Plymouth Whalers to Receive Heroes of Breast Cancer Award

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Detroit will recognize the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers with its annual Heroes of Breast Cancer Awards in October.  The Whalers – along with 11 other individuals and businesses – will be honored at a private reception hosted by the Karmanos Cancer Institute to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Whalers will be recognized with the Philanthropy Award for an Organization. Details on the Whalers award and the 11 other Heroes will appear later in October on the Karmanos Cancer Institute site, www.karmanos.org.

“This award is given in recognition of the philanthropic leadership and support of Karmanos Cancer Institute’s research through the Whalers’ Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness events,” said Maureen Keenan Meldrum, Director, Breast Cancer Special Programs for the Karmanos Cancer Institute. “We are so proud to have the Plymouth Whalers join this remarkable group.”

“We thank the Karmanos Cancer Institute for the recognition and the award,” said Plymouth President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci.  “We share this award with everyone who makes our Pink Out! week special – our players, staff, corporate partners, and especially our fans.”

This season’s Whalers Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness will be held on Sat. Oct. 15 when Plymouth hosts Sarnia at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena.

As in past seasons, the Whalers players will dye their hair pink early during Pink Out! week (Oct. 10, 11 or 12) at the Lucky Hair Company, located at 45251 Cherry Hill Rd Canton.  Younger Whalers who attend high school at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park will have pink hair the rest of the week.  The team will also be participating in several events over the course of the week.  Specific events are in the planning stages and will be announced closer to Pink Out! week.

In addition, Plymouth will play in two games in pink hair before Oct. 15.  The Whalers play in Windsor on Oct. 13 and hosts Niagara on Oct. 14.  As in past Pink Out! campaigns, Plymouth will wear specially designed pink jerseys for the Oct. 15 game against Sarnia. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off for charity.

The Whalers Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness started in 2008 and grows in stature every year.   Last year’s “Coaches Campaign “ during the Pink Out! raised over $18,000 as Vellucci and Associate Coach Joe Stefan each dyed their hair pink and several Plymouth alumni – now playing in the National Hockey League – made cash donations.  In all, the Whalers have raised over $30,000 since starting the Pink Out!   Now, they are official Heroes.

What will Mike and the Whalers do this season during Pink Out week?  Stay tuned.

WHALERS WALK FOR BOBBY ON SUNDAY: The Whalers will be busy this week.

The Whalers start the regular season on Wednesday in Owen Sound against the Attack.  Plymouth plays the home opener on Saturday, against Erie at 7:05 p.m. at .

Both games will be broadcast on locally 88.1 FM WSDP and onwww.plymouthwhalers.com starting at 6:45pm on both evenings.

On Sunday, Sept. 25, the Whalers will re-connect with an old friend. The Whalers will be participating with Team We Do It! for Bobby in the Walk 'n' Roll for ALS at Kensington Metro Park from 10am-1pm.  You can get involved as well by clicking the link above.

If you are new to the Plymouth Whalers, the story of the relationship between the Whalers, former captain Chris Terry and Bobby Suvoy bears repeating.

Bobby Suvoy grew up as a Plymouth Whalers and London Knights fan.  He used to attend Whalers game regularly with his family.  But in 2008, Bobby grew sick with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and was confined to a wheelchair.  As the disease grew worse, Bobby was confined to bed.

Chris Terry was Bobby’s favorite player.  Terry found out about Bobby and the two became friends.

Late in the 2007-08 season, Bobby became sicker and asked if Chris could visit him on Sat. Mar. 15.  Problem was, the Whalers  played in Sault Ste. Marie the night before – a five-and-a-half to six-hour bus ride back to Plymouth in the middle of the night.

Suvoy hoped to attend Plymouth’s last home game against Sarnia in person, but couldn’t make the game.  So – with little sleep - Terry visited Suvoy the day of the game. Terry spent at least two hours with his friend, then came to the game.

The Schoolcraft College Sports Network - televising the game - found out about the visit and produced a quick tribute to Suvoy, showing Terry with a stick that said “Do It 4 Bobby.”  (See photo at the top of the story).

“There must have been 20 of us in the room with Bobby watching the game,” said Bobby Suvoy, Sr.  ” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when the broadcasters (Pete Krupsky and Sean Baligian) started talking about Chris and Bobby and they showed Chris with the stick.”  

Terry promised to score with the stick, but did not in a 5-4 Whalers loss.  But Terry made a profound, lasting connection.

Terry talks about his relationship with Bobby Suvoy and his involvement with the community when playing in Plymouth.

Terry continued to visit Suvoy over the final days of his life.  When Terry finished his season in Albany of the American Hockey League, he visited with members of Suvoy’s extended family from New Jersey on a night he was a healthy scratch for the River Rats.

Suvoy was also a London Knights fan and Bobby’s father was proud of the Knights’ jersey that became part of his son’s collection.

“Every member of the Knights signed the jersey,” Suvoy said.  “Along with the Whalers jersey, he cherished his London jersey, too.”

The Whalers haven’t forgotten the Suvoy family.  Over the last two years, the Suvoy family has participated in the annual Walk 'n Roll for ALS in memory of Bobby Suvoy.  Plymouth staff members attended the 2010 Walk ‘n Roll last season, walking with the Suvoy Family.  Terry remains in contact, as well.

So it make sense that the Whalers will participate in the walk with Team Suvoy at Kensington Metro Park this year on Sun. Sept. 25.  We hope the Whalers Extended Family gets involved, too.