Three weeks ago I got an email from my friend Dave Drewiske, father of LA Kings' Davis Drewiske. The email talked about this year's version of the Drewiske 3-on-3 Youth Event, one that would benefit research for the Huntington's Disease Society of America.

Dave asked if we could publicize the event, which was easy. He also asked if WiPH wanted to join him at the event.

That was easier--of course we would.

And that is how, on the third Friday in July, that MJ and Lori Hammett would travel five hours from Janesville and my wife and I drove three hours in the rain from Port Edwards.

I wondered if the event would take place, as a large part of it is held outdoors. As if we were shown a sign, the weather cleared as we neared River Falls and things started to look up.

As we arrived at the Hudson Hockey Arena just after 5pm, we found a lonely, solitary tent outside the rink, but the problem was the people.

There were none.

Curiously, we wandered into the rink where we found all aspects of the event set up inside. But where was the ice?

Covering the concrete floor of HHA was a stage for a band, a pair of inflatable slides/houses, and a dozen or so tables with chairs set all around.

Soon I caught up with Davis, and he explained the change in plans.

"We've had this set up since about 10:00 this morning since we didn't know what the weather would be like."

It turns out the on-ice competition was taking place twenty yards to the east in the John Gornick Arena.

The chilly rink was a welcome change from the hothouse that was HHA. Multiple 3-on-3 games took place, with NHL stars offering encouragement and pointers to help the youngsters improve their games.

Back at HHA, other games were going on. The off-ice activities included a dodgeball match, which pitted the NHL players, a handful of players from Hudson, along with Hudson Coach Mike Stoskopf against the campers.

After a countdown from five, players from both sides of the rink charged and grabbed the dodgeballs and fired them at each other. If the youngsters thought the adults would go easy on them, they had another think coming. Matt Greene, Brian Elliott, Tommy Gilbert and others played as intensely as they do every night on NHL arenas around the country.

Greene came off a few times and chatted with us, a huge smile on his face and beads of sweat slicking his hair. He looked like a guy that was having more fun than the kids.

Near the boards, Bailey the LA Kings mascot was stationed next to Colorado goalie Elliott, as both whipped 60 MPH fastballs at the kids on the other side of the rink. A kid would whoop in glee as one of his shots took out an NHLer, only to erased himself two seconds later by an accurate shot from the other side.

In another part of the building, youngsters were working with the pros on the synthetic ice of Total Hockey, which is owned and operated by Dean and Pete Talafous. The Speed Ramp saw one player after another blazing up the incline in an effort to increase his or her skating speed.

On the benefit side, a silent auction included autographed photos, jerseys, and game-used sticks signed by several players. A 50/50 raffle gave some lucky winner a good return on his investment, which was for a very good cause.

Jake Dowell knows Huntington's Disease very well. His father John, is 55 years old and can no longer speak clearly and requires 24-hour care from wife Vicki. Jake's brother Lucas, 28, suffers from bipolar schizophrenia and lives in a group home in Eau Claire. Both men's illness is attributable to Huntington's.

Jake has a 50% chance of developing Huntington's, but does not wish to be tested at this time.

(See below for a two-part interview with Jake courtesy of The Hockey News.)

Adults jammed to the music of Dazy Head Mazy, a trio that played music reminiscent of Dave Matthews, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Sister Hazel. 

Bottom line, the event was a great opportunity for the young kids to meet their idols, and a nice way for Dowell's peers and friends to support him and his family's fight against Huntington's.

We had a great time at this worthwhile event and hope to attend again next year to help publicize and support it.

We also wish Jake and his family the best and have high hopes that someday this disease can be defeated.