Toledo Walleye rookie goaltender Jan Bednar received the shocking news that no 20-year-old would expect to get about an energetic and talented young teammate.
In April, 2022, Bednar learned his fellow countryman and teammate, Pavel Novak, had been diagnosed with cancer. Both were members of the Czechia U20 national team at the time.
“I have a buddy who told me he had lung cancer last year. And I couldn't believe it,” Bednar said. “He's one of my greatest buddies, and we played together on the national team. So it was a big shock.”
Everyone has a story to tell about the devastating impact of the insidious disease. Bednar shared his during the Walleye's annual Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Huntington Center on Nov. 17.
Novak was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a serious but treatable form of blood cancer that impacts the lymphatic system. Novak missed all of the 2022-23 season, but he was declared cancer-free this October after undergoing 16 months of treatment in his native Czechia.
The 21-year-old forward, who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2020, is back on the ice and currently playing for the AHL's Iowa Wild.
“He beat the cancer. He's back to playing hockey now, and I'm just so happy for him,” Bednar said. “He's a strong man to beat it, and then being able to play hockey so soon again is amazing.”
The Walleye organization has annually teamed up with the ECHL and Hockey Fights Cancer to raise awareness and money for research during November. The Walleye players wore specialty jerseys and played on purple ice.
The Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, which is in its 25th year, is aimed at uniting the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families.
“We all have a story,” Walleye coach Pat Mikesch said. “This one hits everyone in every area. So it's a cool way to honor [cancer survivors]. You almost wish you did it for a whole month because there are just so many people that you could have a story for every night. I know we had some cool stories [of survivors] with our players. Hockey does a great job [with the initiative].”
Walleye forward Colin Theisen, who scored in Toledo's 4-2 win over Kalamazoo on the special night, also said his life has been greatly impacted by the disease.
“I've had a couple of family members pass away with cancer and a couple of close friends battled it and survived,” Theisen said. “It just puts in perspective that this is just a game and there's more to life. We're happy to sponsor this event and to show those people that there's more to life than hockey, and we do this for them.”
2Bednar, a rookie, made 22 saves in Toledo's win in front of 7,864 fans on the cancer awareness night. He said Novak was not far from his mind after the final horn blew.
Novak, who started the season playing for the ECHL's Iowa Heartlanders, scored two goals in his second game back on the ice on Oct. 20. The Heartlanders will be in Toledo for games on Saturday and Sunday against the Walleye at the Huntington Center.
Novak gave his thoughts on his fight with the disease during an interview this month with the Iowa Wild for that organization's Hockey Fights Cancer event.
“Every day for me is awesome. You enjoy it more than other people,” Novak said. “For me, it's not like going to work. It's not a job for me anymore. I'm enjoying every single moment. I tell [those battling cancer] to keep fighting and stay positive. There are so many more important things in life than hockey.”
The NHL and the Hockey League Players’ Association established the event to provide support to cancer patients and their families. Organizations at all levels of the sport now have Hockey Fights Cancer campaigns aimed at funding research to improve treatment options, find cures, and save lives.
The Walleye's game-worn jerseys were auctioned off after the contest, with proceeds, which are still being calculated, benefiting the Walleye Wishing Well grant fund and the ProMedica Cancer Institute.
Fans wrote the names of loved ones who have been affected by cancer on two displays on the dasher boards at the Huntington Center. Fans also filled out placards with names for a moment of recognition during the game. Mystery pucks signed by the entire team also were sold for $20.
The Walleye also hold an annual “Pink in the Rink” weekend, as well. The event will be held on March 1 and March 2, with the team playing on pink ice to raise awareness about breast cancer. A special recognition also will be held during the game in support of breast cancer survivors.
Season status: Through 14 games, the Walleye (9-3-2) are in first place in the ECHL Central Division. Toledo has 20 points, one more than second-place Iowa (8-5-3). Toledo is 4-2-1 at home and hosts the Heartlanders (8-5-3) on Saturday and Sunday. The Walleye play at Wheeling (8-7-0) on Friday.
Forward Brandon Hawkins leads the team with 20 points. His 11 goals rank second in the ECHL, and his 75 shots on goal lead the league.
First Published November 27, 2023, 10:38 p.m.
