Get ready Canada for bone-crushing hits, silky-smooth dangles, and gut-busting chirps! While fans are getting ready for the NHL’s return to play, Sportsnet’s Shawn McKenzie and Spittin’ Chiclets star Paul Bissonnette just couldn’t wait any longer for hockey action. So they recruited 16 prominent athletes and personalities from across the hockey world to compete for the virtual Stanley Cup, and to raise money to help those who need it most right now, with the Sportsnet Bracket Challenge powered by EA SPORTS NHL® 20.
The gamers – a mix of NHL and women’s hockey stars along with a few favourite Sportsnet hosts – will compete in the tournament from home, with donations for the charities of their choice, and of course bragging rights, on the line. Eight half-hour episodes featuring key matchups from the tournament are scheduled to air on Sportsnet and stream on Sportsnet NOW, starting Wednesday, June 17 with each episode airing at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT (details below). Full-length broadcasts will be available on-demand on Sportsnet NOW, and on sportsnet.ca and Sportsnet’s YouTube channel. Various Sportsnet personalities and special celebrity guests will also make appearances throughout each show.
The Sportsnet Bracket Challenge will facilitate donations totaling $50,000 to the players’ charities of choice as per the following breakdown:
- Champion – $10,000
- Runner-up – $5,000
- All other participants – $2,500
All donations are made possible by Sportsnet partners EA SPORTS, Sony, Midas, and Skip the Dishes. The competitors and their respective charities are:
- Erin Ambrose, Team Canada Defenseman – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Zach Aston-Reese, Pittsburgh Penguins Forward – Hockey Diversity Alliance
- Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues Goaltender – 360 Degree Kids
- James Cybulski, Sportsnet Personality – Delta Hospital Foundation
- Steve Dangle, Sportsnet Personality – Easter Seals
- Mélodie Daoust, Team Canada Forward – Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Alex DeBrincat, Chicago Blackhawks Forward – The Blackhawks Foundation
- Vince Dunn, St. Louis Blues Defenseman – Smile Zone
- Christian Fischer, Arizona Coyotes Forward – TBD
- Justin Holl, Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman – Sick Kids Foundation
- Faizal Khamisa, Sportsnet Personality – Sick Kids Foundation
- Roman Josi, Nashville Predators Defenseman – TBD
- Evander Kane, San Jose Sharks Forward – Hockey Diversity Alliance
- Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks Forward – Hockey Diversity Alliance
- Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins Defenseman – NAACP Boston
- Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman – CBJ Foundation
Gamers will have to be at their best right from the drop of the puck as the tournament is a single elimination format – win and advance, or lose and you’re out. NHLers will play as their current (most-recent) team, while the women’s stars and Sportsnet personalities will be assigned a team at random. Gaming kits and accessories were generously donated by RAZER Inc. The bracket is set up as follows:
Sportsnet Broadcast Details
All episodes are scheduled for 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW:
- Episode 1 – Wednesday, June 17
- Episode 2 – Monday, June 22
- Episode 3 – Wednesday, June 24
- Episode 4 – Monday, June 29
- Episode 5 (Quarterfinal #1 & #2) – Thursday, July 2
- Episode 6 (Quarterfinal #3 & #4) – Monday, July 6
- Episode 7 (Semifinals) – Wednesday, July 8
- Episode 8 (Championship & Awards) – Monday, July 13
*Schedule subject to change. Check sportsnet.ca/schedule for the most up-to-date TV listings.