- Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation are investing $100,000 in cancer research tonight
- The campaign raised $9.1 million last season and hits its 28th year
- Read below for the Manson and Keller sweepstakes and the full list of partners
Hockey Fights Cancer is back for 2026-27, and it opens with real money on the table.
The NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation for Cancer Research will invest $100,000 in cancer research tonight as the campaign kicks off alongside Frozen Frenzy, per the league’s announcement. All 32 teams play on ESPN2, Disney+ and the ESPN App in the U.S., and fans can donate to add to the total.
This is the 28th season for Hockey Fights Cancer. Last year’s campaign raised $9.1 million, and more than $4.6 million of that is going to research at top institutions across the U.S. and Canada through the V Foundation. Forty-two research grants have been awarded in 22 NHL markets over the past three seasons.
The league has a new face-off fundraiser lined up too. Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson and Utah Mammoth forward Clayton Keller are teaming up for The Winter Face-Off, a sweepstakes tied to the 2027 Winter Classic. The winner gets a one-of-a-kind Winter Classic experience, and fans can enter at alltroo.com/HFC.
Both players have personal reasons for signing on. Manson lost his mother Lana to melanoma in August 2023. Keller lost his grandfather, Bill Simpson.
Manson talked about his mom’s fight in the NHL’s own Hockey Fights Cancer feature last season. Watch Josh Manson: The Gift of Time:
The campaign is expanding its “It’s Personal” push this year, featuring hockey fans and survivors in marketing and social posts all season. There are 16 HFC Champions on board.
The spotlight will carry past tonight. Hockey Fights Cancer themed broadcasts are set for Wednesday Night Hockey (Prime Video in Canada), NHL on TNT in the U.S. and Saturday Night Hockey on Sportsnet in Canada. Every club will host an in-game awareness night, and November is the league-wide celebration month.
Sponsors are putting money in as well. Hyundai returns in Canada and will donate $10 for every save made during the regular season, a program projected to bring in more than $700,000. An extra $300,000 from Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation would push Hyundai’s Greatest Save to $1 million again. Nicorette is adding $100,000, and AstraZeneca has given $1.2 million to the V Foundation since November 2023.
Frozen Frenzy puts 16 games on the ice tonight, and the cancer research donation drive starts with the first puck drop.
