Our dad, Dan Harding, was one of the most friendly, giant hearted, generous individuals you could imagine. He took a genuine interest in anything his children were interested in, but sports - hockey in particular - were his true passion. Dan believed that every kid deserved to have a chance to participate in sports if they wanted to, and was often a generous sponsor when it came to supporting children in their extracurricular endeavours. Watching his children, his children's friends, and all of their teammates play was a true joy in his life, and his support and pride radiated in every arena and stadium he stepped foot in.
In 2002, Dan began renting out an indoor hockey arena annually on December 23rd as a way for his children and their friends to gather and play hockey. The evening always ended in a large gathering for the kids and their families, as Dan believed that the feeling of community and family that organized sports can create was equally as important as the sport itself. The event has grown in numbers as the years have gone on, and last December, "Dan's Beers on Ice" (or "The DBOI"), as it was affectionately named by it's longest standing participants, saw it's 17th year.
Dan passed away in February of 2020 after a 14-year long battle with various health issues stemming from a stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis in 2006, and we wanted to find a way to honour this tradition and our dad's memory from this year forward. Unfortunately, Covid-19 will prevent us from celebrating "The DBOI" in it's traditional sense, so this year we are asking for your help! 2020 will be the inaugural year of "Dan's Kids on Ice", and while it's first year will have to be exclusively virtual, we are confident that we will raise enough money to make a difference.
Dan's generosity knew no limits in all things, but especially when it came to supporting kids through sports. As such, we thought it was only fitting to raise money for PRO Kids, a local charity that helps fund children in organized sports if their families are not in a financial position to do so.
We ask that you please consider donating any amount you can, or sharing this page if you are unable to do so, in honour of Dan the Man - everyone's biggest fan.
In 2002, Dan began renting out an indoor hockey arena annually on December 23rd as a way for his children and their friends to gather and play hockey. The evening always ended in a large gathering for the kids and their families, as Dan believed that the feeling of community and family that organized sports can create was equally as important as the sport itself. The event has grown in numbers as the years have gone on, and last December, "Dan's Beers on Ice" (or "The DBOI"), as it was affectionately named by it's longest standing participants, saw it's 17th year.
Dan passed away in February of 2020 after a 14-year long battle with various health issues stemming from a stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis in 2006, and we wanted to find a way to honour this tradition and our dad's memory from this year forward. Unfortunately, Covid-19 will prevent us from celebrating "The DBOI" in it's traditional sense, so this year we are asking for your help! 2020 will be the inaugural year of "Dan's Kids on Ice", and while it's first year will have to be exclusively virtual, we are confident that we will raise enough money to make a difference.
Dan's generosity knew no limits in all things, but especially when it came to supporting kids through sports. As such, we thought it was only fitting to raise money for PRO Kids, a local charity that helps fund children in organized sports if their families are not in a financial position to do so.
We ask that you please consider donating any amount you can, or sharing this page if you are unable to do so, in honour of Dan the Man - everyone's biggest fan.