Twenty-nine youth hockey teams throughout Minnesota used the same teamwork so important for success on the ice to raise $31,948.68 for kids with serious health conditions being treated by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul. It is more than triple the amount raised by teams participating in Hiway Hockey Kids4Kidsin 2017-2018.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, an award-winning collaboration between the Minnesota Wild, Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockeyand Hiway Federal Credit Union® (Hiway), encouraged youth hockey teams to use their own creative ideas to raise funds for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. This is the second year for the program that was introduced during 2017-2018 Minnesota Wild season.Teams that raised $500 or more qualified to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at the Minnesota Wild – St. Louis Blues game on Sunday, February 24th. The Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White team was selected at random from all eligible teams to receive the party, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Xcel Energy Center, a meet-and-greet with Dubnyk and other Wild players and gifts from the Wild and Hiway.
Every player from a team that raised at least $500 received a custom Minnesota Wild - Hockey Kids4Kids cap and all participating teams are invited to private skating parties at the Xcel Energy Center compliments of Hiway.
“I’m so proud of our kids for taking on this project,” said Paul Albers, coach of the Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White team.“They’re a special group with a lot of heart on and off the ice.They’re excited to win the team party but I really believe they were even more excited they are able to help kids at Gillette Children’s.”
Cambridge-Isanti Hockey Association (CIHA) Bantams was the top fundraising team. Their efforts raised $4,055.00.The Minnesota Wild Foundation provided $2,500 matching funds to the first two teams to raise that amount, East Grand Forks 12U Girls and Hastings Raiders 12B.
“Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids was created to help young athletes learn the power of teamwork and joy of community service,” said Hiway Federal Credit Union President/CEO Dave Boden. “No matter our age, we can always practice being a good teammate and giving back to the community.We thank every player, coach and parent from every team who gave their time and effort to support Gillette Children’s.”
“We are grateful for the support of Hiway, the Minnesota Wild, Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockey and so many young hockey players from throughout Minnesota,” said Dennis Jolley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Gillette.“Their selflessness is inspiring and their efforts will make a real difference for kids with disabilities and complex medical needs served by Gillette Children’s.”
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids ran from October 1, 2018 through February 10, 2019. Any youth hockey team governed by Minnesota Hockey, the official governing board of youth hockey in the state, was eligible to participate.
Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White
East Grand Forks 12U Girls
Minneapolis Storm Lakers Mite e
St. Paul Capitals Squirt C Team
Lakeville South Pee Wee C Hockey Team
Roseville Raiders - 14U (Bantam) B1
Osseo Maple Grove Peewee C Gold
Detroit Lakes Lakers Squirt C
Champlin Park Rebels Bantam B1
Lakeville U10A Ice Cats
Minneapolis Storm Girls 12UB Purple
RiverLakes Stars Peewee B1
Roseville Raiders Peewee A
Farmington Squirt C White
Woodbury Predators U10 B1 Girls
Hastings U12 B1
Cambridge-Isanti Bantam B1
New Prague Squirt C
Chisago Lakes Squirt B2 Gold
Lakeville U12A Ice Cats
Farmington Squirt B Orange
Firehawks U10 A Girls
Northern Lakes U12
Spring Lake Park D Mite Gophers
Edina Peewee B2 Gold
Farmington Tigers U10 Black
Champlin Park Coon Rapids HS Girls
North Wright County Riverhawks 10U B - White
Andover Huskies 8U
North Wright County Riverhawks 10U B – White
Andover Huskies 8U
Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White Team