NHL, NHLPA jointly donate $100,000 to Alberta flood-relief efforts

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NHL and NHL Players’ Association will donate $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with flood relief in Alberta, the organizations announced.

Calgary and the surrounding areas were affected by flooding last month that led to four deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

“It’s really unbelievable how widespread the damage is, and it is going to take a lot of work to get it all cleaned up, but everyone in the province has really pulled together to do what they can,” Flames forward and NHLPA representative Matt Stajan said in a statement. “This donation from the NHLPA and the NHL to the Canadian Red Cross will provide some much needed funds to help the city and the resilient people of Alberta on their long road to re-building.”

The Flames have said their arena, the Saddledome, will be ready by the start of the season. Asked about that situation after the league’s board of governors meeting recently, commissioner Gary Bettman deferred comment.

“We’ll worry about the Saddledome as we get into the summer,” he said. “The human toll really deserves the attention first.”

The donation will come from the NHL foundation and the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.