In an offseason full of drama (thanks Kevin Lowe), let's take some time out to recognize the unsung heroes of the game, the people who are superstars off the ice as well as on the ice.
2007-08-07 14:47:10 · 20 answers · asked by Snoop 5 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Wow, you're the first person I've seen thank Kevin Lowe. :P
Does a retired player count? If so, my vote goes to Mario Lemieux. His foundation has become one of those most prominent in the entire state of Pennsylvania...
Direct quote from Wikipedia (they explain it better than I would):
"Lemieux created the "Mario Lemieux Foundation" in 1993, the same year he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The main objective of the Foundation is to fund promising medical research projects being conducted by scientists.
Additionally, the Lemieux Foundation supports other organizations such as the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Leukemia Society, the Lupus Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh."
Good stuff. (And another great question by Snoop! Keep 'em comin'!)
2007-08-07 15:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by Erica 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
That's hard to say. They all do great work. Al lthe teams do charity work via Casino Night and other events such as the Fedorin Cup. I know #91 donates money to kids in Russia to buy hockey equipment. Teemu donated money for a machine needed in a hospital in Finland. Brad May held a charity game during the lockout. The Ducks hosted a walk a thon for autism.They all go to Choc do do volunteer work. You could probably list all ~700 players and they all contribute something. So, there's another reason to love the NHL. These guys are awesome.
2007-08-08 13:50:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What about Josh Harding? He has got the helmet with Find a Cure on it. All answers are great. Hockey is unlike any other sport out there. Almost all players do something to help others who aren't as fortunate. It really makes a difference in the real world.
2007-08-07 22:59:01 · answer #3 · answered by Too many years without the Cup 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Being a native of Minnesota, I've had the privelage of meeting a player that represents total unselfishness and devotion to the community and hospitals. This player's name is Dan Hinote. A few years ago, he created a group called Hinote's Heroes, a group devoted purely to helping kids in need at hospitals and other children in need. He raised so much money for the benefit of others and is a class act as a person and a player. He currently plays for the St. Louis Blues.
2007-08-07 22:13:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I never knew Kolzig is a spokesman for autism. Good for him.
I don't know the biggest, but I think the Leafs deserve a mention. Every year, they hold an annual skate for Easter Seals. For those of you who don't know what they do, they help terminally ill children experience what they've always wanted to do. And what person wouldn't want to meet the Leafs, let alone go around the ACC ice with them for a few laps? Also, the Raptors do something, I think around Christmas, at Sick Kids Hospital.
I volunteer for the Starlight, Starbright Foundation annual conference. They do the same thing for terminally ill kids, except on a smaller scale, obviously. Trust me, any little high point on those kids lives can do one hell of a difference.
2007-08-07 22:22:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ron Francis has a brother who is mentally handicapped and Ron has spent a great deal of his money and time working with the Special Olympics program.
One of Gretzky's special focuses was the CNIB. He's held some form of charity event every year to raise money for the Ross MacDonald school for the blind in Brantford.
I think if you were to pull down a name, any name, you'd find they try to do something no matter who they are or where they are from. Hockey players do give back to the communities.
2007-08-07 22:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman and Wayne Gretzky.
2007-08-08 12:54:25 · answer #7 · answered by graffiti62 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My pick would be former NHLer Shjon Podein. Podein certainly was never a superstar on the ice, though-- just one of the hardest workers.
The time, effort and money he and his wife have put in to his childrens' charities is remarkable.
He is probably the nicest pro athlete I have ever met.
2007-08-07 22:31:08 · answer #8 · answered by ihateeverybodyexceptyou 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
A lot of great answers. I have to add Mike Modano. He started the Mike Modano Foundation in 2000. I copied the mission from the website, mikemodano.com
Our Mission . . . The Mike Modano Foundation's mission is to raise funds to improve the quality of life for at-risk and under-served children in the Dallas, Texas area. The primary focus of the foundation is to serve children who have been abused (either physically, emotionally or both), abandoned or neglected. In addition, the Mike Modano Foundation provides funding for organizations whose purpose is to offer education to children and families suffering the devastation of abuse to help break the cycle of abuse.
2007-08-07 23:10:03 · answer #9 · answered by hockey_gal9 *Biggest Stars fan!* 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Love him or hate him (Personally I love him lol), Patrick Roy did alot for the St. Justine Childrens hospital here in Montreal, and of course Saku Koivu
but, there are ALOT of players that do charity work, and while we're at it, their wives / gf's do too :)
2007-08-08 08:50:22 · answer #10 · answered by ss98 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