Those impacted by cancer honored on Sabres warmup jerseys

Earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres hosted an online auction that allowed the fan with the winning bid to honor someone who has been impacted by cancer by having that person's name stitched on the back of a Hockey Fights Cancer warmup jersey.
Those jerseys will be worn tonight prior to the team's Hockey Fights Cancer game in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Faceoff against the Boston Bruins is set for 7 p.m.
Check out Buffalo's Hockey Fights Cancer resource page here.
The Sabres are proud to share the story of each person honored on the warmup jerseys.

Player: Jeremy DaviesName: Minnie Collins and Perpetua HoganFrom: William Hogan
Perpetua Hogan lost her battle to cancer last year after battling the disease for years. Her son William's wife Linda Collins also lost her mother to cancer. Minnie Collins passed away from cancer years ago when Linda was 16 years old. Every year the family gives back to cancer research organizations in hopes that others won't have to go through the same experience.

Player: Henri JokiharjuName: Edward Conroy, Frank Conroy, Gary ConroyFrom: Jeffrey Conroy
Jeffrey Conroy has spent his career trying to improve therapy options for cancer patients. Personally, he has seen the scourge on his own family with those who have succumbed to this terrible disease. The jersey will don the Conroy name in memory of Jeffrey's family members who have passed away from cancer.

Player: Peyton KrebsName: Linda and Robert SnyderFrom: Daniel Denault
Renee Snyder lost her mother, Linda, to breast cancer when she was in high school. Renee's father Robert is currently battling brain cancer. The jersey will honor both of Renee's parents.

Player: Lawrence PilutName: Dennis Eckert Sr.From: Danica Eckert
Dennis Eckert Sr. is a 68-year-old father of six, grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of one. Over the last 10 or so years, he has battled prostate cancer, melanoma and larynx cancer, the latter forcing him to undergo both chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Fortunately, as of 2017, Dennis is in remission and is currently cancer free. Now he spends his days watching Buffalo sports, telling (somewhat) funny jokes, eating whenever/whatever he wants and staying out of trouble.

Player: Kyle OkposoName: Chuck BarkhimerFrom: Alex Barkhimer
Chuck Barkhimer was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1994. His son, Alex, has been a Sabres fan since he was young and always looks to donate for Bald for Bucks, any Roswell Park initiative, Hockey Fights Cancer, etc., in honor of his late father. Last season was the first time Alex was able to attend a Hockey Fights Cancer game and fill out an "I Fight For" placard with his dad's name on it. Though Chuck wasn't a Sabres fan growing up, Alex knows seeing his father's name on the ice and holding up a placard again this season will make for a special night.

Player: Jack QuinnName: Geraldine Foster From: Zack Donner
Geraldine Foster was a loving mother of five. She was always an avid fan of Buffalo sports and pushed her kids to try new things. She was sick for a few years and battled cancer for the last two years of her life. No matter how sick she was (and she got really sick) or how much pain she was in, she never complained or made it about her. You wouldn't have even known she was sick until her physical appearance changed. She was a ray of sunshine and lit up every room she walked in.

Player: Mattias SamuelssonName: Chuck KwiatkowskiFrom: Molly Berlinski
A hero to his family, Chuck Kwiatkowski was a United States Marine Corps veteran known for his sense of humor and storytelling. Chuck had previously beaten throat cancer before receiving an AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) diagnosis in 2021. On his 85th birthday, he entered Roswell for several weeks of intensive treatment but unfortunately passed away during his treatments. Despite his diagnosis, Chuck always maintained a sense of humor and positive attitude. He was so brave, loving and caring throughout his entire life.

Player: Dylan CozensName: Marlene FaxlangerFrom: Joseph Faxlanger
Marlene Faxlanger is currently battling cancer and just finished her third round of chemotherapy. Marlene watches every Sabres game and loves the way the team is growing together. In her seventies now, Marlene keeps going no matter how rough things get. Her next big fight is November 16 when she is scheduled for surgery at Roswell Park. Marlene's toughness has carried a lot of folks through the years and been a great example for us.

Player: Owen PowerName: Melissa VargoFrom: Melissa Coder
Melissa Vargo was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021 and this year underwent 16 chemotherapy sessions to fight the disease. After beating the disease, she shifted her focus to helping other women battling cancer, focusing on mental health, positivity and a sense of community. Melissa participated in the Sabres head-shaving event on Nov. 1 and will drop the puck during the ceremonial faceoff on Hockey Fights Cancer night.

Player: Rasmus DahlinName: Michael Burdick, Pearl Burdick From: Andrea Burdick
Michael Burdick passed away on October 9, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was a United States Navy Veteran who loved his job as a submarine periscoper in the Navy. Michael was known for his upbeat personality and always having a smile on his face. Pearl Burdick is an avid Buffalo sports fan and breast cancer survivor who is now cancer free. Michael's family will find comfort in knowing that his name will be on the back of Dahlin's jersey as it will honor his memory.

Player: Vinnie HinostrozaName: Donna MartinucciFrom: Ryan Martinucci
Donna Martinucci is a loving mother and grandmother who has survived breast cancer twice. The first time she beat the disease was 20 years ago and the second time was within the last year. Donna has gone through a lot during the second diagnosis and, while she is cancer free, she still has to go to Roswell for appointments. Donna comes from a family of hockey players and Sabres fans so seeing her name on the ice will be a special moment for her family.

