The Seattle Thunderbirds and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska (RMHC) are pleased to announce Hockey Challenge 2013, the 15th annual Hockey Challenge, raised over $170,000 for RMHC.

Hockey Challenge 2013 took place on Saturday, February 23, at ShoWare Center. 

The annual Hockey Challenge has now raised over $4.3 million for the RMHC in 15 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 accommodations for 700 families.

There were seven games played during the Challenge on Saturday. The first five games Saturday were played by 10 teams from various groups at Microsoft. The T-Birds vs. Everett Silvertips game followed the five Challenge games on Saturday and the event was capped off by the Celebrity All-Star Game.

“We are so thankful to all of the teams for their participation and earnest efforts to raise money and awareness for RMHC,” said Dianna Finnerty, Executive Director of RMHC.  “The enthusiasm of the players, and our partners the Seattle Thunderbirds, is what has sustained this event for 15 years. We are happy to be celebrating the 15 year milestone and look forward to 15 more.”

“We are very pleased with the amount of money that was raised for the RMHC this past weekend,” said Ian Henry, T-Birds Director of Public and Media Relations. “The money raised from the Challenge goes directly to helping children and families dealing with life threatening illnesses. We hope that the illnesses these families have to face is made a little bit easier knowing that they will have a place to stay, at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, and that they can focus on getting their loved ones healthy.  Being able to use the sport of hockey to help these families is something that, as an organization, we take great care to make happen.”

“We owe a big thank you to all the teams that took part, all the volunteers that helped put the event on and all the T-Birds alumni and local celebrities that took part in the Celebrity All-Star game,” continued Henry.

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

Celebrities that have appeared in previous Hockey Challenge Celebrity All-Star Games include: 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 Jamie Huscroft, Al Kinisky, Turner Stevenson, Pat Smith, Regan Mueller, Danny Lorenz, Blake Knox, Brett Duncan, Ryan Gibbons and Lloyd Shaw.

Over the past 15 years the Hockey Challenge has raised over $4.3 million for the Seattle Ronald McDonald House. Find out more about the Seattle Ronald McDonald House.