities in the U.S. and Canada. Fans can donate to the NHL and NHLPA’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative by visiting HockeyFightsCancer.com. Altogether, the NHL has raised more than $28 million for those affected by cancer.

Returning for the fourth season and committing to the next three years as official partners of Hockey Fights Cancer, are esteemed national organizations American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society operates more than 30 Hope Lodge facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and has provided more than five million nights of lodging since 1984. In Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society operates seven lodges across the country providing meals, accommodations, transportation, activities, and emotional support for hundreds of cancer patients each day.

Fans can get involved by sharing their stories using the official hashtag #HockeyFightsCancer and by visiting HockeyFightsCancer.com to donate and download an “I Fight For” card. HFC Merchandise is available at NHLShop.com.