Tonight, the National Hockey League’s cutest competition is back, bringing together adoptable shelter pups to celebrate the Stanley Cup and find their forever homes.
“This event has quickly become a fan-favorite tradition, blending the competitive spirit of the NHL with the mission of finding homes for animals in need,” Steve Mayer, NHL president of content and events, said in a statement. “When Patrick Kanine, Cole Pawfield, Quinn Chews, and others find families because of Stanley Pup, we know that this show has true meaning.” (These puppies are playfully named after Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings, Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens, and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild.)
The event is highly anticipated indeed, with a recent promo video posted to the NHL’s official Instagram gaining over 25,000 likes in two days.
For the friendly competition, all 32 NHL teams will be represented by a dog who will be up for adoption through the NHL’s adoption partner, Brandywine Valley SPCA, based in Pennsylvania. In addition to the ones Mayer mentioned, other canine contestants boast creative names such as Jack Chews, representing Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils; Matthew Schaefurry, representing Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders; and Macklin Celewienie, representing Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.
Elias Weiss Friedman, the creator of the photodocumentary series The Dogist, will also be joining the Stanley Pup event as an anchor, showcasing adoption follow-up segments that highlight the competition’s real-world impact.
With play-by-play commentary from Mark Shunock and Chris Rose, the 90-minute special is set to air in the U.S. tonight, Monday, June 8, at 9:30 p.m. ET on TruTV and HBO Max. In Canada, it will premiere at 8 p.m. ET on Sportsnet 360.
After the national broadcast, fans who missed the special will still be able to watch. Viewers may catch it on the NHL’s YouTube channel on June 9 and via the NHL Network on June 10. And those in the Washington, D.C., area will be able to tune in via Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) on June 15.