Animal lovers Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and actor-vocalist Kristin Chenoweth will be in on the four-legged fun when they each make special appearances for the first Stanley Pup program, a one-hour special launched by the National Hockey League (NHL) and nonprofit organization Petco Love. The special will celebrate the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs by holding a friendly competition featuring adoptable rescue dogs.
Each of the National Hockey League’s 32 teams will be represented by a four-legged friend, with 16 dogs representing teams that qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs facing off in a friendly competition to showcase their canine skills.
In addition to appearances from Lambert, Guyton and Chenoweth, the program will feature commentary by Akbar Gbajabiamila (American Ninja Warrior and The Talk) and Mark Shunock (Top Rank Boxing) with Alexa Landestoy (NHL Network) reporting rinkside.
The Stanley Pup will broadcast in the United States on the NHL Network and on ESPN+ on Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET and on Sportsnet for fans in Canada on Saturday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET. (Airdates and times are subject to change based on the schedule for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.)
Producer and animal advocate Michael Levitt, who has worked on rescue-themed projects including American Rescue Dog Show and All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration, will produce the show alongside NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer and NHL Vice President of production and creative development Matt Nicholson for NHL Productions, while Aimee Brillhart and Mark Shunock will executive produce. National nonprofit Petco Love will provide dogs for the competition through their shelter partners around the country.
“At the NHL, we love supporting great causes and the opportunity to produce a program that finds homes for rescue dogs is so fulfilling,” Mayer said in a statement. “The show promises to be great fun and we can’t wait for our participating puppies Nathan McKibble, Joe Pawvelski, Alexander O-fetch-kin and many more to hit our Stanley Pup rink.”
“I’m so proud to launch this canine sporting spectacular with the NHL, and so grateful for their passion in supporting adoption. The show is sure to be the biggest night of the year for dog-loving hockey fans,” Levitt added. “The cuteness overload is going to be off the charts! I can’t wait to show viewers how special rescue dogs are and how profoundly they enhance our lives when we welcome them into our families.”
The canine talent in the game showcases the variety of dogs available for adoption around the country. “We are honored that the NHL will spotlight these all-star pups,” Petco Love President Susanne Kogut added. “Everyone can be a champion in the life of a pet. When you adopt a pet from your local shelter, everyone wins!”
Lambert is well-known for her love and advocacy for animals through her work launching the MuttNation Foundation, which she and her mother, Bev, launched in 2009. The donation-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization has raised nearly $10 million to support its mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets. Lambert also launched the MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert pet line of toys and supplies, which is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company and benefits the foundation. Chenoweth has also been an official spokesperson with the organization Remember Me Thursday, which advocates for pet adoption.
