OAKVILLE, ON – May 13, 2025 – The Smilezone Foundation is proud to celebrate a decade of impact, community spirit and on-ice excitement with its 10th Annual Hockey Helping Kids Tournament, taking place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Joshua’s Creek Arenas in Oakville, Ontario.
Running from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the event promises a full day of high-energy hockey, hockey legends, and fun for the whole family—all in support of transforming health care spaces into comforting environments for children and their families. This milestone tournament is open to the public, inviting the entire community to come out, enjoy exciting activities, and watch some incredible hockey.
Smilezone spaces are designed to transform plain, clinical, and often overlooked areas into bright, engaging environments that reduce stress and anxiety for children and families during challenging times. By creating uplifting spaces filled with colour, comfort, and interactive features, Smilezones help make the healing process more positive. With over 450 Smilezones across 96 communities in Canada, Smilezone Foundation is reaching and supporting hundreds of thousands of children and caregivers with environments that inspire calm, joy, and connection when it’s needed most.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported,” said Adam Graves, NHL Alumni and Co-Founder of Smilezone Foundation. “This tournament is a testament to what we can achieve when we unite for a cause that touches so many lives. Every year this event grows in heart and reach, and this year is no exception. We’re honoured to have so many returning and new pros join us on the ice—and so many families, fans, and supporters cheering us on from the sidelines.”
Over the years, the Hockey Helping Kids tournament has attracted some of the hockey’s biggest legends, who join local participants on mixed celebrity teams. Together, they hit the ice not just to compete, but to raise crucial funds to transform hospitals, treatment centres, and community spaces into uplifting, therapeutic environments called Smilezones.
Last year’s tournament was one for the record books, featuring:
- 14 sold-out teams across men’s and women’s divisions
- More than 200 local players
- 14 celebrity pro players
- Over 50 volunteers supporting behind the scenes
- Over $200,000 raised to fund new Smilezones in hospitals and health centres across Canada
Each team will have one celebrity pro hitting the ice with them, fans in attendance will see a star-studded lineup, including:
- Adam Graves – Two-time Stanley Cup Champion and Co-Founder of Smilezone Foundation
- Rick Vaive – Celebrated Toronto Maple Leafs Captain and first 50-goal scorer
- Colton Orr, NHL enforcer famed for his 11-year NHL career with the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs
- Angela James, pioneering and dominant force of women’s hockey during the 1980s and 1990s and four-time World Champion
- Stephane Matteau, Former NHL player known for his game-winning goal in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals
- Megan Bozek, Team USA defender and two-time Olympic medalist
- Kris Versteeg, Stanley Cup champion
- Brandon Prust, Former NHL enforcer Brandon Prust, known for his energetic play
Click here for the full roster of pro celebrities.
Tournament Format & Fan Experiences
- 12 hours of hockey across two rinks
- Shootout with the Pros at the Hockey Stick Man Booth
- Chuck-a-Puck contests
- Silent Auction with exclusive memorabilia and experiences
- Hot Stove Lounge with live interviews
- Outdoor Fan Festival, including:
- Kids Zone (face painting, balloon artists)
- Hockey Hall of Fame trophies, including the Canada Cup
- Food trucks, giveaways, and live entertainment
Each team is required to raise a minimum of $9,000, contributing to this year’s $200,000 fundraising goal. All proceeds support the Smilezone Foundation, which transforms health care and treatment spaces into bright, engaging, and therapeutic environments for children and their families.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Joshua’s Creek Arenas, Oakville, ON
Admission: Open to the public — free to attend
More Info: www.smilezone.com
This fun-filled tournament is free and open to the public and fans are encouraged to join the festivities throughout the day. Come celebrate 10 years of hockey, heart, and hope as we lace up, cheer loud, and continue to build brighter spaces for kids—one Smilezone at a time.
To keep updated about the event, follow Smilezone Foundation on Facebook and Instagram @smilezonefoundation
ABOUT SMILEZONE FOUNDATION: Smilezone Foundation is a registered charity in Oakville, Ontario committed to improving the lives of children receiving medical treatment at health facilities across Canada. In 2012 founders Adam Graves and Scott Bachly were approached to make a financial contribution to the construction of a local hospital. Through partnerships with hospitals, community centers, and other organizations, Smilezone creates accessible, fun, and therapeutic environments where children can heal and thrive. Smilezone has transformed 450 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting over 96 communities and reaching hundreds of thousands of children, parents, health care workers and families. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
-30-
For more information:
Micki Benedetti
Smilezone Foundation
P: 905-466-2575
benedetti.micki@gmail.com
To Download the PDF Version Click Here: Smilezone Hockey Helping Kids 2025 Press Release FINAL
Leave A Comment