MOORE’S ‘QUIRKY’ FUNDRAISER HAS BEEN SMASH HIT
Leafs player’s ping-pong tourney provides support for cancer, concussion research
Dominic Moore’s Smashfest ping-pong tourney was a “quirky idea” seven years ago, said the founder.
But it has blossomed into more than $700,000 raised for research into rare cancers and concussions, the latter of obvious interest for today’s NHLers.
On Wednesday night, with more than 20 players at the tables along with appreciative fans at the Steam Whistle brewery in Toronto, Moore had more progress to report. The Steve Moore Foundation, created after his brother’s career was ended by concussion and a neck injury, has joined forces with the Robarts Research Institute at Western University in London, Ont.
“They’re working on a natural brain protein,” Dominic Moore said of tau, which has essential functions in maintaining the health and structure of brain cells.
“In things such as traumatic brain injury and dementia, this protein is in some way important. We’re going to explore this at the molecular level with some of the world’s best researchers. The biggest thing for us is that we’re supporting collaborative research.”
Last year, the emphasis was on using Smashfest proceeds for cancer research and while his Maple Leafs were in Boston during the playoffs, Moore stopped in to see the collaborative work at the Broad Institute lab in Boston.
“It’s amazing. The state-ofthe-art project we started not so long ago is already starting to bear fruit. It’s a pilot project, a model for other projects, and we’re hoping that the concussion (research) will be the same.”
WEST COAST SHAKEUP
It will be quite an adjustment for the Vancouver Canucks next month at training camp: no Henrik and Daniel Sedin on the ice, no Trevor Linden in the executive suite and interesting freeagent additions in costly Stanley Cup champion Jay Beagle and ex-Bruin Tim Schaller.
For Canucks such as forward Sam Gagner, there’s a lot of growing up to do with the Sedins gone.
“When you get a chance to be with them on a daily basis, see how hard they work and how they go about their business, they’re just real leaders. It’s something you can’t really replace, it’s going to have to be done by committee.”
Gagner said the departure of Linden “came out of the blue,” though debate keeps raging outside the organization that the team president was caught in a power struggle.
“He’s meant a lot to the franchise as a player and executive and we’ll miss him in that role,” Gagner said. “But we have a lot of good people in our management group. As players, we don’t worry about that, we just go out and play hockey.”
Gagner thinks Calder Trophy finalist Brock Boeser and the new players can lift the team.
“(Beagle and Schaller) bring a lot of character. The way we’re trying to play — fast-paced, in-your-face kind of hockey — they’ll fit in really well. Hopefully we get off to a good start.”
Expect to see more of Roberto Luongo when he reaches 40 next season.
Florida Panthers goalie coach Robb Tallas told the team’s weekly podcast that after a heart to heart with Luongo in an injury-marred 2017-18 that both men knew slowing down is not in the latter’s DNA. When healthy, Luongo maintained a .929 save percentage in 35 games.
“Next year, he needs to play the same way he did at 18 or 19 coming into this league,” Tallas said of the 1,001-game warhorse “If he’s 39, 40 or 41, he needs two, three four games in a row. That’s when you get the best of Roberto. You don’t want to go out any other way. Obviously with back-to-backs and little injures we’ll have to give him time (to rest).”
Starting his 10th year as a Panthers coach, Tallas is not surprised today’s NHL broadcasting ranks are still made up of so many No. 2 netminders.
“We’re either back there seeing the game come to us or, when not playing, we’re hearing the coach, the forwards and getting a broader (picture). The game comes a little easier to (No. 1 goalies) with natural talent. They don’t have to break down a save, they just do it and can’t understand when someone else can’t. Those guys are probably better off in management and they leave the coaching to us.”
LOU TIMES TWO
Ex-Leaf Matt Martin deeply appreciates general manager Lou Lamoriello acquiring him a second time — he’ll play this coming
It’s amazing. The state-ofthe-art project we started not so long ago is already starting to bear fruit. DOMINIC MOORE
season with his original team, the New York Islanders.
“Lou’s a loyal guy,” Martin said. “Things didn’t work out the way I wanted in Toronto, but he still has a lot of faith in me as a player and a person. I look forward to proving him right on the island, getting back on track not only for myself, but that team as well. Hopefully we have the opportunity to surprise a lot of people.”
ICE CHIPS
Centre William Karlsson and the Vegas Golden Knights have yet to reach a deal as a Saturday arbitration hearing looms. Karlsson and the team’s stunning success in 2017-18 have a lot people tuned in to the result, though any salary cap hit the team might take would only be for two years under arbitration rules versus their current stance not to meet Karlsson’s desired long-term contract request ... Doug Gilmour on how the Leafs should deploy Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Nazem Kadri at centre: “throw the bait out there and see what they do. It’s a good problem to have.” ... A renovation of KeyArena in Seattle will increase square footage and expand hockey seating to 17,400 for a projected NHL team.