Stars support Dave Strader, Hockey Fights Cancer

DALLAS -- Trevor Strader knew his father would be honored Saturday, but he didn't realize how 'incredible' it would be when the Dallas Stars hosted Hockey Fights Cancer night at American Airlines Center.
Dave Strader, the longtime NHL play-by-play announcer who joined the Stars broadcast team last season, has cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that attacks the bile duct.

Wearing a Hockey Fights Cancer lavender Stars warmup jersey with No. 1 on the back, Trevor Strader sang the national anthem and dropped the puck for a ceremonial faceoff before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Then he watched during the game when the Stars repeatedly displayed their support for his father.
"Tonight, it's a little overwhelming. I didn't know it would be so amazingly focused on him," Trevor said. "It's just been incredible to feel that. And it's quite literally been felt by him and my mom. So, it's amazing."

Dallas will wear helmet stickers with a microphone and the initials "DS" for the rest of the season. Multiple video messages from Stars players and broadcasters from around the League sending thoughts of encouragement were played during the game.
Trevor Strader said he knew his father was watching at home and that the odds were pretty good he was charting stats and taking notes as if he was calling the play-by-play.
"He is still doing stats and still keeping his mind on watching all the games," he said. "[It is a] sense of normality and what he loves to do. This isn't going to stop him from what he loves to do."
Although Dave Strader made a name for himself using his voice as a hockey announcer, Trevor, an artist and actor in New York City, said he got a bit of his singing talent from his father.
"He does Beatles covers, if you ever see him at a wedding," Trevor said. "'Lady Madonna' and 'Back in the U.S.S.R' by Dave Strader are wedding hits. You have to be there to believe it."

Since he couldn't attend the game, Dave Strader recorded a message that was played in the arena during the first period. He thanked the Stars organization and fans, who embraced the broadcaster after he became the full-time play-by-play announcer in Dallas last season.
"With the love you've shown me and my family over these past three months, it feels like we've been together for a lifetime," Dave Strader said in the video. "I will keep fighting the fight every day. I want to get back in the booth.
"I love you all and I'll see you very soon."
NHL teams are wearing lavender jerseys for warmups that will be auctioned in support of Hockey Fights Cancer.