The Seattle Thunderbirds’ 15th annual Hockey Challenge raised more than $170,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska last Saturday at the ShoWare Center.

The challenge has now raised more than $4.3 million for the RMHC in 15 years.

Sponsors formed teams to raise money to play in the challenge. All proceeds directly support operations of the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, which provides a “home-away-from-home” for children and their families receiving medical treatment at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. In fact, last year the Seattle Ronald McDonald House provided accommodations for 700 families.

There were seven games played during the challenge on Saturday. The first five games Saturday were played by 10 teams from various groups at Microsoft. The Thunderbirds-Everett Silvertips game followed the five Challenge games on Saturday, capped off by the Celebrity All-Star Game.

“We are so thankful to all of the teams for their participation and earnest efforts to raise money and awareness for RMHC,” said Dianna Finnerty, executive director of RMHC. “The enthusiasm of the players and our partners the Seattle Thunderbirds is what has sustained this event for 15 years. We are happy to be celebrating the 15 year milestone and look forward to 15 more.”

“We are very pleased with the amount of money that was raised for the RMHC this past weekend,” said Ian Henry, T-Birds director of public and media relations. “The money raised from the Challenge goes directly to helping children and families dealing with life threatening illnesses. We hope that the illnesses these families have to face is made a little bit easier knowing that they will have a place to stay, at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, and that they can focus on getting their loved ones healthy.

“Being able to use the sport of hockey to help these families is something that, as an organization, we take great care to make happen.

“We owe a big thank you to all the teams that took part, all the volunteers that helped put the event on and all the T-Birds alumni and local celebrities that took part in the Celebrity All-Star game,” Henry said.