QMJHL Moncton Wildcats

Cancer Survivor Kevin Rickard Gets Day Pass To Cheer On Riopel

Published on April 29, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Moncton Wildcats News Release


Moncton, NB - Tomorrow nights opening game of the QMJH final is special in many ways but especially significant for cancer survivor Kevin Rickard of Fredericton. For the first time this season, Rickard will see Nicola Riopel tend goal for the Moncton Wildcats. .

On January 14th Riopel announced he would use his putting stopping talents with a mission to raise funds for Kevin in his 14 month fight to beat cancer.

During regular season home games, Rio donated a dollar for each save he made and the amount would be matched by the Wildcats organization. The Wildcats number one fan teenager Brent Daborn decided he would give 25 cents of his allowance to help Rio and the Wildcats in the fundraising effort.

When the playoffs started Rio decided to double the amount to two dollars per save at home games and the figure, going into the final series has now reached $1150.00.

"My family has lost members to cancer in the last year and I know how painful that can be," Riopel said. "I want to use my hockey talents to help a member of our Wildcats family in his battle to be a winner in the biggest game of his life, beating cancer."

Since December 2008, when he was first struck by the disease, Kevin and his wife Anella have been unable to attend Wildcats games but Friday night; they will be part of the sell out crowd at Harbour Station for the beginning of the final series between the Wildcats and Sea Dogs. The Rickards will also be at the Coliseum on Sunday afternoon when the teams meet in game two of the series. The couple, who live in Fredericton have been season ticket holders with the Wildcats since 2004 and would travel to Moncton for home game and often make trips to Saint John and Bathurst to see the Wildcats on the road.

After initial treatment and going into remission in early 2009, Kevin was given the devastating news that his cancer had returned. Determined to be as strong as the young hockey players he supports, Kevin took the battle to the next level, stem cell transplantation at the Queen Elizabeth Health Centre in Halifax earlier this year and has been in rehab since.

Among those who will greet Kevin and Anella on Friday night will be Wildcats General Manager Bill Schurman, who has known the Rickards for eight years. "It is bound to be an emotional game," Schurman said. "What you have is a hockey warrior helping another warrior, who is fighting a life threatening battle. The Wildcats organization and Rio are humbled to be given the opportunity of helping in this fight. Kevin and Anella have shown remarkable courage over the past 16 months and the Wildcats are happy to support Rio in his effort to help bring attention to battling cancer which affects so many Canadians."

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2010


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