Lucas County Arena fund-raiser set for Clay hockey player (12.28.09)

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Article published December 28, 2009 in Toledo Blade
 
By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

It's been 13 months since he suffered a severe spinal cord injury, but the northwest Ohio hockey community continues to rally around Kyle Cannon.

The 15-year-old Clay High School student was paralyzed during a holiday tournament in the Dayton area on Nov. 30, 2008. Several fund-raisers have been held since then to help defray the Oregon resident's medical costs.

The next event will take place New Year's Day at Lucas County Arena - the Kyle Cannon Benefit Game matching the Clay Eagles against the Anthony Wayne Generals at 1 p.m.

Before the game, the public is invited to take part in a public skate at the arena beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets for the event are $5 and include admission to the open skate and the game.

"I'm very good friends with the team manager from Anthony Wayne, Bruce Johnson, and the two of us were talking back in August and throwing some ideas around," Clay Team Manager John Utter said. "We contacted the Toledo Walleye, and they jumped on board immediately. And literally from that point on, it's taken on a life of its own."

While nearly every high school hockey team in the area has shown support for Kyle, along with several professional and club teams across the country, Mr. Utter said that Anthony Wayne has stood out from the pack.
"The entire Northwest Hockey Conference has been absolutely fantastic, but Anthony Wayne was the first high school to really put some fund-raisers together for Kyle," Mr. Utter said.

"They have pretty much led the charge in regard to fund-raisers for Kyle since the accident happened last November. It really made it a perfect fit for Clay and Anthony Wayne to play this game," he said.

As Anthony Wayne's coach for nine years, Dave Faulkner said he felt a responsibility for him and his program to do as much as they could for Kyle and his family.

"I can't imagine being a coach and having that happen," Mr. Faulkner said.

"It's just excruciating, so you feel a sense of responsibility to help out."

Both teams will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned during the game. Toledo Walleye and Detroit Red Wings memorabilia, including an autographed Gordie Howe jersey, also will be auctioned.

All proceeds from the game and the silent auction will go to the Kyle Cannon Fund. Donations also can be made at Waterford Bank in Sylvania or any Charter One Bank.

"The attendance record for a high school hockey game in Ohio is 3,992," Mr. Utter said, "and we're hoping to break that record. We're hoping to get over 4,000 people there. Our goal is 5,000."

Kyle Cannon's No. 3 Clay jersey will be retired in a ceremony before the game, the first such distinction in the program's history.