Player: Eric ComrieName: Keith HykawyFrom: Tim Hykawy
Keith Hykawy was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the summer of 2000. Originally, he wasn't given much of a chance to beat it but after a lengthy nine-hour surgery, the cancer was successfully removed. Keith underwent chemotherapy and to this date, remains cancer-free and in good health.

Player: Casey MittelstadtName: Karon DrewniakFrom: Joseph Faxlanger
Karon Drewniak is a lifelong Sabres fan who lives in Georgia. She is in a serious battle, having completed the first of 36 planned chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Karon has been active in charity work and has been a great role model for our kids. Despite tough odds, she is always positive and full of energy.

Player: Kale ClagueName: Jayda McIntyreFrom: Jacob Pray
Jacob Pray chose the name McIntyre in memory of his girlfriend. Jayda McIntyre was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in December of 2020. She underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy and ultimately a bone marrow transplant. Jayda spent many months at Roswell and throughout all of it, she kept her same sense of humor and positive personality. Ultimately, Jayda passed away at the age of 20 this past January due to complications of leukemia. Jayda never complained, always had that same smile on her face, and was the same loving and caring soul even up until her final day.

Player: Craig AndersonName: Dave and Anne BucherFrom: Kenneth Bucher
Kenneth Bucher and his siblings chose the last name Bucher to honor their parents. His mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and passed away in 2013. His dad was then diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2019, which was believed to come from his job as a firefighter. Thankfully, he is now in remission and doing well.

Player: Casey FitzgeraldName: Martin PlaceFrom: Kari Sasser
Martin Place was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 33 and had surgery to remove the cancer. He did not need chemotherapy or radiation treatments but unfortunately, is not able to have any children. Martin, who has been married to his wife for 15 years, lives every day to the fullest and has gained a new perspective on the value and length of life following his diagnosis.

Player: Ilya LyubushkinName: Judy RafterFrom: Brian Rafter
Judy Rafter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 20 years ago. She beat it and lived cancer-free for over 10 years. Unfortunately, the cancer eventually returned and she passed away following a three-year battle. Her family fondly regarded her as a saint, and chose the number 46 jersey because Judy was born in 1946.

Player: Jeff SkinnerName: Brett Ball From: Fritz Raiser
Brett Ball passed away in the summer of 2021 from colon cancer. His light lives on through his wife and two young daughters, Avery and Amber. He was a true friend and boned with those close to him through hockey. He loved the game and played whenever possible. Despite going through chemo or surgery, he was still always ready to play and hang out with friends, and even played six weeks after a bowel resection. Even when it was close to the end, as he battled, he put others in front of himself. His only ever Sabres jersey was a Jeff Skinner jersey, so it will be fitting to have Skinner wear Brett's name for warmups.

Player: Victor OlofssonName: Michael WinterFrom: Thomas Winter
Michael Winter, a Buffalo native who now spends summers in New Hampshire and winters in Florida, has always stayed true to his Buffalonian roots. Last year, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and cancer had metastasized to his liver and other parts of his body. After many sessions of chemotherapy and surgery, Michael is almost cancer free, but still has some hurdles to clear. Through everything, he has always been a loyal Sabres fan.

Player: Tage ThompsonName: Bill WardFrom: Darryl Ward
The name Ward is in honor of a United States Marine and veteran of the Vietnam War, Bill Ward. He battled pancreatic cancer for four years and had multiple surgeries and countless infusions before finally succumbing to the disease. While the Ward family would be proud for any Buffalo Sabre to wear his surname on their back for Hockey Fights Cancer Night, this number and player has special meaning. Bill's passing came during the seventy-second year of life, and Tage, who wear's No. 72, saw his wife, Rachel, battle cancer in 2019.

Player: Rasmus AsplundName: AsplundFrom: William Swantek
William Swantek works at the Madigan Army Medical Center's Breast Imaging/Mammography Clinic in Tacoma, Washington Dept of Radiology. A Western New York native, he joined the US Air Force in 1986 and spent 10 years dedicating his life to this country. Though he doesn't know any cancer survivors back in Buffalo, William knows several cancer survivors at Madigan Army Medical Center. He plans on presenting the jersey on behalf of all the cancer survivors at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Player: JJ PeterkaName: Sophia LaBordeFrom: Jeffrey Goldstein
In June 2022, 12-year-old Sopiha LaBorde was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, an extremely rare form of cancer in children. She completed her eighth round of chemotherapy at Roswell Park in October and is continuing in her fight. On Nov. 1, she took part in the Sabres head shaving event and helped shave the heads of Sabres players as a kickoff to Hockey Fights Cancer month.

Player: Jacob BrysonName: Joan FerroFrom: Phil Ferro
Despite a courageous fight after her diagnosis, Joan Ferro lost her battle and is no longer with us. Her son, Phil, thought that this would be a really neat tribute to her. Phil is a lifelong Sabres fan and his mother was always supportive of his love for the team. His plan is to arrive at the arena early for warmups to snap some photos of Jacob Bryson wearing the jersey, so that he can display them alongside the jersey when he returns home.

Player: Alex TuchName: Stanley KazukietasFrom: Steve Kazukietas
Stanley Kazukietas was a very strong, proud man who worked hard his entire life as an electrician. He was also a lifelong Sabres fan and spent lots of time watching games with his sons when they was young. Stanley passed away in 2011 at the age of 67 after a long battle with lung and bone cancer. Stanley was the type of man who was always there to help anyone who needed a hand. Sadly, he didn't get to spend much time his grandchildren, but he truly loved and cherished the time he was with them.