Movember means a lot to Raiders D Dea, raised over $1,000

The Raiders are the top ranked hockey team in the CHL network, having raised $2,403 so far and Dea is a big reason why. He’s raised $1,070 by himself and is the top player fundraiser in the WHL and second player in the CHL behind only Connor Burgess of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves.

“My family and friends have been real great supporters,” said Dea. “The awareness is there. When I started it, my entire family, cousins, aunts and uncles got on board right away. They’ve been tremendous supporters in this entire process, even a couple of my friends have gone on board, too.

“It really is all thanks to them for everything they’ve done.”

Before Thursday’s practice, Dea was happy to talk about both his grandpa Mike and aunt Chris, and how much both meant to him.

“(Mike) himself was a football and basketball coach, so he understands the sports side of things. He’s always been there for me, for my dad and for everybody,” said Dea. “To see him going through this is tough; you never want to see this.

“(Chris) was a teacher and a tremendous person. She was great with her kids, she always wanted to be around them and she was like a second mom to me. She was really important and special to me,” added Dea. “That was a tough time, not only in my life, but my family’s. Cancer is just something that we as whole need to try to beat.

“If I can just help out in general for anything cancer-wise, that’s what I’m going to do.”

He’s not the only Raider that has gotten on board with Movember so far, as goaltender Cole Cheveldave has raised $625, the second highest total raised by a WHL player behind only teammate day, and fourth among CHL players.

“This is huge for me, men’s health is huge. I lost my grandpa on my mom’s side last year, in 2003 I lost my other grandpa,” said Cheveldave. “It’s great to create awareness for men’s health and getting guys checked out on a regular basis.

“You got to stay healthy and know what’s going on with your body.”

Although the cause means a lot to Cheveldave, it’s also a time for him and the rest of the team to have fun. Through his trademark stubble, Cheveldave is sporting a handlebar moustache that many around the team believe is the best. Cheveldave pointed out that fellow 20-year-old MacKenzie Johnston’s handlebar is also very impressive.

But not everybody on the team is sporting lip hair that can rival Hulk Hogan or Chuck Norris.

“Our 16-year-olds (Matteo Gennaro, Brendan Guhle and Nick McBride) have peach fuzz but the worst looking ‘stache, and he’s being growing it for a while now, is Carson Perreaux’s,” said a chuckling Cheveldave. “He couldn’t grow a mustache within a month, so I think the guys have given him some leniency and let him keep the mustache he’s been working on for probably six months already.”

If you would like to donate, click here to visit the Prince Albert Raiders official Movember page and to donate to Dea, Cheveldave or any of the other 11 participating members of the team.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Movember means a lot to Raiders D Dea, raised over $1,000

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