Event Supports Veteran & First Responder Mental Health in Partnership with NHL Alumni
Pittsburgh, PA – The Malone Family Foundation, founded by Pittsburgh Penguins alumnus Ryan Malone, will host the 4th Annual Black & Gold Breaking the Mold during Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month this May. The two-day event will feature the return of the Hero & Celebrity Hockey Game on Wednesday, May 13, and the Black & Gold Gala presented by Rivers Casino on Friday, May 15. New this year, the event will also include the inaugural Hero Tournament presented by Qintel on May 13.
Black & Gold Breaking the Mold centers on supporting the mental wellness of Veterans, Active-Duty Military, and First Responders – core to the foundation’s mission of using hockey as a vehicle for healing and connection.
Ryan Malone shared, “What makes this event special isn’t just the game or the gala – it’s the people… our heroes. We’ve built something where Veterans, First Responders, and Pittsburghers all come together as one team, supporting each other in ways that go far beyond hockey. Every year, you see real connections being made and real impact happening. That’s what keeps us going, and that’s what this is all about.”
The Hero & Celebrity Hockey Game on May 13, held at the RMU Island Sports Center, is open to the community. Game tickets are available for $22, with complimentary admission for Veterans, Active-Duty Military, First Responders, and their families. Prior to puck drop at 7:00 p.m., a Mental Health Rally will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m., featuring family-friendly activities, live music, and access to mental health resources. The game will also air on SportsNet Pittsburgh Plus and be available via stream at SNP360.
Participating celebrity players representing the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association include Ryan Malone, Jeff Carter, Nick Bonino, Chad Ruhwedel, and Adam Hall. Bryan Rust and Dan Muse from the Penguins will also be in attendance. Additional former NHL players, including Matt Bartkowski, Christian Hanson, and Reid Simpson, will join to support the cause. Honorary coaches include Greg Malone, Ken Wregget, Dave Hanson, and Mark Kachowski. Brett Keisel, Shaun Suisham, and Kevin Colbert, all with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers, will also be part of the gameday festivities.
Members of the Penguins Alumni Association, NHL Alumni Association, and local celebrities will also attend the Black & Gold Gala at Rivers Casino, which includes the V.I.P. Reception presented by Qintel. WWE superstar, broadcaster, and Pittsburgh native Corey Graves will serve as emcee with Jacob Ardown, Mark Madden, the Super Genius from 105.9 The X, and Olly Postanin from On the Bench, helping to co-host. The evening will feature powerful stories and speakers from the hero community.
Seven local hockey clubs will participate in Black & Gold Breaking the Mold including in the Hero Tournament presented by Qintel on May 13. These teams include the Pittsburgh Warriors, Pittsburgh Icemen, Pennsylvania State Police, It’s About the Warrior Foundation, the Johnstown Generals, Pittsburgh Fire Hockey Club, and the Pittsburgh Blueliners. Admittance is free to the tournament, which will run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the RMU Island Sports Center.
Brad Vig from the Pittsburgh Warriors, a team comprised of disabled Veterans, shared, “Events like Black & Gold Breaking the Mold are about more than just the score on the clock. They are about the camaraderie and the shared mission that keeps our Veteran community strong. At the Pittsburgh Warriors, we live by the mantra that ‘No Veteran Skates Alone,’ and this tournament and event are a perfect reflection of that brotherhood in action.”
Jared Pauli with the Pittsburgh Fire Hockey Club added, “We are truly honored and thrilled to be invited to participate in the inaugural Hero Tournament. We are equally excited to watch some of our teammates take the ice alongside the celebrities in the hero game. We are proud to be a part of the Malone family, and we love seeing this community grow bigger and stronger every year.”
The fundraising goal for Black & Gold Breaking the Mold is set at $122,000, representing the 22 Veterans lost to suicide each day in the United States. Last year’s event surpassed this goal, raising more than $150,000. Supporters can contribute by bidding in the Mental Health Auction launching mid-May, donating online, or visiting the foundation’s official shop. The auction will feature 100+ items including memorabilia autographed by U.S. Olympians, custom hockey artwork, a trip to the 2027 NHL Stadium Series, and more.
To purchase tickets or support the mission, text MALONE to 76278 or visit: malone.givesmart.com
A limited number of sponsorship and partnership opportunities remain available. To inquire, please contact amanda@hockeyishealing.org by Wednesday, May 6.
The current partner roster includes Tomahawk Charitable Solutions, Rivers Casino and The Landing Hotel, Confluence Financial Partners, Qintel, Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine, Case Specific Nutrition, PNC, Uncommon Grit SEAL Foundation, Morgan & Morgan, Window World, 84 Lumber, Perryman Company, Westinghouse, Louis Anthony Jewelers, The Mullett Fund, Mario Lemieux Foundation, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, Robert Morris University, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Manta Sleep, Ready® Nutrition, MindFuel, Brave Bean, YogaSix, Delta Air Lines, Wendell August Forge, Palmer Products, Wigle Whiskey Distillery, Labatt, Pittsburgh Brewing Company, Allora Wine Group, Barsotti Wines, Black Dog Wine Company, SportsNet Pittsburgh, and iHeartMedia.
Passionate about giving back to the game that gave him so much, Ryan Malone founded The Malone Family Foundation alongside his family in 2022. The mission of The Malone Family Foundation is to unleash the healing power of hockey by using it as a positive force in the lives of those we serve. For more, visit: hockeyishealing.org
Media Inquiries: Amanda Susko / amanda@hockeyishealing.org / 412.337.9184