This November, teams across Calgary are gearing up once again for the Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) tournament, raising funds to support Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, YWCA Calgary, Inn from the Cold, and Trellis Society. Together, these four organizations create housing, shelter, and community supports that help people build better futures.
One game, one goal, one family at a time.
A game with purpose
At first glance, it looks like a regular hockey tournament. But every pass, every shot, and every cheer from the stands adds up to something more: hope.
Hockey Helps the Homeless brings together local players and retired NHL pros for a pro-am style tournament where 100% of net proceeds stay in the city where they’re raised. It’s a model that channels Canada’s favourite sport into tangible impact for those experiencing or at risk of housing insecurity.
In Calgary, that means real change for local families. Over the past decade, the tournament has raised more than $500,000 for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, helping to build safe, affordable homes where children can grow and parents can plan for their future.
From the ice to the build site
When the final whistle blows, the real transformation begins.
Funds from the Calgary tournament help Habitat build homes that are energy-efficient, affordable, and designed for stable futures.
For families like Mildred’s, who recently moved into their Habitat home, that stability means more than just a roof overhead — it means freedom, and the chance to finally exhale.
“Saving for a down payment was like chasing a carrot on a stick – save a tiny, but then the house prices skyrocket. Homeownership means freedom. Freedom from the stress and fear of not knowing if homelessness would be around the corner.”
That sense of relief, the quiet joy of having a place to belong, is what drives the tournament each year. It’s where the rush of the game meets the power of community.
More than one way to build stability
When HHTH raises funds in Calgary, those dollars stay local by supporting organizations that make housing possible at every stage, from emergency shelter to the keys to a new home.
- For Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, that means building safe, affordable homes where families can put down roots and plan for the future.
- For YWCA Calgary, it means supporting women and children as they rebuild their lives after crisis.
- For Inn from the Cold, it means providing families with shelter and the support to find lasting housing.
- For Trellis Society, it means helping youth and families connect to stable housing and community programs.
11 years strong and still skating forward
This year marks the 11th consecutive year that HHTH Calgary has supported Habitat Southern Alberta.
That’s 11 years of volunteers, donors, sponsors, and players uniting to make sure more Albertans have a place to build their lives.
The tournament may last a day, but its impact is felt all year long.
Every goal scored helps families move closer to their own new beginnings—and every year of partnership brings Southern Alberta one step closer to a future where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home.
Get involved
The annual tournament continues to show what’s possible when our community comes together for a common goal. If you’d like to learn more about the event or explore ways to get involved, reach out to Michael Tseng, event organizer, at michael.tseng@canadalife.com.
