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Kris Knoblauch Named 2025 NHL Philanthropy Icon for Unwavering Humanitarian Impact and Transformative Local Generosity
EDMONTON, AB — It’s been a banner year for the Edmonton Oilers, and not just on the ice. This week, the National Hockey League named Oilers Head Coach Kris Knoblauch the 2025 NHL Philanthropy Icon, an honor reserved for the league’s most compassionate, community-driven leaders. In a league rich with talent and star power, Knoblauch has carved out a different kind of legacy — one rooted in service, heart, and healing.
The award recognizes individuals whose contributions off the ice have transformed communities, uplifted lives, and embodied the NHL’s spirit of giving. And according to league officials, Kris Knoblauch’s efforts “stood out for both their scale and sincerity.”
A Coach with a Cause
Knoblauch, who stepped into the Oilers head coaching role in late 2023, quickly gained attention not only for his strategic brilliance behind the bench but for his quiet acts of compassion beyond it. From the moment he arrived in Edmonton, he made it clear: hockey may be his job, but humanity is his mission.
Under his leadership, the Oilers have partnered with over a dozen community organizations, ranging from mental health initiatives and indigenous youth programs to local food banks and shelters. But Knoblauch didn’t just approve the partnerships — he personally showed up.
> “You’d see him at shelters at 6 a.m. on game days, handing out breakfast or helping unload food trucks,” said Tanya Ruiz, director of Edmonton’s Unity House Foundation. “No press. No cameras. Just Kris being Kris.”
The Ripple Effect
What truly moved the league and fans alike was Knoblauch’s personal launch of the “Hearts in the Stands” initiative, a program that brings underprivileged kids and families to Oilers home games — complete with transportation, meals, and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. The goal? Make hockey accessible to everyone, regardless of income.
> “There’s nothing more powerful than giving a child their first memory of live hockey,” Knoblauch said in a recent interview. “It’s about planting dreams.”
Beyond Edmonton, his generosity extended into Northern Alberta, where he helped fund the rebuilding of a youth sports center destroyed by wildfire. He also quietly donated to trauma recovery services for young survivors of domestic abuse — a cause close to his heart.
The NHL’s selection committee praised Knoblauch’s “transformative local generosity”, noting that his initiatives had measurable and lasting impact.
> “He’s not just cutting checks. He’s building relationships, investing time, and creating change. That’s leadership beyond the rink,” said Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Oilers Family Culture
Knoblauch’s approach has reshaped the Oilers culture from within. Players say he leads with empathy, values integrity as much as skill, and constantly reminds his team that “how you treat people matters more than your plus-minus.”
> “Coach doesn’t just talk about character — he lives it,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid. “He’s the kind of leader you want to win for.”
A Message for the League
When informed of his honor, Knoblauch deflected the praise.
> “This isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about what we can all do, together. If you’re in a position of influence, use it to make someone else’s life better. That’s the real win.”
As the Oilers gear up for another playoff run, Knoblauch has already won something far more meaningful: the respect, gratitude, and admiration of a city — and a league — inspired by his heart.