MOVEMBER GAME DEDICATED TO JOHN MACLEAN JR.

The RiverHawks game on November 26 was dedicated to John Maclean Jr. The Movember game is held annually to increase awareness of men’s cancer. The RiverHawks wear special blue sweaters for this game only. The sweaters are then auctioned off at the end of the game. The proceeds from this year’s auction were donated to the JMAC Memorial Fund.

The ceremonial opening face-off was taken by John & Josie Maclean (see photo).

John MacLean Jr. loved everything hockey. Talking, writing, drawing and most of all playing. From the age of four he played travel “AAA”, right up to his 4 year stint with Junior B Canucks. When he was 15, he was called up to play a game with the Junior “C” RiverHawks. That was a very happy night at the MacLean’s home. Johnny was a very kind and compassionate young man, always willing to give of himself and his time. Little did he know so many friends , family and many who did not know him personally would be wearing his #27 printed on t-shirts, shorts, hockey jerseys, hats, jackets and socks.

During his 30th year, John married in the summer of 2010. He succumbed to the malignant melanoma 10 months later. Johnny’s optimistic outlook so characteristic of him, helped him bravely battle the cancer through 2 1/2 years, until the age of 31.

Soon after his death, a The JMAC Memorial Fund was established as a charity, to receive sympathy donations at the funeral home. Along with the proceeds from an annual Spring Hockey Tournament in honour of Johnny (everyone wears #27 on their jerseys), various organizations in the city received monetary gifts in John’s memory. There is now an Autumn Ball Hockey Tournament. Johnny’s family, every September, participates in the Terry Fox Walk, having raised over $63,000 in 12 years.