The National Hockey League (NHL) has once again teamed up with Petco Love to bring joy and excitement to pet lovers with the return of the Stanley Pup event on June 6, 2025. This heartwarming 90-minute special, which aired across various media platforms, featured a delightful competition of rescue puppies from animal shelters across North America. Representing all 32 NHL teams, these adorable pups participated in a playful, hockey-inspired event designed to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and support for shelter animals.
Building on the success of the inaugural Stanley Pup event in 2024, which featured just 16 teams, the 2025 event expanded to include all NHL franchises, making it an even bigger celebration of both hockey and the lovable dogs in need of forever homes. The puppies, who were chosen from local shelters in each team’s city, were not only showcased in the competition but also made available for adoption through their respective rescue organizations. This unique combination of sports and social good was designed to entertain viewers while encouraging the adoption of rescue dogs.
The Stanley Pup event, which took place during the busy NHL postseason, drew significant attention with its blend of sports excitement and charitable cause. The show featured adorable puppies participating in a series of playful challenges designed to mimic the fast-paced action of a typical hockey game. From “slapshots” with chew toys to puck chases, the puppies demonstrated their adorable enthusiasm while participating in various fun-filled activities that had fans and viewers cheering from the sidelines.
Notably, the event also featured celebrity dog lovers who helped raise the profile of the event and its cause. A-list stars such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Paula Abdul, Cedric the Entertainer, and Michael Bublé made special appearances, each lending their support to the effort by promoting the importance of pet adoption and the joys of giving a shelter dog a second chance. Their involvement in the event added a touch of star power, drawing even more attention to the cause and amplifying the message that shelter dogs deserve a loving home.
The collaboration between the NHL and Petco Love underscores the growing recognition of the power of sports and entertainment to create positive social change. The Stanley Pup event not only provided fans with a lighthearted and endearing way to enjoy the hockey postseason but also helped shine a spotlight on the millions of animals in need of homes across North America.
In addition to raising awareness, the event provided a platform for adoption opportunities, with many of the featured puppies finding new homes as a direct result of the event’s promotion. The NHL’s expansion of the event from 16 teams in 2024 to 32 teams in 2025 is a testament to the success and positive reception of the initiative. The growing support for this cause highlights a broader trend within professional sports, where athletes, organizations, and fans alike are increasingly using their influence to support causes like animal welfare and pet adoption.
The Stanley Pup event not only served as an enjoyable experience for fans of all ages but also created a ripple effect in communities across the continent. As the NHL continues to blend its love for the sport with social impact initiatives, events like Stanley Pup show the potential for sports to not only entertain but also inspire positive change in society.
With the event’s success in 2025, there are expectations that future editions of Stanley Pup will continue to expand and engage more fans, celebrities, and pet lovers, ultimately contributing to the goal of reducing the number of pets in shelters and encouraging more adoptions.
