NHL and NHLPA invested more than $14 million in communities throughout 2023-24 regular season

NEW YORK/TORONTO (April 17, 2024) – As the 2023-24 regular season comes to a close, the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) highlight their ongoing pursuit, along with all 32 NHL Clubs, to make hockey more accessible and enjoyable for all fans.

This season, through numerous community impact programs and initiatives, more than $14 million was invested in cities across the U.S. and Canada. On the ice, more than 40,000 boys and girls, a record-number, tried hockey for the first time. In arenas, more than 350 in-game awareness nights were celebrated with fans. And in the locker room, the first-ever Leaguewide inclusion educational tour was completed.

Community investments, programs, and initiatives from the 2023-24 season include:

NHL Club Cultural Celebration and Awareness Nights

This season the NHL’s 32 Clubs held more than 350 cultural celebration and awareness nights, covering more than 30 unique themes. Celebrations recognized current players, Alumni, and fans of diverse backgrounds including Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, Black History, Hispanic Heritage, Indigenous and Native American Heritage, Jewish Heritage, and Ukrainian Heritage. Clubs also honored First Responders, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, Military, and Nurses. NHL Clubs celebrated Women’s History Month with home games dedicated to celebrating women in sports. And many NHL Clubs hosted a Kids Day, or ‘Next Generation’ game, with unique programming geared toward younger audiences.

All 32 Clubs hosted a Pride Night this season. Numerous NHL Clubs created specialty Pride jerseys or exclusive merchandise, and many NHL Players used Pride Tape to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. The NHL donated more than $50,000 this season to LGBTQ+ organizations including the Toronto Gay Hockey Association at the first-ever NHL All-Star Pride Cup presented by Scotiabank; the Seattle Pride Hockey Association to help launch a brand-new league in Seattle; and to Team Trans and the Madison Gay Hockey Association to support their annual Friendship Series Tournament. Donations were also made to Pride Tape, an NHL partner since the 2016-17 season, to provide rainbow hockey tape to various hockey tournaments including the Seattle Pride Classic, the Western Cup in Calgary, the Chelsea Challenge in New York, and the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Pride Week held in 10 arenas across the United Kingdom. Additionally, nearly 1,500…