The Cleveland Monsters announced today the launch of Project Lake Blue, a new sustainability initiative focused on protecting and celebrating Northeast Ohio’s freshwater resources – the same water that provides the foundation for the sport of hockey.

Through Project Lake Blue, the Monsters will activate across three key areas: education, action and stewardship.  The initiative will use the team’s platform to raise awareness of the importance of freshwater to the region and the sport of hockey, bring fans and the organization together through hands-on volunteer efforts and help build a culture that values and protects Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River as essential to Northeast Ohio’s future. 

“Project Lake Blue is a natural extension of who we are as a team and where we play,” said Cleveland Monsters Chief Marketing Officer Ben Adams. “Lake Blue isn’t just one of our colors – it represents the freshwater that shapes this region, our community and the game of hockey. This initiative allows us to connect our brand to something bigger, and to engage our fans in protecting the resource that defines Northeast Ohio.”

Project Lake Blue is anchored by strategic partnerships with organizations working at the forefront of freshwater and ocean conservation.  The Cleveland-based Fresh Water Institute was established by Cuyahoga County in 2024 to catalyze the region’s culture of freshwater stewardship and position Northeast Ohio as a global leader in water innovation. The Monsters are also a part of Ocean Conservancy’s Protect Where We Play initiative, a coalition of sports and entertainment organizations mobilizing fans to protect the world’s water systems – from oceans to inland freshwater resources like the Great Lakes. 

“The Fresh Water Institute is proud to partner with the Cleveland Monsters to celebrate our region’s freshwater resources and to amplify the important efforts local organizations are leading to restore and protect our waterways,” said Cuyahoga County Fresh Water Institute Director Emily Bacha. “Project Lake Blue provides an exciting platform to educate and engage fans as we collectively grow our region’s culture of freshwater stewardship.”

Project Lake Blue builds on the sustainability efforts of REGreen at Rocket Arena, focusing on waste minimization and diversion, responsible resource management, and fan education and engagement of environmental stewardship. Fans can take action alongside the Cleveland Monsters organization on Wednesday, April 8, through a volunteer action day hosted by the Monsters and Eriesponsible. Interested parties can sign up HERE.

Click here to view the Monsters Project Lake Blue PSA launch video released this morning. 

Timed with World Water Day (March 22), the initiative will debut during Project Lake Blue Night presented by Wild Republic on Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. when the Monsters take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at Rocket Arena.  

Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. – Project Lake Blue Night presented by Wild Republic

Project Lake Blue Night, the sustainability-focused theme night presented by Wild Republic, will bring the initiative to life through a series of fan-facing activations, partner activations, and in-game storytelling.  

The Monsters will host a special speakers panel providing an exclusive look at the launch of Project Lake Blue pregame in Gilly’s Bar in Loudville. Speakers include Cleveland Monsters Chief Marketing Officer Ben Adams, Rock Entertainment Group Vice President of Sustainability Danielle Doza, Cuyahoga County Fresh Water Institute Program Director Emily Bacha and Ocean Conservancy Chief Brand and Communications Officer Jenna DiPaolo. Tickets including access to the pregame speakers panel and the game are on sale now here.

On the concourse, fans can connect directly with organizations leading freshwater conservation efforts including the Port of Cleveland, the Ocean Conservancy and the Fresh Water Institute. Throughout the game fans will be entertained with Project Lake Blue content on Humongotron, including a new public service announcement, interactive freshwater trivia, and recognition of Project Lake Blue partners. 

The Footpath Foundation, a Cleveland-based non-profit whose mission is to connect kids with nature to develop personal growth and improve access to the natural world, will be on-hand to accept a $10,000 grant from the Monsters Community Foundation. Additional grant opportunities are available to non-profits whose missions and programming align with the goals of the Cleveland Monsters and Project Lake Blue.  Click here for more information regarding grant applications from the Monsters Community Foundation. 

Fans can bid on the night’s auction of autographed and game-worn items, including glass drinkware. Auctions can be accessed via the Monsters’ DASH platform, running from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Items can be viewed at the Community Corner on Street Level in Rocket Arena across from Portal 6. The beneficiary of the night’s 50/50 Raffle is BikeMS Team Left-Hand Brewery. Tickets for the night’s 50/50 Raffle will be available for purchase via volunteers along the concourse or online from 5:00 p.m. through the second period. 

Center Ice, the official Team Shop of the Cleveland Monsters, will offer a collection including a tee, hoodie, coaster and bottle opener.  A portion of the proceeds for this collection will benefit the Monsters Community Foundation’s Project Lake Blue initiative. Both the coaster and bottle opener items are made from used rink acrylic, highlighting reuse of hockey items and creating a unique way to own a piece of the game.

Stay up to date on all Monsters news with the Monsters Mobile App presented by University Hospitals available to download at the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Be sure to follow the Monsters on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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The Monsters and Rocket Arena are proud hosts of the 2027 American Hockey League All-Star Classic that will take place on Sunday, February 7 and Monday, February 8, 2027. For up-to-date information on the 2027 AHL All-Star Classic click  https://clevelandmonsters.com/ahl-all-star