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INNOVATE • TRANSFORM • INSPIRE

The NHL is committed to protecting the places we play hockey for future generations. We're using innovative technologies to transform our business, and inspiring our communities and partners to lower emissions, conserve water, reduce waste and more. When your sport is so much more than a game, you have to play it forward.

 


GREEN PARTNERS

These partners help the NHL advance and promote environmental, financial and ultimately social sustainability across the League and the broader hockey eco-system.


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Leveling the Playing Field furnishes schools and community organizations with free sports equipment

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Blues, Wild take different paths toward environmentally sustainable rinks

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Ducks practice facility incorporates latest environmental technology

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Adidas Hockey Announces New, Sustainable NHL Team Jerseys

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NHL, EPA discuss climate change in White House Environmental Roundtable

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Community hockey rinks benefiting from energy-efficient solutions

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GREEN THROUGH THE YEARS

Since its launch in 2010, NHL Green has been committed to promoting more sustainable business practices across the League as well as preserving the environment, including the frozen ponds that inspired and cultivated the game more than 100 years ago. Our efforts to lessen the League's environmental impact and our commitment to the places and spaces where the sport is played - on frozen ponds, community rinks, or in-arena - will hopefully ensure the sport thrives for future generations.

2010 - NHL Green initiative launched

The NHL Green initiative launched at the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic to promote sustainable business practices across the League and engage fans around environmental awareness. As part of NHL Green, we also launched the Food Recovery Initiative. The Food Recovery Initiative collected prepared, but untouched food from all our Clubs and donated to organizations in need. In the first 4 years of the program, we diverted over 100 tons of food waste from landfills, equivalent to over 120,000 meals to local food banks.

2011 - Gallons for Goals™ launched

Gallons for Goals™ launched. For every goal scored during the regular season, the NHL restores 1000 gallons of water through the purchase of Water Restoration Certificates®. Over the past 10 years, the NHL restored over 88 million gallons of water.

2012 - The Legacy Tree Project commenced

The Legacy Tree Project commenced. Since 2012, The NHL has celebrated the NHL Draft™ by planting a tree to represent each Club in the host city. In the first 5 years of the initiative, the League has planted over 1,500 trees to support the effort.

2013 - LED Game Lighting used at NHL Arena

LED Game Lighting used at NHL Arena. Centre Bell, home of the Montréal Canadiens, is the first NHL arena to install LED game lights. Since 2014, all NHL All-Star Games have been played under LED Lights and more than 2/3 of NHL arenas have converted to LED game lights, contributing to substantial energy savings in the facility.

2014 - NHL releases the first sustainability report

The NHL released the first sustainability report issued by a North American professional sports league. The report includes the League's carbon inventory, a first in US pro sports. Fuel cell innovation comes to NHL. SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks, is the first NHL arena to install fuel cell energy servers, which can provide enough onsite energy to power 20%-30% of energy use on game days.

2015 - NHL commits to counterbalancing carbon footprint

NHL commits to counterbalancing their entire carbon footprint for three consecutive seasons. A first in professional sport in partnership with Constellation Energy. Since 2014, more than 963,200 MWH of energy have been counterbalanced. Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild, is the first sports facility in the US to achieve three environmental certifications Xcel Energy Center has achieved LEED, Golden Globes and ASTM/APEX certification.

2016 - NHL Greener Rinks Initiative™ launched

NHL Greener Rinks Initiative™ launched. The initiative provides information about technologies and practices local community ice rinks may use to reduce their operating costs and environmental impact.

2017 - Declaration of Principles unveiled

The Declaration of Principles unveiled. NHL Green aims to improve access to the game so that everyone can enjoy the hockey experience and uphold these principles.

2018 - NHL releases its second sustainability report

The NHL releases its second sustainability report with updated 5-year goals. NHL Green recommits to educating the broader rink industry and enters into a partnership with Chemours.

2019 - NHL recommits to offsetting Emissions

NHL recommits to offsetting Emissions via the counterbalancing of the carbon associated with post-season team air travel. 1,729 carbon offsets were purchased which is equivalent to the reduction of 3,811,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent or the equivalent emissions associated with 4,583,100 vehicle-miles traveled.

2020 - NHL Green 10 year anniversary

NHL Green 10 year anniversary: the NHL renews its commitment to engage fans around building vibrant and healthy communities through hockey while ensuring the sport's infrastructure - from natural ice to community rinks - continues to thrive.

2021 - League made a commitment to invest in water improvement projects in the two Stanley Cup Final cities (MTL & TBL)

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of NHL Green's Water Restoration Program, the League made a commitment to invest in water improvement projects in the two Stanley Cup Final cities (MTL & TBL) focused on water stewardship and access to underserved communities.

Perhaps more than any other sport, hockey is connected to the natural environment. We rely on freshwater to make our ice, energy to fuel our operations and healthy communities for our athletes, employees and fans to live, work and play. We also rely on cold climates to continue the tradition of outdoor hockey, a critical component of the game's history and culture.

Through the NHL Greener Rinks Initiative, we invite all hockey arenas to join us in our mission to track and improve the environmental impact of the greater hockey community.