Moore combines pingpong with paintings to benefit cancer research

Dominic Moore
hasn't let the restrictions related to COVID-19 keep him from doing his part to support Hockey Fights Cancer.

The free agent forward estimates his annual summer "Smashfest" pingpong tournament in Toronto, which features NHL players and other celebrities, has raised more than $1 million for charities like rare cancer research in its eight years of existence. With social distancing a priority during the pandemic, the 40-year-old knew he needed to find a different way to help the cause.
"This would have been our ninth year but obviously COVID kept us from having the tournament," said Moore, whose last NHL game was with the Maple Leafs in the 2017-18 season. "So I had to think outside the box a bit.
"I had an idea a couple of years ago where players would reveal their personalities in an interview, then we'd represent them through paintings on the top of pingpong tables depicting what is important to them. Then we'd reveal the tables to them once they were done and see their reactions."
"Since we couldn't hold Smashfest, this seemed like a good time to implement the idea."
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The concept has resulted in a series of 30-minute episodes called "Unveiled: By Smashfest." Episode 3, which features Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes, was released Saturday and can be seen on the NHL YouTube channel, IGTV and NHL Facebook.
"The paintings on the tabletops have been incredible so far," Moore said. "The players have been blown away by them."

The artistic tables are being raffled off to fans who can register for a chance to win their favorites at smashfest.ca with proceeds going to rare cancer research. The players receive replicas of their individual paintings as well.
The man turning the tables into pieces of art is Alex Bacon, a Toronto street artist. The two men met at Smashfest years ago and have been friends ever since.
"It's just super, super hard to even get tickets to a Maple Leafs game so having access to the players and hearing their stories and stuff is super, super awesome," Bacon said. "These guys are like gods here in Canada, and they're just totally cool individuals. I listen to their interviews, get an idea for a concept, take about three hours to paint, then we reveal it to them.
"I think the project's amazing, especially with what Dominic's doing."

To this point, the players have been quite amazed at how Bacon has converted their stories into detailed images on a pingpong table.
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner were the guests for the first episode of "Unveiled" in June.
Judging by their individual reactions for their respective table reveals, the idea was a hit from the get-go.
Marchand is a native of Nova Scotia and was very passionate in explaining his love of hunting. He was overwhelmed upon seeing for the first time the painting of a large buck with mountains in the background and his No. 63 off to the side.
"That is incredible," Marchand said, grinning ear to ear.
Marner's fascination with Greek mythology resulted in a table featuring the god Zeus. It was accompanied by the word "Family," a concept that is near and dear to his heart.
"That is wicked. That is insane," Marner said upon seeing the table for the first time.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and the Hughes brothers, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn and New Jersey Devils forward Jack, were equally as thrilled when their respective tables were revealed during Episode 2 in July.
While November is Hockey Fights Cancer Month, the battle against the disease is a 12-month-a-year project for Bacon and Moore.
"Cancer has affected probably almost every single family that I know," Bacon said. "It's affected my family. my mom's sister died of breast cancer. So if there's anything that I can do to bring some awareness I want to be part of it.
"I think what Dominic's doing is incredible."

Moore's first wife Katie died of cancer in January 2013.
"It's a disease that touches almost everyone one way or the other, whether they've gone through it or know someone that's had it," Moore said. "It's an ongoing fight and we need to be diligent about continuing to learn and study about things like rare cancers.
"The NHL has been a great partner for this project. I'm just glad in times of pandemic that we've found a way to keep helping."