As hockey fans eagerly await the NHL’s return to play, Sportsnet’s Shawn McKenzie and Spittin’ Chiclets star Paul Bissonnette just couldn’t wait any longer to see playoff action.
Starting Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, the duo will host the Sportsnet Bracket challenge, powered by EA SPORTS NHL 20, a competition for the virtual Stanley Cup that will raise money to help those who need it most right now.
The star-studded NHL 20 tournament will feature 16 prominent athletes and personalities from across the hockey world — including NHL and women’s hockey stars, as well as a few favourite Sportsnet hosts — as they compete from home, with donations for their charities of choice on the line.
Eight half-hour episodes featuring key matchups from the tournament are scheduled to air on Sportsnet and stream on Sportsnet NOW. 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.
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 No. 1 and No. 2) – Thursday, July 2
• Episode 6 (Quarterfinal No. 3 and No. 4) – Monday, July 6
• Episode 7 (Semifinals) – Wednesday, July 8
• Episode 8 (Championship and Awards) – Monday, July 13
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 defenceman – 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 defenceman – Smile Zone
• Christian Fischer, Arizona Coyotes forward – TBD
• Justin Holl, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman – Sick Kids Foundation
• Faizal Khamisa, Sportsnet personality – Sick Kids Foundation
• Roman Josi, Nashville Predators defenceman – TBD
• Evander Kane, San Jose Sharks forward – Hockey Diversity Alliance
• Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks forward – Hockey Diversity Alliance
• Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins defenceman – NAACP Boston
• Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman – CBJ Foundation
The competition will unfold in a single-elimination format — win and advance, or lose and you’re out. NHLers will play as their most recent team, while the women’s stars and Sportsnet personalities will be assigned a team at random. Gaming kits and accessories were donated by RAZER Inc.
The bracket is set up as follows:
