Hockey Challenge 2020, the 22st annual Hockey Challenge took place on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at accesso ShoWare Center, and raised $200,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska (RMHC).

The annual Hockey Challenge has now raised over $6.6 million for the RMHC in 22 years.

Hockey teams are formed by sponsors that raise money to play in the Challenge. All proceeds from the Challenge directly support operations of the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home away from home for children and their families receiving medical treatment at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital, making each day a little easier. In fact, last year the Seattle Ronald McDonald House provided 27,943 nights of housing and services to 429 families.

There were seven games played during the Challenge on Saturday. The first five games were played by teams from various divisions at Microsoft, two women’s teams made up of local recreational league players, two teams put together by the grassroots group “NHLtoSeattle” and the NHL Seattle 32s, a team made up of current employees of the 32^nd NHL franchise. The T-Birds vs. Vancouver Giants game followed the five Challenge games and the event was capped off by the local Celebrity and T-Birds Alumni All-Star Game featuring Team Olczyk vs. Team  Patterson.

“Every year, we are so inspired by the way the hockey community comes together to support the Ronald McDonald House,” said Vanessa Kirk Briley, Director of Special Events at RMHC. “We are so grateful to everyone who makes this event such a success: the Thunderbirds, the players, the sponsors, the attendees, and the volunteers. Because of the efforts of all these groups, families can count on having a comfortable and supportive environment during their treatment.”

“It was great to see the Challenge teams work together to support RMHC and we are very pleased we were able to raise $200,000 for RMHC,” said Colin Campbell, T-Birds Vice-President.  “The Challenge is such an important annual event for us and RMHC. We would not be able to raise the money we have without the support of our awesome fans, partners, T-Birds and accesso ShoWare Center staffs, volunteers, and alumni.”

A ticket to the Hockey Challenge gives fans access to all Challenge events on the day of the Challenge. Events include the Celebrity Game, all other Challenge games and the T-Birds game that night.

Celebrities that have appeared in previous Hockey Challenge Celebrity All-Star Games include: Glen Goodall (T-Bird legend), Steve Konowalchuk (former NHL player & T-Birds head coach), Steve The Producer (BJ Shea Experience on 99.9 FM KISW), Kiefer Sutherland (24), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Jason Thompson (General Hospital), Brian Basset (cartoonist of “Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Kelly Tysland (formerly Kelly Stephens 2006 U.S. Women’s Olympic hockey bronze medalist), Dan Wilson (former Seattle Mariner) Bill Wixey (KCPQ news anchor), Ian Furness (KJR 950 AM Host), Paul Silvi (KING sports anchor), Dennis Bounds (KING news anchor), John Langeler (KING news reporter), Aaron Levine (KCPQ sports director), Christie Johnson (KING 5 morning news reporter), Paul Guilfoyle (CSI) and Cameron Bancroft (24: Day 4, Hockeyville on CBC).

T-Birds alumni that have appeared include Glen Goodall, Steve Konowalchuk, Tyler Willis, Mark Parrish, Brendan Witt, Chris Wells, Jamie Huscroft, Al Kinisky, Turner Stevenson, Pat Smith, Regan Mueller, Troy Hyatt, Danny Lorenz, Jim McTaggart, Blake Knox, Brett Duncan, Ryan Gibbons and Lloyd Shaw.

Over the past 22 years the Hockey Challenge has raised over $6.6 million for the Seattle Ronald McDonald House. Find out more about the Seattle Ronald McDonald House.