 After complaining of stomach pains for several days , Breslin was taken to a hospital on Thanksgiving of 2004 . There he was diagnosed with <unk> cancer and underwent surgery . He died eleven weeks later on February 9 , 2005 due to complications from the cancer . The Wolves honored Breslin by wearing a helmet sticker shaped like a shamrock with his initials inside of it for the 2004 – 05 season . As a way of helping his family financially , the Wolves and Chicago Blackhawks put on a charity game called the " Breslin Cup " . The game featured 40 players , most of whom were former players from the two franchises . All the proceeds from the game went to a trust set up for the family . The game drew around 10 @,@ 000 fans , with the Wolves ' alumni defeating the Blackhawks ' alums in a shootout . The Breslin Cup and associated events raised over $ 250 @,@ 000 for the family . 
