The Tommies wear a No. 2 sticker on their helmets and pray for him before every practice and game. The Gustavus Adolphus College hockey players gave Dan a signed stick, and the Gusties also wear a No. 2 sticker on their helmets. Gustavus junior defenseman Dave Murphy, a high school teammate and close friend, shaved his head when chemotherapy made Dan's hair disappear. The team at Totino-Grace wears the initials DVH on its uniforms. I thought, holy cow, is that ever nice.
Hockey is a small circle, and it's a close-knit circle, too.
In a Mariucci Arena locker room, Skrypek gathers his players shortly before a recent game with Bethel. Then they pray. After St. Thomas rallies for a 5-2 victory over Bethel, every player on both teams kneels at center ice for another prayer. Now I think everyone has kind of gotten used to the fact that this is how it is, and we're going to be there for Dan . The Tommies are indeed there for Van House , praying and visiting and presenting him with a puck every time they win.