Preds Learn From Local Cancer Patient     HFC Photo Gallery   October 2010 HFC Night   Hockey Fights Cancer Night Recap

When the Nashville Predators took on Colorado this past Saturday, not only did they battle to a hard-fought 4-2 win over the Avalanche, they also went to battle for something even bigger: the fight against pediatric cancer. To help support the fight against cancer, the Preds showed their support for the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative with the second of two We Care for Kids benefit nights held this season – the first of which occurred this past October. This special benefit night featured several initiatives geared towards growing awareness and raising funds for pediatric cancer research. The Predators Foundation silent auction, which featured such one-of-a-kind items as autographed Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys and plates designed and painted by cancer patients and autographed by Preds players, donated all proceeds back to Children’s Hospital.

Serving as Child Ambassador the evening was 17-year-old Marshall, a local Preds fan and cancer patient. Marshall was given the honor of dropping the puck in a pre-game ceremonial faceoff and was named Mayor of Smashville for the evening – charging him with the task of welcoming the team back on the ice with an air-raid siren from the band stage after the first intermission. Other initiatives from the night included a pre-game meet and greet for Zebra’s Care, post-game meet and greets for Children’s Hospital patients with Preds players, former cancer patient and 2009 Child Ambassador Trace Kimler serving as the BlueCross BlueShield Blueliner of the game. Trace participated in the ceremonial puck drop in October of 2009 for Hockey Fights Cancer and is currently in remission from Ewing Sarcoma cancer.