Power Play: Here's a List of Top NHL Stars Who Give
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sydney crosby of the pittsburgh penguins. Jai Agnish/shuterstock
Unlike the NBA and the NFL, the National Hockey League lacks the blockbuster television contracts that rake in tons of revenue for the sport. Instead, upwards of 70% of NHL revenue is derived from arenas through tickets, concessions, sponsorships and parking, per Forbes. As a result, top NHL players earn a lot less than their NBA, NFL and even MLB counterparts. And since 2019, the top hockey players have seen their annual earnings fall 27%.
In contrast, the top 10 earning NBA players are set to make $714 million in the 2021-2022 season. Even Major League Baseball’s top 10 will pull in $357 million.
Still, the elite on ice pull plenty of cash in the NHL. In the 2021–2022 season, the 10 top-earning NHL players will earn about $117 million, with names like Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, and Montreal Canadiens’ Carey Price headlining this cohort. (Looks like our Canadian stars to the north are cleaning up here!)
We’ve only just begun to dig into the giving of NHL players, but in a common refrain, like other athlete philanthropy, this is yet another league primed to produce athlete philanthropists in the coming years. Still focused on their playing careers, these figures have plenty of time to iron out and deepen their giving interests later. But getting a handle on these stars now can provide a window into what might happen when their philanthropy fully kicks into gear.
The following list is by no means exhaustive and I don’t want to be put in the sin-bin or swept away by a zamboni because of it. This time around, we’ve also chosen to focus on those currently playing in the states. With that said, here’s a rundown of some of the National Hockey League’s top philanthropic players.
Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks signed a $92 million contract that made him the highest-paid defenseman in league history. He and his wife Melinda established Can’t Dim My Light as a platform to combat bullying and cyberbullying. The charity’s inaugural event in 2018, called Walk of Light, raised money for Proud to Be Me (PTBM), a charity for children and youth focused on inclusion, empathy, kindness and mutual respect. The foundation’s in-person events have slowed during the pandemic, but they plan on doing more fundraising events in the future.
Artemi Panarin
Russian-born hockey star Artemi Panarin signed a seven-year deal with the New York Rangers worth $80.5 million in 2019. He started the Artemiy Panarin Fund, which focuses on youth and human services with an eye toward his native Russia. He has spoken about putting all of his endorsement money toward philanthropy, saying, “And one of my thoughts is that all my advertising money will go to charity. We need to settle this with companies, and we are working on it. So that companies that promote their brands that work with me send this money directly to charity. Without even touching me.”
Tyler Seguin
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin founded Seguin’s Stars back in 2013 to focus on charitable and community work. It supports programs focused on physical, emotional and social youth development. Notably, Seguin donated a multi-purpose ball hockey court to Boys and Girls Club of Collin County. The foundation works with Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and After School All Stars.
Sidney Crosby
Born in Nova Scotia, in 2005, Crosby was picked No. 1 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he has spent his entire career. The likes of Wayne Gretzky called him the best player in the game in 2016. Crosby launched the Sidney Crosby Foundation, which supports charities that improve the lives of disadvantaged children in Canada. The foundation partnered with NHLPA Goals & Dreams to support grassroots hockey programs.
Sergei Bobrovsky
In South Florida, Panthers goalie Bobrovsky stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic and donated $100,000 to help part-time employees at the BB&T Center, where the team plays. He’s also worked with the Florida Panthers Foundation alongside fellow Russian stars Artemi Panarin and Semyon Varlamov to help pandemic relief efforts in New York.
Adam Henrique and Brandon Montour
Here’s an interesting story about two friends and former teammates coming together. Hockey stars Adam Henrique and Brandon Montour play stateside for the Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers, respectively. But both were born in Ontario, Canada. The duo launched the Henrique Montour Charity Golf Classic and Foundation to support their home communities. The inaugural fundraising event supported the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund’s “Sponsor A Child” campaign, which provides financial assistance for registration fees in youth sports. Montour is of Mohawk descent from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and has also been an advocate for Indigenous youth.
