On May 9th, late on a Saturday morning, Guy Schafer felt something was seriously wrong. Around 11 a.m., he drove himself to the hospital — a decision that ultimately saved his life. What he didn’t know at the time was that he was in the middle of a heart attack.
The emergency room was empty except for Guy and the admitting nurse, who immediately recognized the urgency. Moments later, an ER nurse stepped out to get him — someone Guy instantly recognized as one of his former university students. A small but powerful moment of connection in the middle of chaos.
They shocked his heart at the ER in Pulaski, and after several other stabilizing measures, the team determined he needed more advanced care. From there, everything moved fast. Guy was stabilized and life‑flighted by helicopter to Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville. Doctors placed three stents and told him he had been only minutes away from not making it. During his treatment, they also discovered he was Type 2 diabetic. Since then, Guy has been working hard to manage his insulin, adjust his diet, and keep his numbers strong — and thankfully, everything has been trending in the right direction.
Guy describes the experience as a series of “really cool little things” that lined up to save his life. The right people, the right timing, and a whole lot of grace.
A Lifelong Hockey Mind
Guy’s love for hockey started early — back when he was a kid watching games on a black‑and‑white TV. One particular matchup between Montreal and Boston hooked him for life. He didn’t know the teams yet, but he knew one thing: he loved the game. And from that moment on, he became a devoted Montreal Canadiens fan.
Born and raised in northern British Columbia, Guy moved to the United States in 1986 and has been deeply involved in the hockey world ever since. Today, he serves as:
- Announcer for the Huntsville Havoc (SPHL)
- Bandits Board Member
- Announcer for Slapstick Hockey
- On‑and‑off men’s league rec player, staying connected to the game not just behind the mic, but on the ice whenever life allows
His voice, his passion, and his presence have become staples in the hockey community.
Why Guy
Guy’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and the power of community — exactly what Dawg Nation is all about. His medical journey has brought unexpected challenges, but also clarity, renewed purpose, and a reminder of how quickly life can change. Alongside the physical recovery, the sudden medical bills and ongoing care have created real financial strain — something Guy speaks about humbly, never wanting to burden others, yet facing the reality that this experience has been life‑altering in more ways than one.
Even in the midst of all this, Guy stepped up as the host for our DAWG Nation Midwest Survivor Game on June 13th, bringing his passion and energy to an event that celebrates strength and second chances.
We’re proud to support Guy with a 3‑to‑1 match — every dollar donated will be tripled by DAWG Nation up to $2,500, for a maximum match of $7,500. Any amount raised beyond the match goes directly to Guy. While no event is scheduled at this time, we’re exploring possibilities and will share updates as plans develop.
Guy has spent decades lifting up others through hockey. Now, it’s our turn to lift him
