ST PAUL, MN—February 21, 2019 — Twenty-nine youth hockey teams throughout Minnesota used the same teamwork so important for success on the ice to raise $31,948.68  for kids with serious health conditions being treated by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul. It is more than triple the amount raised by teams participating in Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids in 2017-2018. 

Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, an award-winning collaboration between the Minnesota Wild, Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockey and Hiway Federal Credit Union® (Hiway), encouraged youth hockey teams to use their own creative ideas to raise funds for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. This is the second year for the program that was introduced during 2017-2018 Minnesota Wild season. Teams that raised $500 or more qualified to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at the Minnesota Wild – St. Louis Blues game on Sunday, February 24th. The Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White team was selected at random from all eligible teams to receive the party, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Xcel Energy Center, a meet-and-greet with Dubnyk and other Wild players and gifts from the Wild and Hiway. 

Every player from a team that raised at least $500 received a custom Minnesota Wild - Hockey Kids4Kids cap and all participating teams are invited to private skating parties at the Xcel Energy Center compliments of Hiway. 

“I’m so proud of our kids for taking on this project,” said Paul Albers, coach of the Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White team. “They’re a special group with a lot of heart on and off the ice. They’re excited to win the team party, but I really believe they were even more excited they are able to help kids at Gillette Children’s.”

Cambridge-Isanti Hockey Association (CIHA) Bantams was the top fundraising team. Their efforts raised $4,055.00. The Minnesota Wild Foundation provided $2,500 matching funds to the first two teams to raise that amount, East Grand Forks 12U Girls and Hastings Raiders 12B.

“Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids was created to help young athletes learn the power of teamwork and joy of community service,” said Hiway Federal Credit Union President/CEO Dave Boden. “No matter our age, we can always practice being a good teammate and giving back to the community. We thank every player, coach and parent from every team who gave their time and effort to support Gillette Children’s.”

“We are grateful for the support of Hiway, the Minnesota Wild, Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockey and so many young hockey players from throughout Minnesota,” said Dennis Jolley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Gillette. “Their selflessness is inspiring and their efforts will make a real difference for kids with disabilities and complex medical needs served by Gillette Children’s.”

Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids ran from October 1, 2018 through February 10, 2019.  Any youth hockey team governed by Minnesota Hockey, the official governing board of youth hockey in the state, was eligible to participate.

• Osseo Maple Grove Squirt C White
• East Grand Forks 12U Girls
• Minneapolis Storm Lakers Mite 
• St. Paul Capitals Squirt C
• Lakeville South Pee Wee C 
• Roseville Raiders Bantam B1
• Osseo Maple Grove Peewee C Gold
• Detroit Lakes Lakers Squirt C
• Champlin Park Rebels Bantam B1
• Lakeville 10U A Ice Cats
• Minneapolis Storm Girls 12U B Purple
• River Lakes Stars Peewee B1
• Roseville Raiders Peewee A
• Farmington Squirt C White
• Woodbury Predators Girls 10U B 
• Hastings Girls 12U B
• Cambridge-Isanti Bantam B1
• New Prague Squirt C
• Chisago Lakes Squirt B2 Gold
• Lakeville 12U A Ice Cats
• Farmington Squirt B Orange
• Firehawks Girls 10U A
• Northern Lakes Girls 12U
• Spring Lake Park D Mite Gophers
• Edina Peewee B2 Gold
• Farmington Tigers 10U Black
• Champlin Park Coon Rapids HS Girls
• North Wright County Riverhawks 10U B - White
• Andover Huskies 8U

ABOUT HIWAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION             

Hiway Federal Credit Union was founded in 1931 to serve the employees of the Minnesota Highway Department. Today, Hiway serves over 74,000 members in Minnesota and around the country, registers $1.1 billion in assets and welcomes new membership from individuals and small businesses. Hiway offers its members unparalleled member service and a lifetime of savings through lower loan rates, higher savings rates and fewer and lower fees. For more information about Hiway, visit hiway.org.

ABOUT GILLETTE CHILDREN’S SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE 

Founded in 1897, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare , based in St. Paul, MN was the first hospital in the nation for kids who have disabilities. Last year, nearly 25,000 families with children facing such complex medical conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, trusted Gillette to help their children thrive. Gillette tailors its care model specifically to the needs of its patient and family community so they can achieve their highest potential.