Nazem Kadri is turning into one of the better pests in hockey. He thrives on being a villain and creating controversy out on the ice. Off the ice? He’s a much more endearing person.
Kadri kick started the Nazem Kadri Foundation, and their goal is to “make a positive change by working in partnership with local Canadian organizations to raise awareness and funding to support causes. The Nazem Kadri foundation is a proud supporter of local Canadian charities and strives to give back to the community by raising awareness and funding to aid important causes.”
To date, the foundation has raised over $1.3 million for charities in Toronto and London. They started a relief fund to aid the victims of hurricane Harvey living in and around the city of Houston. Kadri announced that he’d be putting together a Facebook contest with the winner winning a pair of tickets to watch the Leafs take on the New York Rangers in the club’s home opener.
Guelph native Emily McIntosh was chosen as the winner, which had over 3,700 shares on Facebook. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor back in February and is receiving treatment in Toronto.
Following the Leafs big 8-5 win over the New York Rangers, McIntosh, who’s an avid Leafs fan, had the chance to meet Kadri in what was a pretty emotional moment.
“I play a professional sport and if I have not scored in four or five games, it’s a stressful time for me,” Kadri said. “But that is nothing compared to what these people deal with on a regular basis and for her to be able to fight and battle like that like a true soldier means a lot," Kadri explained to TSN reporter Mark Masters.
Kadri lost his uncle, Mohamed Nazem, to bring brain cancer, and writes his MNK initials every game on his stick, so you can see how Emily’s story had such an impact on the Leafs centre.
Good on Naz for giving Emily a night she’ll never forget. You can find out more information about the foundation below.
