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July 28, 2010

Cancer claims Cardinals' Daoust

Member of 2001 NCAA hockey championship team was 34

By JOHN CORYER Staff Writer

PLATTSBURGH — Mike Daoust once scored a goal heard all around Division III hockey.

But the former Plattsburgh State skater will be remembered for much more than that.

Daoust lost his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma last Saturday at the age of 34. Hodgkin's lymphoma — formerly known as Hodgkin's disease — is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The disease occurrence shows two peaks: the first in young adulthood (ages 15-35) and the second in those over age 55.

"In the 1999 (NCAA Division III) quarterfinals, Mike scored the goal in double-overtime of the mini-game that ended Middlebury's five-year reign as national champion," said Plattsburgh State head coach Bob Emery. "It was a goal heard all around Division III hockey and it sent us into the Final Four.

"But, it was his quality of character that stood out even more than that goal. You could tell from the time he arrived here he had great parents and a great family.

"Of all the players we have had at Plattsburgh, Mike was the most thankful to play here and felt privileged. He would fill any role we needed of him and Cardinal Hockey has lost a great person."

Daoust, who taught seventh grade at St. Mary's Catholic School in Brockville, Ont., was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in March of 2008.

"Mike really liked it here," said Emery. "He graduated in 2001 and stayed two years working for The Champlain Telephone Company. He enjoyed coming back to our reunions.

"He battled the disease hard."

"Mike worked two summers at The Champlain Telephone and in that time he exhibited hard work, enthusiasm and a deep desire to do the right thing," said Trent Trahan. "He became a great friend with many of our employees and will always be a member of the company family.

"He will be missed."

Daoust, who scored nine goals and added 36 assists in a four-year playing career at Plattsburgh State that spanned 101 games, battled to the end and attended the wedding of his wife's (Kristen) brother on Saturday.

"Dogger fought wholeheartedly and persistently and was set to begin a new trial of medicine to fight the cancer he had," said former Plattsburgh State teammate Joe Russo. "He sadly and unfortunately didn't get the chance to start it.

"We have lost one of the best I have ever stood shoulders with."

Emery received a number of e-mails from Daoust's friends and former teammates, most notably Bryan Murray, Rob Retter and Mark Coletta who were integral parts of the Cardinals' Division III national championship team in 2000-01.

"Mike and I arrived as freshmen together at Plattsburgh," said Murray.

"I'm honored to have spent four years playing for the Cardinals with him. Most of my memories from those years include Mike. I'm glad to have shared the experience of winning everything in 2001 with him as we were finishing our time at Plattsburgh.

"Mike formed many long-lasting friendships with teammates, as well as the Plattsburgh community. He was a great guy and well liked by all who knew him. He was always quick with a smile, a word of encouragement and never afraid to have fun."

"Mike was the first guy I met on campus at Plattsburgh in the summer of 2000," said Retter. "He was the same genuine person that first day as he was all the days I was lucky enough to have known him.

"Always with a smile on his face and positive attitude towards life, he did not change his outlook even in his final months which were a battle."

Coletta combined with Daoust on the game-winning goal in the Middlebury playoff game.

"Mike was one of those true friends and teammates who always had time for everybody," he said. "Hockey aside, Mike loved to be with the boys, just hanging out and telling stories.

"The world has lost a great person — a gentleman if you will."

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