Latest news with #HalifaxMooseheads'
Global News
2 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer battling brain cancer: ‘I drew this card'
A well-known Halifax musician says he's remaining upbeat despite a sudden cancer diagnosis. Peter Baylis has been the Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer for more than a decade, and he's now hoping the community he's uplifted for years will help him in his new fight. 'Another door of your mind opens up when someone tells you, 'you have cancer,'' he said of his shocking diagnosis. Baylis, who is best known for his passionate renditions of the Canadian national anthem at Mooseheads' games, was diagnosed last month with a glioblastoma, an aggressive form or brain cancer. 'We are guaranteed nothing on this planet. Nothing at all,' he said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'If you look at it that way, metaphorically, and that deck of card is your life. I drew this card — you know, there it is.' Story continues below advertisement He says he's not letting this new obstacle take away his love for life. 'I will open my mind with a positive mindset that I'm going to grab this and I'm going to run through it with all my strength that I possibly can,' he said. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Baylis and his family, as he will be unable to work while undergoing chemotherapy. The team's president, Brian Urquhart, says Baylis is an integral part of the Halifax Mooseheads family and has brought a patriotic flair to the Scotiabank Centre for QMJHL games. 'Peter is a well-known anthem singer in junior hockey circles which is a little, it was not the norm, to be honest,' said Urquhart. 'It's something that he should be very proud of and we're certainly proud of to have him as part of our family.' Baylis hopes to help others dealing with glioblastoma as he goes through his treatment process, and also dreams of returning to a stage sooner rather than later. 'Because I feel very, very at home and at ease in that particular moment because I'm so darn proud of what I'm doing,' he said.
CBC
09-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
'Feels like my mom was in the building': For this Moosehead, Fight Cancer Night is personal
For the second straight season on the Halifax Mooseheads' annual Fight Cancer Night, Braeden MacPhee has found a way to honour his late mom. MacPhee's mom, Jolene Conway, died of cancer in April 2023 at the age of 46. MacPhee, a 20-year-old forward from Moncton, N.B., scored his team's first goal on Saturday night on the way to a 2-1 comeback win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. "It just kinda has some relief off the shoulders and it feels like my mom was in the building with me, which is always really special," he said. MacPhee also scored at last season's Fight Cancer Night game. The cancer night games raise funds and awareness for all types of cancer, and the purple jerseys players wear for the night are auctioned off. Halifax Mooseheads goalie Jacob Steinman, 20, joined the team last month in a trade. He said that while he's still getting to know his teammates, he knew what the game meant to MacPhee. "I know this night means the most, [it's] the biggest thing to him," said Steinman. "And just for him to score was just unbelievable to watch and especially just to win." The Mooseheads had a slow start, only getting their first shot on net about 15 minutes into the first period. The team was trailing 1-0 until MacPhee's goal with about one minute left in the second period gave the team a spark. MacPhee was named the first star of the game, earning a rousing ovation from an announced crowd of 8,300. His mother only told him and his younger brother about her cancer diagnosis a couple of months before her death. She wanted them to focus on sports. Her obituary noted Conway's passion for her kids' sporting activities. "She had a kind and generous heart and was always willing to help others," it said. "Her positive outlook on life and infectious smile will be deeply missed by all who knew her." MacPhee said his mom always told him to look at the bright side of things. "It's a missing part of my life, but she would want me to keep working hard, keep chasing after my dreams," he said. "And that's exactly what I'm gonna do."
