Four Finalists Named for NHL Stick Tap for Service Program

The NHL and Navy Federal Credit Union unveiled the four Stuck Tap for Service finalists. The program recognizes the community service of hockey fans and military members.

Four hockey fans and members of the U.S. military are finalists for the NHL Stick Tap for Service program and will get to help causes of their choice.

Since the beginning of 2023, the program has received more than 1,000 nominations of hockey fans and members of the military who have made outstanding contributions to community service. A panel of judges then narrowed those nominations down to four finalists, which were announced on TNT on May 20 during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.

"Hockey fans across the game know that a tap of hockey sticks between players on the ice is a sign of applause," the NHL said in a statement. "Through the continued success of this partnership, the Stick Tap for Service program highlights the incredible contributions of hockey fans and military members."

This year's finalists in the fifth year of Stick Tap for Service, presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, are Chris Martin of the Washington Ice Dogs, Charlie Gill of U.S Hockey Players Support Our Troops, Phil Foster of the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors and Jason Griego of the Vegas Veterans Hockey Foundation.

The grand prize winner will receive a $30,000 donation to charity and tickets to this year's Stanley Cup final. The second-place finalist will be rewarded with a $10,000 donation to charity, while the next two runners-up will receive a $5,000 donation to charity.

Each finalist will be featured on ESPN's hockey show, The Point, on Tuesday, but fans can also learn more about each finalist at nhl.com/info/stick-tap. The panel of judges will then review the initial nominations and take one more look at the finalists before crowning the winner on The Point on Monday, May 29.