Fashionable on skates and on the catwalk, Colorado Avalanche players on Sunday went hand-in-hand with kids overcoming medical challenges during the annual Avs Better Halves Charity Brunch and Fashion Show at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.

The team enjoys participating in the event every year, said Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog.

Each year, the team comes together with charity partner Avs Better Halves to auction off team merchandise, signed memorabilia and, for the main event, host a fashion show for players to walk with medically-challenged kids.

“We always look forward to this,” said Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar. “We get to meet these awesome kids and walk the stage with them … and just seeing how big their smiles are, it brings so much joy to them.”

He added, “You want to have the team be a part of your community.”

Avalanche players walked with 19 kids and teens with histories of medical conditions: cancer, cognitive and physical deficiencies, brain illnesses, heart disorders and many others.

“That’s why we do this, to bring joy to kids’ lives,” said Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen. “It’s not only about hockey, it’s about being a role model for these kids.”

Earlier in the day, Avs players acted as servers for the event’s brunch.

When it came to the runway, kids and players alike showed off their style, synchronized dance moves and endless smiles.

“It’s probably the best event of the year,” added Rantanen. “Kids always like it so much that we enjoy it, too.”