Signature Events

SIGNATURE EVENTS

SWINGING INTO THE SEASON

SUMMER STICKS GOLF CLASSIC

On September 10, the Pittsburgh Penguins swung into the new hockey season during the Summer Sticks Golf Classic presented by UPMC. For the second straight season, the event was held at Topgolf where current Penguins players, alumni and coaches served as celebrity golfers in each bay. In total, $178,000 was raised, which funds scholarships for local students pursuing their higher education goals.

“You can’t go wrong when you’re golfing with Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin is next to you, Sidney on the other side and Mario walking around. We’re all having a good time, and it’s all for a great cause.”

Bill Garrison Summer Sticks Golfer

KIDS ARE THE FUTURE

FREE GAME FOR KIDS

To start the 2019.20 season, over 18,000 free tickets were distributed to local youth hockey organizations and children’s charities for the September 28 pre-season Penguins game dubbed the Free Game for Kids presented by Chick-fil-A. A team tradition since 2010, the Free Game for Kids gives our youngest fans an opportunity to attend a home game courtesy of the Penguins Foundation.

OUR ICE

During the Free Game for Kids, youth hockey players from around the region delivered ice shavings from their local rinks to PPG Paints Arena through Evoqua’s Our Ice initiative. Representatives from the Steel City Icebergs, Penguins Elite, RMU Island Colonials and Pittsburgh Blind Hockey poured out the shavings from the home rinks during intermission to show the connection between our hockey community and the Pittsburgh Penguins. In total, shavings from 23 different youth rinks were bonded to the ice of PPG Paints Arena.

“It’s awesome to see all the kids here… seeing the next generation of Penguins fans. That’s how you grow the sport.”

Jesse Zimmerman Penguins Fan

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS

6.6K RUN & FAMILY WALK

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Mario Lemieux Foundation hosted the 7th Annual 6.6K Run & Family Walk presented by Highmark on October 13. Approximately 5,500 runners and walkers participated in support of the two charities with the race beginning and ending at PPG Paints Arena. Once again, Mario Lemieux made the event memorable by congratulating fans at the finish line, and members of the Penguins Alumni Association assisted throughout the course route. In total, $200,000 was raised by our fittest fans to benefit the Penguins Foundation and Lemieux Foundation.

“I’ve been a huge Pens fan for as long as I can remember… I was a little kid watching the Pens. It’s just so cool to come out here and win a race for my favorite team and support all the great work that’s being done… Colby Armstrong was at the finish line, and he was amped up when I crossed. It was just so, so much fun.”

Andrew Zentgrag 6.6K Men’s 1st Place Overall

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER

Held throughout the month of November, the league-wide Hockey Fights Cancer initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This season, on November 16, the Penguins hosted their designated Hockey Fights Cancer gameday. Cancer patients and survivors from the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Oncology, Make-A-Wish Foundation and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center were special guests of the organization. To draw attention to the cause, the Penguins players warmed-up in purple jerseys and used purple stick-tape.

“It is very important for me. My mom actually had breast cancer a year and a half ago and she beat it so just seeing how strong she is and the support you need to go through something like that.”

Hannah Hatcher Lady Pens

Nearly $48,000 was raised through the Hockey Fights Cancer jersey and stick auction to benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center!

A PENS SALUTE

VETERANS CELEBRATION

On November 8, the Pittsburgh Penguins welcomed Veterans to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for morning practice and a locker room tour followed by the Penguins game at PPG Paints Arena the next day. The players wore military-style jerseys in support of the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania that evening on November 9, with over $15,000 raised to support our nation’s bravest. “It’s something really awesome that we do. These people put their lives on the line. They do so much for us and our country. It’s just a small gesture in comparison, but we’re happy to do it.“

Bryan Rust Pittsburgh Penguins

3… 2… 1

PENGUINS CHARITY GAME

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Mario Lemieux Foundation teamed up for the 9th Annual Penguins Charity Game on AT&T SportsNet on March 7 raising over $3 million for the two foundations in just one day. A total of 8,100 Penguins Charity Bags were available for sale both online and at the Penguins game. Each Penguins Charity Bag included team merchandise and memorabilia, as well as the chance-to-win an autographed jersey. Since 2012, this annual event has raised over $15 million, with proceeds benefiting the Mario Lemieux Foundation’s cancer research and patient care initiatives plus the Penguins Foundation’s youth programs.

Penguins Charity Bags were mailed to each state and province in the United States and Canada!

THE PENS DISCO

NIGHT OF ASSISTS

Each season, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation transforms PPG Paints Arena into the Night of Assists charity gala hosted by your Pittsburgh Penguins. This season, the hottest hits of the 1970s brought disco fever to PPG Paints Arena for the 3rd Annual Night of Assists proudly presented by Highmark. Pittsburgh’s foxiest ladies and coolest cats helped to raise $450,000 at the Pens party of the year for the Foundation’s youth and special needs programs.

“It is one of the best events we do, and it’s a unique event. Being here we get to see how passionate our fan base is. And the players enjoy it.”

Mike Sullivan Head Coach Pittsburgh Penguins

“This is important for us to do because we should support our fans and help raise money for the Penguins Foundation, which helps so many. It’s our responsibility.”

Jim Rutherford General Manager Pittsburgh Penguins