Woodall steps up big time for cancer research
Windsor Spitfires rookie defenceman Carson Woodall is hoping that what started as a gift for teammates and friends can be so much more.
On Sunday, the 17-year-old Woodall and the Spitfires announced the launch of `Woody's Hoodies' that will help support cancer research in the area.
“For me, my grandma (Deborah O'brien) recently passed away from breast cancer and my other nana (Carol Woodall) has ovarian cancer, pretty serious right now, so I'm just trying to do my part,” said Woodall, who is from Belle River. “Me and my dad (Scott Woodall) created these Woody's Hoodies and we think we can sell them to raise money for cancer awareness.”
Woodall and his dad used the hoodies back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to foster unity and camaraderie on and off the ice when he was playing minor hockey with the Toronto Marlboros. He continued the tradition after being drafted by Windsor and playing last season with the Lasalle Vipers and again this year when he joined the Spitfires.
“We handed them out as gifts for Christmas for teams that I've play on the last three years,” Woodall said. “For my Marlboros team, my Vipers team and then the Spits here this year, everybody got them for Christmas. All the boys loved the hoodies.”
But with his grandmother passing in the summer, Woodall thought there might be something more the hoodies could do.
“After my grandma passed away, we thought it would be a good idea to sell these with the goal to raise money for cancer awareness,” Woodall said. “I think I'm learning a lot from this and the Spitfires have a great platform and our fans are amazing. So, I think I can use my platform to do something good for the community.
“All the money's going stay local in Windsor to help people around here and all these amazing fans that come out every night, I'm hoping they can help.”
The hoodies will be on sale at www.woodyshoodies.ca and start at $59 with T-shirts and baseball caps also for sale. The hope is to eventually move them into the Spitfires' pro shop at the WFCU Centre for sale. As well, in partnership with Play For A Cure tournament, the hoodies will also be available at next month's event.
“We were originally planning in October, which is breast cancer awareness month, and my grandma passed away in June,” Woodall said. “We were planning to do something in October and the season's been busy and (things) kept getting pushed back.