Storm forward Lukas Jirousek is fighting for his grandparents, who have all had their own battles with cancer (Photo: Grande Prairie Storm)

By Shaun Penner

Cancer Awareness

Storm join NHL initiative with Hockey Fights Cancer Night

Oct 11, 2019 | 7:16 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm are putting up a fight against more than the Bonnyville Pontiacs tonight.

Down at Revolution Place, the team is set to host its first-ever Hockey Fights Cancer Night.

The team has annually hosted a cancer fundraising and awareness game, but Storm Business Manager Eric Hein notes this year has a different twist.

“This is our first year where we’re partnering with Hockey Fights Cancer, which is the national NHL brand for cancer awareness. We’re really excited.”

This is a cause that is near and dear to many within the club, including Assistant Coach Ryan Aasman, who has seen many family members and friends battle with cancer. That’s something he details in the video below:

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“Cancer has affected so many people, whether it’s directly or indirectly. I think everyone has a story now,” said Hein. “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone without a story of a family member, or a loved one, or a friend that hasn’t gone through some sort of cancer journey.”

As a way to raise funds, the team will be wearing special jerseys this evening that were donated by Brogan Safety. Fans in attendance can bid on those jerseys during the game, and the winning bidder gets to have a picture taken with the player after the game. All proceeds will be going to the Canadian Cancer Society.

The annual cancer awareness game is one of many the team hosts throughout the season, which Hein says he always looks forward to because the community always steps up to support a good cause.

“We do very well at these charity games. Last year, through all of our charity games, we gave over $20,000 to charity,” said Hein. “So, we’re happy to be doing that again.”

He adds that playing for causes like this shows the community that the young men on the team fight for more than just goals and assists.

“It helps people understand that hockey, this community and hockey teams are just bigger than the sport itself.”

Puck drop is at 7:30 this evening.

You can also hear Jirousek’s story in the video shown below: