Time to Help Bill Newman

Hello, everyone. We are Daelyn and Connor Newman, and many of you know our dad, Newman, from the rink. Most of you know him from numerous leagues such as the OSHL, EOSHL, Relm Sports, OMHA, OHA, OWHA, PWHL, AHL (Belleville Senators), GMHL and Klevr. He’s the referee, convener, play by play guy who has dedicated countless hours to charity events, always giving back to the community. Now, it’s our turn to rally around him in his time of need.

This is an incredibly frightening moment for our family. Our dad, who is usually so strong and rarely gets sick, faced a shocking health scare during a hockey game on October 19, 2024 in the Deseronto Bulldogs vs North Frontenac Phantoms game in the EOSHL. He began experiencing chest pains on the ice but, true to his stubborn nature, finished the game and went home. The next day, he returned to play for his beloved team (Dekes of Hazzard) but had to leave halfway through due to shortness of breath.

After a series of tests, we received the news we dreaded: our dad’s aortic valve is on the verge of rupture—a “ticking time bomb.” ***PLEASE SEE UPDATE *** Thankfully, it was caught in time, but now we must prepare for what lies ahead. Doctors believe he may have suffered a mini heart attack on the ice, or was on the brink of a major one when he arrived at the hospital. That set this whole tidal wave going.

He will be traveling from Belleville to Kingston for open-heart surgery to replace the valve, which we hope will help him get back on his feet. ***PLEASE SEE UPDATE *** The road to recovery will be long and challenging, and he needs our support now more than ever. While his employer, edjuster, has been incredibly supportive, his rehabilitation will require more than we initially anticipated.

To add to this health scare..... my dad has to give up his passion for hockey. Going forward he has to hang up his skates, no hockey and no more refereeing, he hasn't looked that far ahead, I'm sure he will find something to do in hockey....

We know our dad would never ask for help, so we are reaching out on his behalf. Any support you can offer, whether it’s a kind word, a message of encouragement, or a donation, would mean the world to us. He will be out of commission for a while, but we promise to share all your messages with him, whether through social media or text.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please send all your good vibes his way—he truly needs them now.