Avalanche Spread Cheer at Local Pediatric Hospital

The Colorado Avalanche players and staff spent the greater half of last Wednesday at a local pediatric hospital, spreading joy and delivering gifts to youth patients from newborns to college-aged battling various diseases, illnesses and injuries.

This tradition of the Avalanche organization marks the 25th year visiting a local pediatric hospital during the holidays since the team moved here in 1995-96.
"Since the Avalanche arrived in Colorado, it has been extremely important to have the players and coaches connect with the community," Vice President, Community Relations Executive Director, Kroenke Sports Charities Deb Dowling-Canino said. "This has included their annual visit to a local pediatric hospital. It has always been a day circled on the schedule. Because of health and safety protocols, this traditional event has been on hiatus since 2019. We especially embrace being able to visit this year and honor the patients, families and hospital staff which face medical hurdles every day. We are hopeful that our short time together brought a smile and an assurance that there are many who are supporting their efforts, especially during the holidays."

As players and coaches entered, Avalanche-themed Santa Hats and their jerseys awaited them. They were then split into groups of two and dispersed to the various units of the hospital, with red-painted carts with a Santa bag full of small-stuffed Bernies along with cards for players to sign.
Nathan MacKinnon and Erik Johnson were paired together and made their room visits throughout the wing where patients were awaiting bone marrow transplants, and each and every one of them were overjoyed - lighting up with a bright and shiny smile - upon the duo's arrival.
Whether it was Johnson talking to one of the kids about his favorite football team, to MacKinnon having a conversation with one of the families from Regina, Saskatchewan about Canada, it was wholesome and afforded the patients to share real connections with the veteran staples of the Avalanche.
One kid was ecstatic as MacKinnon walked in, yelling, "Nathan MacKinnon!! Wow!" The wow he exerted was not just any wow, but it was a long wow and it brought immediate laughter to the family members in the room along with the volunteer staff as well, and even MacKinnon himself.
Along the way during his visit, Johnson reconnected with a family that he had met back in the summer when he brought the Stanley Cup to the facility.
"I came here with the Cup this summer," Johnson said. "I established a relationship with them. It was good to see them again today, just because they finally got the transplant that she needed and make sure she is doing better. That was six months ago and they are finally able to get it so that's awesome."

This signature event is one that the Avalanche players don't take for granted and helps put things in perspective as it coincides with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
"It always puts things in perspective" J.T. Compher said. "It's great to take the time to come out and visit these kids. You just try to put a smile on their faces and see how they're doing. We really enjoy [doing this event every year]."
For more information on Kroenke Sports Charities please visit: https://www.ballarena.com/arena-information/kroenke-sports-charities/