Big props to Ben Clymer

[TCsnipes9 0]

a friend of mine, (and many others all over MN) was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago. at one point, they told him he was cancer free, and able to return to his passion- the rink. about a few weeks later, he had pain in his knees, and as it turns out the cancer was back.

about two months ago, Ben Clymer heard about Ryans story, and offered to spend a day with Ryan. the Caps were in town and he got a hold of Ryan to see if he would be up to it. obviously being a MN hockey player, Ryan was more than pleased with the oportunity.

unfortunately Ryan died late friday night. without any notification of Ryan's death, Ben had heard the news. For Saturday nights game he wrote Ryans name on his stick, and It just so happened he scored that night. Ben called Ryans dad and told him "I am terribly sorry for your loss..but i wanted you to know that Ryan scored his first NHL goal tonight." Ben told him he would be sending the stick with Ryans name on it and the puck to his house.

i just wanted to give Ben the thanks not only from Ryans family, but the rest of the hockey community too. Obviously nothing can completely ease the pain of someones death, but I thought this was a great jesture. Makes me proud to be a hockey player.

if you have a similar story, please share.

[RadioGaGa 162]

a friend of mine, (and many others all over MN) was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago. at one point, they told him he was cancer free, and able to return to his passion- the rink. about a few weeks later, he had pain in his knees, and as it turns out the cancer was back.

about two months ago, Ben Clymer heard about Ryans story, and offered to spend a day with Ryan. the Caps were in town and he got a hold of Ryan to see if he would be up to it. obviously being a MN hockey player, Ryan was more than pleased with the oportunity.

unfortunately Ryan died late friday night. without any notification of Ryan's death, Ben had heard the news. For Saturday nights game he wrote Ryans name on his stick, and It just so happened he scored that night. Ben called Ryans dad and told him "I am terribly sorry for your loss..but i wanted you to know that Ryan scored his first NHL goal tonight." Ben told him he would be sending the stick with Ryans name on it and the puck to his house.

i just wanted to give Ben the thanks not only from Ryans family, but the rest of the hockey community too. Obviously nothing can completely ease the pain of someones death, but I thought this was a great jesture. Makes me proud to be a hockey player.

if you have a similar story, please share.

I don't have a personal story...but this one was very touching...I think I rememember it all.

Charlie Weiss visited a young Notre Dame fan who was very sick with Cancer early in the week, and told the boy that he could pick the first Offensive ND play. The boy wanted an offtackle run to the weak side (If I recall). Weiss said they would run that play first.

The boy died on the Thurs (or Early Fri) before the game. And ND started very very deep in their own end to start the game on Saturday...Weiss called the play that the boy had asked him to. One of his players looked at hime and said "We can't run that play down here" Weiss looked at him and said "I have to run that play". It gained a yard. I think he brought a Game ball to the boys mother afterward as well.

Stories like that one and your Ben Clymer story are everything that is right in big time sports.

[EBondo 233]

Wow, that was a touching story. Incredible amount of props to Ben Clymer.

[#96 0]

I like to hear stories like that. It makes me think that not all NHL guys are in it for the money. Some, hopefully most, actually care and want to give back. I don't think these guys know how much they can affect a fan's life. Just by a simple call, email, visit, whatever, it's a memory that will last.

I don't like when I see the players walk down the exit and kids put their hands out, and a player just keeps walking. In a loss, I kinda see it, but after a win? C'mon, your simple gesture will leave that kid a lifetime memory. I think some of the pros are snobs.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

a friend of mine, (and many others all over MN) was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago. at one point, they told him he was cancer free, and able to return to his passion- the rink. about a few weeks later, he had pain in his knees, and as it turns out the cancer was back.

about two months ago, Ben Clymer heard about Ryans story, and offered to spend a day with Ryan. the Caps were in town and he got a hold of Ryan to see if he would be up to it. obviously being a MN hockey player, Ryan was more than pleased with the oportunity.

unfortunately Ryan died late friday night. without any notification of Ryan's death, Ben had heard the news. For Saturday nights game he wrote Ryans name on his stick, and It just so happened he scored that night. Ben called Ryans dad and told him "I am terribly sorry for your loss..but i wanted you to know that Ryan scored his first NHL goal tonight." Ben told him he would be sending the stick with Ryans name on it and the puck to his house.

i just wanted to give Ben the thanks not only from Ryans family, but the rest of the hockey community too. Obviously nothing can completely ease the pain of someones death, but I thought this was a great jesture. Makes me proud to be a hockey player.

if you have a similar story, please share.

