Toba Centre

As hockey players become involved in their local community, they often form meaningful bonds with local charities. In the case of current Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry, that connection is with the Toba Centre for Children and Youth, based here in Winnipeg. This charity, in their own words, “provides a space where children and families can find comfort, healing, and access to the resources they need when they've been impacted by abuse.” But this story begins with a different Jets captain—one from the 1980–81 season: Scott Campbell. Campbell was selected first overall in the 1977 WHA Draft by the Houston Aeros, and 9th overall in the NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. The Guelph, Ontario native went on to play three seasons in the Manitoba capital with the original Jets including the final WHA season which saw his Winnipeg team win the Avco Cup. During the 1981–82 season, a chronic health condition forced him to leave Winnipeg and the prairie cold behind. He spent one more season playing professionally before retiring at just 25 years of age due to chronic asthma. In total, the big defenceman played 149 games in the WHA and 80 in the NHL. When the Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011, Scott embraced the 2.0 era. He was active on Twitter and even began writing a hockey column for the Winnipeg Free Press. I first met Scott's mom, Dianne Campbell-Scobie, when he brought her to Winnipeg for her first Jets 2.0 game back in January 2019 for her 85th birthday. She told me she was a big fan of Illegal Curve, and that instantly made me a huge fan of hers. We kept in touch over the years, and in September 2022, she sadly informed me that Scott had passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 65. A few years later, Dianne reached out with a special request: she wanted to facilitate a donation on behalf of Scott’s Estate to the charity supported by Jets captain Adam Lowry. When asked to share why Adam’s charity, she indicated: “Both Scott and I admired Adam Lowry for not only the way he played hockey but how he conducted himself off the ice.” As a teacher, Dianne is eloquent in her words. She shared the deep significance of making a donation in Scott’s name—one that would impact the community he once called home: “Although neither Scott nor Brian (her other son, who also passed away) had children of their own, they loved children. They would be proud that the first donations have been made to a charity where children and youth will have the opportunity to be heard, healed, and given hope for the future.” I asked the Jets captain what it meant to him to learn that Dianne had chosen to support the Toba Centre in Scott’s honour. “Obviously, it meant a lot. With the connection from Jets 1.0 to 2.0, and to have it made in Scott's honour—that certainly meant a lot. It helped bring more visibility to Toba Centre, and as the connections started to unravel, we learned more about Dianne. Christy’s father had worked with her other son, Brian. The connections—and how small a world it is—created an incredible full-circle moment. This donation is going to make a real impact, and Dianne's connection to Christy, to the Jets, and my role with Toba made it really special.” Christy, as Adam mentioned, is Christy Dzikowicz, CEO of the Toba Centre and a tireless advocate for the organization. As fate would have it, her father had hired Dianne’s other son, Brian who was a social worker, back in North Bay, Ontario—adding another layer of connection to this already touching story. When I met with Christy last summer, one thing she said stuck with me: “I'd love for Dianne to get a chance to drop a puck at a game.” Fast forward to today, and Christy’s wish has come true. Dianne will be dropping the puck at the Jets game in Winnipeg tomorrow night honouring the Toba Centre as part of the Jets Child Advocacy Night. Adam shared his thoughts on the upcoming moment: “It's a way to honour her and say thanks for her support. Have her come back to Winnipeg and be welcomed by all the Jets fans. I think it will be awesome.” As Dianne steps onto the ice, surrounded by the Jets community that embraced both her son and his legacy, I’m sure Scott will be there alongside her, in spirit, as she continues to honour him in the city that once cheered him on. To learn more about the Toba Centre or to make a donation here is a link to their site.

Legacy of late Winnipeg Jets captain lives on through current captain’s charity effort