When the Humboldt Broncos bus crashed on April 6, 2018, the hockey community responded. In honor of the 16 lives lost and 13 injured, many around the world placed hockey sticks outside their doors to support those impacted by the tragedy. Dawg Nation, a Denver-based non-profit dedicated to serving those in need in the hockey community, went to work on providing financial assistance. After raising almost $50,000 to support those affected by the crash, Dawg Nation will continue its efforts in another way on Nov. 23 in Magness Arena.

During the first intermission of Friday's Denver-Providence game, Ryan Straschnitzki and Jacob Wassermann, survivors of the Humboldt bus crash, will participate in a sled hockey game. Martin Richardson, Executive Director of Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, spearheaded the event after hearing Straschnitzki mention during a television interview from his hospital bed that he planned to continue his playing career through sled hockey.

Since 2011, Dawg Nation has raised more than $1.3 million for more than 100 hockey families in need of support. Helping Straschnitzki and Wassermann was a no brainer.   

"There's lots of great charities out there and there's lots of them that help people financially, which is a big part of getting back on your feet and taking away stress, but we don't really end there," Richardson said. "What Dawg Nation does is it takes it another step further."

The game will be another step in the healing process for Straschnitzki and Wassermann, as well as for those victimized by the loss of friends and family. Pioneers sophomore defenseman Ian Mitchell is among that group. Mitchell lost friends in the accident, including his best friend from sixth-grade, Logan Hunter.

"That's huge for Dawg Nation to be helping out a couple survivors of the crash and countless other people," Mitchell said. "It has been great to see how close the hockey community is and how we are all here to pick each other up."

Friday's sled hockey game will mark the first time Straschnitzki and Wassermann have shared the ice since the accident.

"It's going to be emotional when they go out for the first time," Richardson said. "Everybody has their own challenges they have to go through. At the end of the day it's what you do with those challenges and it's what you do to overcome them. Jake and Ryan are taking a giant step by taking the ice for the first time as teammates again."
 
TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.

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