This past Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 was Hockey Fights Cancer Night in the NHL. And one Oakville-raised hockey coach (and cancer survivor) got a special moment during a national TV broadcast.
At all arena's across the league, fans and players acknowledged those who are fighting, those who have fought, and those who have sadly passed from the diseases.
All fans and players were given signs that said "I Fight For" and they could fill in the blank with whoever they would like.
During the broadcast back in the CBC studios, former NHL defenceman and current Hockey Night in Canada analyst Kevin Bieksa chose Oakville's own Sudarshan Maharaj as someone he wants to fight for.
"A mix of heartbreak and hope.”
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 24, 2024
The panel shares who they are fighting for during #HockeyFightsCancer month. 💜 pic.twitter.com/yrVTW5BRY3
Sudarshan Maharaj or "Sudsie" as he is known in hockey circles, is a goaltending coach for the Anaheim Ducks.
Maharaj said in an interview that the name "Sudsie" was given to him as a kid because no one in his neighbourhood in Etobicoke could pronounce his last name so it got shortend to "Suds."
However, all hockey players need to have an "ie" at the end of their nickname so "Sudsie" was born.
In May of 2023, Sudsie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given a low chance of survival.
Due to this diagnosis, Sudsie was unable to work with the Ducks for the majority of the 2023-24 season as he was challenges such as surgeries and that removed his gallbladder and parts of his small intestines, pancreas and stomach.
Sudsie also had to endure 11 rounds of chemotherapy.
Nearly one whole year after his diagnosis, Sudsie was celebrating his 60th birthday and gave a special announcement to his friends and family.
Ring that bell, Sudsie!
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 6, 2024
Ducks goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj is cancer free! pic.twitter.com/qi35dAglgm
He was cancer free.
Maharaj rang the bell in front of his party with his wife at his side as they celebrated not only his birthday, but the incredible news that was cancer free.
Sudsie has re-joined the Anaheim Ducks and is trying to help his team make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.