Avalanche's Devon Toews Invests $5 Million in Freedom Service Dogs, Bringing New Hope to Veterans and People with Disabilities
In a remarkable act of compassion, hockey star Devon Toews has invested $5 million into Freedom Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs and training them as service animals for people with disabilities, including military veterans and children in need.
Founded with a mission to transform lives, Freedom Service Dogs not only saves canines from shelters but also turns them into life-changing companions who provide both physical assistance and emotional healing. Toews’ significant financial contribution has quickly drawn attention across the sports community and beyond, as many see it as a shining example of how athletes can leverage their success to create lasting social impact.
“For me, this is more than just an investment. It’s a long-term commitment to making real change for those who need it most,” Toews said at a press briefing. He emphasized his belief in the unique healing power of animals, particularly for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress and for children growing up with physical or developmental challenges.
The $5 million investment will allow Freedom Service Dogs to expand its training facilities, hire more specialists, and enhance its customized training programs. According to estimates, this funding could support the training of hundreds of service dogs over the next several years, giving countless individuals the opportunity to access the life-changing support these animals provide.
Toews’ decision highlights a growing movement among athletes and public figures who are using their platforms and resources to champion humanitarian causes. At a time when many nonprofits face financial hurdles, his contribution brings renewed hope not only to the organization itself but also to the people and families who will benefit directly from its work.
Beyond the financial support, Toews’ involvement sends a powerful message: sports are not solely about victories, championships, or personal accolades. They can also serve as a platform to inspire positive change and strengthen communities.
By backing Freedom Service Dogs, Toews is helping rewrite the narrative for abandoned animals and the people whose lives they will transform. His $5 million investment ensures that hundreds of veterans, children, and individuals with disabilities will not face their struggles alone but will instead find companionship, confidence, and healing through the loyalty of a trained service dog.
This is more than philanthropy — it’s a commitment to creating lasting hope and dignity for those who need it most.
Jack Roslovic Could Be the Shocking Answer to Replace Mitch Marner in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down one of the most turbulent offseasons in franchise history, and the whispers surrounding their next big move are enough to make fans’ jaws drop. With Mitch Marner’s departure leaving a gaping hole in the team’s offensive firepower, insiders now suggest that Jack Roslovic could emerge as the most shocking and controversial solution to the Maple Leafs’ problem.
At first glance, Roslovic may not seem like the obvious answer. He’s not the elite playmaker that Marner was, and he doesn’t carry the same superstar weight. But what Roslovic does bring is grit, speed, and the ability to create plays under pressure — the very qualities Toronto has lacked in the postseason for years. In a hockey market that craves heroes and vilifies underperformers, Roslovic’s potential arrival feels less like a safe gamble and more like a high-stakes, all-or-nothing bet.
The Leafs have been notorious for clinging to their “Core Four,” but with Marner gone, the team no longer has that luxury. Fans are demanding change, and management knows standing still would be career suicide. Roslovic, a free agent with something to prove, could slide into a top-six role and immediately inject a sense of unpredictability into Toronto’s forward group. If he delivers, he might just rewrite his career narrative — and save the Leafs from yet another year of bitter disappointment.
But make no mistake: this move would not come without backlash. Critics argue that Roslovic is inconsistent, a streaky forward who disappears when the stakes are highest. Replacing one of the most polarizing yet productive Leafs of the last decade with a player still searching for his true identity is a risk that could either electrify the franchise or implode spectacularly.
Leafs Nation is divided. Some see Roslovic as a bold, fearless signing that signals the franchise is ready to embrace a new era. Others view it as yet another desperate reach by a team cursed with mediocrity. Regardless of the opinion, one thing is clear: if Toronto brings in Jack Roslovic to replace Mitch Marner, it will be the most explosive storyline of the 2025–26 NHL season.
For a franchise that has built a reputation on heartbreak, the Leafs may finally be ready to shock the world — or break it all over again.