CORNER BROOK Scott Delaney is quickly learning there’s more to hockey than scoring a pretty goal or finishing his check.
He is about to find out that some of his fiercest rivalries on the ice in AAA bantam hockey circles got his back in his time of need.
Delaney, a 14-year-old member of the Western AAA bantam hockey team, is undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s. He was diagnosed with the disease back in July and has been under doctor’s care since. He hasn’t skated with his team in his second year because of his condition, but his mother Elva Delaney says her son is determined to return to the ice this year. He has been courageous in his battle as he still travels with his team despite the obstacles in his way.
“Oh definitely. He’s getting prepared for the all-Newfoundland. He’s going,” Elva Delaney said Tuesday from the Janeway Children’s Hospital.
His mom never questioned the determination of her youngest son, but this journey to recovery has her beaming with pride.
“If we had the strength and courage he had we wouldn’t have a problem,” she said.
Tumour discovered
Scott encountered a spill during a track and field event in St. John’s on Canada Day. He complained about a sore rib so the first thought was that he had pulled a muscle. After telling his mom and dad (Craig) he was experiencing pain in his shoulders, his parents decided to have him checked out at the hospital. An X-ray revealed he had a tumour in his chest so a tube was placed in his chest and he was immediately airlifted to the Janeway the next day. He was diagnosed with the disease the following day.
The Stephenville Crossing family decided to move to Corner Brook in September for convenience sake with easy access to his pediatrician and to prepare for the batch of chemotherapy that would be coming his way. Making regular treks to St. John’s has been a heavy financial burden on the Delaneys, but the family is staying strong and the quiet teenager is expected to make a complete recovery once he has been through a maintenance program that is expected to begin next month.
Scott is hoping to be back on the ice to help Team Western compete in the five-team AAA bantam hockey circuit with Tri-Com, Tri-Pen, Central and St. John’s.
He wouldn’t want anyone to create any fuss over him, but that’s not stopping his teammates and opponents from digging in the trenches to help ease the financial burden placed on his family.
Randy Hennessey, team manager for the Tri-Com entry, is spearheading a fundraising campaign entitled Friends in Hockey. The project, which is serving as a team-building exercise for the Tri-Com squad, is focused on getting AAA bantam players on all five teams to join forces to raise money.
Players will be canvassing family and friends to support the cause. For every $25 a player raises they will have their name entered in a draw to win a number of signed jerseys donated by Newfoundlanders toiling in the National Hockey League. Colin Greening of the Ottawa Senators is one of the confirmed stars willing to lend a helping hand and organizers expect others to be added to the list in due course.
Elva Delaney struggled to keep her emotions in check when asked about the Friends in Hockey campaign.
“My dear I never cried so much in my life. I got to be honest with you. I was overwhelmed,” she said.
It’s a breath of fresh air for the family when they look at the reality of the situation. Randy Hennessey taking the lead role in doing something to support the family when he’s not even from the west coast has touched her, to say the least.
“He’s a complete stranger to me. I don’t even know him from Adam. For him to do this is unbelievable for me,” she said.
Anybody wishing to support the Friends in Hockey campaign on the local level can contact Team Western manager Tammy Gillam at 634-0875.