I don't have a personal story...but this one was very touching...I think I rememember it all.

Charlie Weiss visited a young Notre Dame fan who was very sick with Cancer early in the week, and told the boy that he could pick the first Offensive ND play. The boy wanted an offtackle run to the weak side (If I recall). Weiss said they would run that play first.

The boy died on the Thurs (or Early Fri) before the game. And ND started very very deep in their own end to start the game on Saturday...Weiss called the play that the boy had asked him to. One of his players looked at hime and said "We can't run that play down here" Weiss looked at him and said "I have to run that play". It gained a yard. I think he brought a Game ball to the boys mother afterward as well.

Stories like that one and your Ben Clymer story are everything that is right in big time sports.

A few months later the mother died, cancer as well.

[RadioGaGa 162]

A few months later the mother died, cancer as well.

Really? Cripes. I didn't know that.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Here is the Minn Star story, for those interested.

Ryan remained hopeful even as life ebbed away

Doug Grow, Star Tribune

Last update: December 04, 2006 – 10:29 PM

Ryan Shuman finally ran out of comebacks.

After nodding farewell to some of his buddies, his girlfriend and his family, the 17-year-old died Friday at his Eden Prairie home.

In the last 29 months of his life, Ryan attracted an extraordinary circle of friends as he battled rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of muscle cancer. He was befriended by singer Alanis Morissette. Traded wristbands with Lance Armstrong. Swapped yarns with scores of pro athletes. Shared his story with thousands on the website Caring Bridge. Appeared on televised spots for cancer causes. His story was told in the newspaper and on several local TV and radio stations.

What was special about Ryan is that though his life was filled with tragic downs and a few exhilarating ups, he always stayed the same. Upbeat. Funny. Inspiring. And hopeful, always hopeful.

For a few, brief months in the midst of all of this, there was reason for hope.

After the disease was diagnosed in September 2004, doctors were grim.

But to the joy of all, after heavy doses of chemo and radiation, Ryan was declared cancer-free in July 2005.

"They told us to break out the champagne," said Ryan's mother, Suzi.

Ecstatic, Ryan, whose weight had dropped from 165 to 119 pounds, geared up to return to hockey, the game he loved. His first step back to normalcy was a single, exhausting walk around a 400-meter track with other cancer survivors in a fundraising event in Eden Prairie.

He made it back to the rink. His considerable skills were coming along. There was going to be a spot for him on the Eden Prairie varsity. But after a preseason practice a year ago, he felt a pain in his knee.

The cancer, more aggressive than ever, was back.

Last spring, Ryan had a conversation that went like this:

"Things aren't going your way, Ryan," a doctor said.

"You mean I'm not going to live to 100?" Ryan asked.

"No," he was told.

"98, 99?" the ever-positive Ryan asked.

"No, more like nine more months," the doctor said.

Still, Ryan's parents say, his story is triumphant. They all were astounded by the goodness of so many. A rally a few weeks ago attracted more than 1,000 people and thrilled Ryan.

"We were never alone," said Ryan's father, Bob.

Even now, the sweet acts of kindness keep coming.

On Sunday, Bob received a message from Ben Clymer, a former University of Minnesota hockey player now with the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals. He had come to know Ryan and learned of Ryan's death before Washington's game Saturday.

Clymer put Ryan's name on his hockey stick and scored a goal. In his message, he said he was sending the stick and the puck to the Shumans. "Ryan's scored his first NHL goal," Clymer wrote.

Services will be at 6:30 tonight at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie.

The final entry, about Ryan's funeral, on the Caring Bridge website is aimed at his hockey pals: "If you are planning on attending and if you want to wear your jersey, please feel free to do so -- that is what Ryan would have wanted.

Doug Grow • dgrow@startribune.com

[KYHockey3 0]

A few months later the mother died, cancer as well.

Really? Cripes. I didn't know that.

yeah, when its reaired on espn they usually add that part at the end.

i am gald to see these pros take time out of their schedule to help someone. they really can change a kids life

[Sven 1]

Really touching story. Makes me feel happy abouy my life and makes me feel happy that there are still people who dont think of theirselves.

[Patrick67 1]

Great story.

[marc_9 0]

wow....great story

[Langenbrunner15 0]

I may be the only one..but reading stories like this...I get chills up my back..

[gotdangles16 0]

Ben Clymer is the man thats all i gotta say

[rwshockey55 0]

awesome story, ben clymer sounds like a great guy

[Fletch 219]

Sorry about your loss, Snipes......that was very cool of Clymer to do.