Player Initiatives

A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

PROJECT BUNDLE-UP

The Pittsburgh Penguins spent the afternoon of November 1 shopping with children from Beaver Falls School District through the Salvation Army’s Project Bundle-Up program. Each little fan was paired with one of their hockey idols to peruse the store in search of the warmest winter accessories. Jackets, hats, mittens and more were selected by the kids and gifted by the team making for a memorable and personal Penguins shopping day at DICK’S Sporting Goods.

RAINBOW KITCHEN MEAL SERVE

American-born players Zach Aston-Reese, Jake Guentzel, Sam Lafferty, John Marino, Chad Ruhwedel and Bryan Rust visited the Rainbow Kitchen on November 26 to serve a Thanksgiving meal to local residents in Homestead. The players were proud to assist Rainbow Kitchen, which provides a vital safety net for hungry children, struggling families, low-income elderly, disabled individuals and Homestead residents who are homeless or unemployed.

MOVEMBER

Bryan Rust served as the Movember representative for the Pittsburgh Penguins. His mo’ raised funds for the fight against prostate cancer and testicular cancer plus raised awareness for mental health initiatives and suicide prevention.

“It’s fun. I love having the opportunity to meet the kids and seeing the energy that they bring. Just how excited they are to get new stuff and meet some of the guys, that’s what it’s all about.”

Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins

FOR THE KIDS

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL VISIT

A tradition that began in the early 1980s, the annual Penguins Children’s Hospital Visit is truly an incredible and spirited event. This season, on December 9, each Penguins player shared the joy of the holidays with the kids staying at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by visiting each child’s room and providing special gifts selected by the team.

“I think it’s one of the great things that our team does. I think our players are terrific with these kids. For us to bring them a day of happiness and inspiration is the least we can do. The real benefactors are us because they inspire us.”

Mike Sullivan Head Coach Pittsburgh Penguins

PENGUINS FOR A DAY

On February 15, Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford signed six children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to honorary one-day contracts making them official Pittsburgh Penguins players for the day. The new members of the Penguins team, Jessica, Michael, Hughes, Allison, Brayden and Morgan, geared up with their very own Penguins jerseys, hit the ice with their Penguins teammates, received a behindthe-scenes tour of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and ultimately lived out their dreams per their contract terms and thanks to their hockey heroes at the Pens.

MAKING MEMORIES

CROSBY & MALKIN CHARITY SUITES

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin welcomed children from 28 local charities to their own personal suites as their special gameday guests throughout the season. The children were treated to an in-game welcome announcement, visit from Iceburgh and a gift from their player host as a memento to remember the game.

THE PENS GIVE

In celebration of the Penguins Foundation’s 10th anniversary season, the Penguins players created a new program to assist the Foundation’s charitable efforts. The Pens Give recognized causes that the players hold close to their hearts by providing the associated organizations with tickets to enjoy a home game. Groups welcomed to PPG Paints Arena through The Pens Give program included:

Allegheny Family Network American Cancer Society American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Connecting Champions Lending Hearts Leukemia and Lymphoma Society MS Society Operation Troop Appreciation Reading is Fundamental Veterans Place

In addition, through The Pens Give, Jared McCann welcomed 58 guests from the MS Society’s Keystone Chapter to a December home game. Afterwards, he held a special post-game visit with his guests, personally signing items and engaging in powerful conversation. Jared’s visit has shown members of the MS Society that no matter what the battle, they are never battling alone.

HOCKEY HEROES

RUST & BJUGSTAD SEATS FOR STRENGTH

Through Seats for Strength, Bryan Rust and Nick Bjugstad welcomed children who receive therapeutic services at the Penguins Foundation’s COOL Zone to every home Penguins game. Seats for Strength focused on providing these families with memorable experiences both during the game and post-game when meeting Bryan and Nick.

“Everybody has their adversities, has their struggles. It shouldn’t be something that defeats you or defines you. It should be something that helps you grow as a person and build your character.”

Bryan Rust Pittsburgh Penguins

GUENTZEL HEARTS OF GOLD

Jake Guentzel’s Hearts of Gold program celebrated children with congenital heart defects who are a part of Mended Little Hearts of Southwestern PA. Jake invited children to each home game as his very special guests in an effort to ease their daily stressors and give families an amazing night cheering on the Pens.

GIVING BACK

CROSBY CAR GIVEAWAY

After winning a Honda Passport at the 2019 NHL All-Star Game, Sidney Crosby gave one female Veteran the surprise of a lifetime. As a gesture of thanks for the sacrifice and service Madeline Malizio experienced in the military, Sidney donated the car to her. This single mother and Army Specialist was just as excited as her 3-year old son during this incredible moment leading into Veterans Day.

“Sidney Crosby got me a car, and it’s been the best day ever. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am and how blessed I feel for what he’s done today.”

Madeline Malizio Army Specialist

MURRAY GEAR DONATION

As the Penguins Hockey is for Everyone Ambassador, Matt Murray is always working towards making hockey more inclusive. In an effort to support this goal, Matt donated and auctioned his 2018 Stadium Series goalie gear plus a special meet-and-greet experience. Matt’s unique auction raised $12,000 for the Delta Foundation, an organization working to be a catalyst for positive change for the LGBTQ+ community in Western Pennsylvania. The Penguins Foundation partnered with Edgar Snyder to create the team’s annual calendar: Penguins & Paws. Featuring adoptable animals and the players’ very own pets, the calendar raised over $60,000 for Animal Friends, a local shelter in Pittsburgh.

HORNQVIST DIAPER DONATION

In an effort to support our newest (and tiniest!) Pittsburgh Penguins fans, the Penguins own #72 donated $7,200 to the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank. As a father of two, Patric is familiar with the needs and expenses that come with caring for a child, and with his donation, diapers were provided to low-income

“As a father, I know that some of the simple necessities of having a child can feel overwhelming financially. I am happy to be able to donate a supply of diapers to help ease some cost burden for families in the area – especially around the holidays.”

Patric Hornqvist Pittsburgh Penguins

PENGUINS & PAWS

families throughout the region.