The Return of a Classic: The Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game and Charity Auction

Dave Fay was a long-time writer for the Washington Times who covered the Caps for more than 20 years until his passing in 2007 from cancer. He was among the best in his profession, a winner of the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for hockey journalism that earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In tribute to Fay’s work as a hockey journalist and his contributions to hockey, and to contribute to efforts to fight cancer, three Caps fans -- Gavin Toner, Rob Keaton, and Ben Wilson -- founded “Put Cancer on Ice,” the banner under which monthly benefit games were held and the annual "Dave Fay Memorial Classic" game was played. The annual "Dave Fay Memorial Classic" game pitted teams of Caps fans (and occasionally, the odd former Cap) from Virginia and Maryland against each other during which hockey-related items were auctioned for charity. The game was played annually in July in 2007, 2008 and 2009 until circumstances put the game into hiatus. But this year the game returns. The particulars for the game are as follows:

The Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game and Charity Auction

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011
Time: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Place: Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Arlington, VA

The silent auction items already listed are impressive, indeed, featuring items signed by a number of Capitals, as well as other NHL and Hershey Bears items. There will be much more going on, both on and off the ice, all in the name of charity. You can get more information at the "Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game" page on Facebook and at the "Put Cancer on Ice" page on Facebook.

If satisfying your hockey fix is what you need, you aren’t going to do better – or do better for a worthy cause – than marking your calendar for the Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game on July 23rd.

Not "goodbye," we hope... just "until next time"

Over there on the right hand margin of this page, you'll see a question...

"Hate Cancer?"

If you click the link, you will be sent to "Put Cancer On Ice" that in their words is "a grassroots organization comprised of Washington Capitals hockey fans."

That description doesn't tell the half of it. For several years, Gavin Toner, Rob Keaton, and Ben Wilson -- the founders of the group -- have been holding monthly benefit games and the annual "Dave Fay Memorial Classic" game (in honor of the late Dave Fay, legendary sports writer for the Washington Times), auctioning off hockey-related items, and generally doing good works in the cause of fighting cancer under the "Put Cancer On Ice" banner.

Life's responsibilities intervene, though, even with respect to the best of causes, and the banner of "Put Cancer On Ice" is to be furled. But as PCOI goes into hiatus, the body of work that the organization leaves behind -- increasing awareness of this disease, bring hockey players and fans together in common cause, giving hockey fans an oasis in the heat of summer with the annual Dave Fay game, and raising more than $30,000 in the fight against cancer -- is impressive.

With that in mind, and for what it's worth, we'll leave the light on with that link over there in the margin with the hope that we'll see PCOI in the future.

Until next time... thanks Gavin, Rob, and Ben, and all the folks who worked with and supported PCOI for all of your contributions for your help in fighting cancer. You've been an inspiration to the rest of us in the Capitals community.

HEY!... Consider this a reminder

Tomorrow...

Saturday, July 25th

4:00 pm

The Third Annual Dave Fay Memorial

A titanic struggle of wills, an historic contest of grit and determination, a desperate struggle to figure out who buys first round after the game...

The Commonwealth of Virginia

vs.

The Free State of Maryland

The Battle for Lord Brown's Boot

With a silent auction of one-of-a-kind items, the dulcet tones of Caps in-game announcer Wes Johnson, the flappery of Slapshot, an appearance by Capitals defenseman Brian Pothier, Miss Virginia -- Tara Wheeler -- tending goal at one end, Caps radio play-by-play announcer Steve Kolbe manning the pipes at the other end, Caps alumni, a good cause to be supported... good heavens, you can't miss this!

Hey you...yeah, you. Like hockey? Hate cancer?

Then look here...

...and mark your calendars.

Celebrities (Brian Pothier, Slapshot!), silent auction, hockey, a good cause... hey, what could be better in July?

And if you need a reminder of the hard-fought tilt last year, then check this out.

Here is the press release on the event...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUT CANCER ON ICE to hold
Third Annual Dave Fay Charity Hockey Game
and Silent Auction

July 2009 - Washington, DC -- Put Cancer On Ice™ (PCOI) will hold the Third Annual Dave Fay Memorial Hockey game Saturday July 25, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. Sponsored in part by The Front Page restaurant and Sports Page deli, together with annual PCOI sponsor Mirant Mid-Atlantic, this year’s event will include scheduled appearances by Capitals defenseman, Brian Pothier, and Capitals mascot, Slapshot.

Members of the professional hockey community, Yvon Labre, Granny Grant, Gord Lane, Blair Stewart and Gary & Jaynen Rissling will join players from across Maryland and Virginia as they compete for annual bragging rights and Lord Brown’s Boot in the charity hockey game. The first period will feature an in-goal duel between celebrity guest goalies, The Ice Queen, Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler and Iceman, Steve Kolbe, Capitals radio play announcer.

PCOI will again hold a silent auction for sought after NHL and Capitals team items including a Capitals jersey signed by the entire ’08-’09 team, Alex Ovechkin signed collectible, Mike Gartner tribute signed collectibles, and an NHL game puck signed by Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Charra, among others.

“We have received amazing support from the Capitals organization, Hockey Fights Cancer and the entire community,” declared Rob Keaton, PCOI co-chair. ”The players are thrilled to take the ice alongside some of the Caps greats and look forward to hearing their names called by Caps game announcer, Wes Johnson who will be on hand to call the game.”

“What started out a few years ago as a casual, monthly pickup hockey game among Caps fans has developed into a charity that we all are excited to be a part of,” explains PCOI co-chair, Gavin Toner. “We are honored and excited to hold this event in recognition of Dave Fay. His support of our sport and unbiased, reliable reporting of the Washington Capitals made him a favorite of players and fans alike. Dave’s untimely passing from cancer was a loss for so many and we are pleased to again donate all proceeds from this event to Hockey Fights Cancer.”

There is no admission fee to watch the game, but donations are always appreciated.

For a list of auction items and event information, visit the organization’s website at http://www.putcanceronice.org/.

Happy Anniversary PCOI

Put Cancer on Ice is a group of Washington Capitals fans that organizes monthly hockey games and other events (such as the Dave Fay Memorial Classic that was held in July) to contribute to the fight against cancer.

As Gavin Toner -- one of the founding members of the group -- points out, this month will see the second anniversary of the founding of the group and its monthly pick-up games for charity.

To date, PCOI has raised almost than $24,000 in this effort -- and counting -- with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society (through the Woodbridge Relay for Life) and Hockey Fights Cancer.

If your interested on what the group is up to, check out their web site, or check The Official for news on upcoming games.

To Gavin Toner, Rob Keaton and Ben Wilson, happy anniversary. Here's to hoping there will be a "Going Out of Business" game in the near future, because cancer will have been put "on ice," in no small part due to your efforts.

Put Cancer on Ice...This Saturday

A reminder to all you Caps fans looking for a hockey fix in this summer heat...

Put Cancer on Ice is holding their second annual Dave Fay Memorial Hockey Game and Auction at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Saturday, July 19th, at 8:30pm. The details are in the flyer below (click for more information).

The struggle between the squads representing the Great Commonwealth of Virginia and the Free State of Maryland to possess the cherished "Lord Brown's Boot" -- emblematic of hockey superiority in the National Capital Region -- will be every bit as spirited and hard-fought as any game you're going to see. Add to that a silent auction and an appearance by some Capitals' alumni, and it promises to be a special evening.

It is a great cause and a fine event sponsored by a great bunch of folks. As someone who attended last year's event, believe me...you won't be disappointed.