Outdoor hockey players in Alberta break records, raise $1.84M for cancer research

SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — The world’s longest hockey game came to an end Monday morning after breaking multiple records this year.

Forty people took turns playing hockey on an outdoor rink 24 hours a day, seven days a week since Feb. 4 to raise $1.5 million for cancer research at the University of Alberta.

Mike Lowe was one of the participants. He raised nearly $65,000 on his own.

“My dad’s going through cancer right now, so it made me want to join,” said Lowe. “Just a good opportunity to meet all these guys and be part of something really special.”

They hit the 252-hour goal around 6 a.m. Monday morning and broke their own Guinness World Record.

Playing outdoor hockey on 12 straight days was a challenge with temperatures dropping between -40 and -55 degrees Celsius with the wind chill.

Pucks were shattering as players passed them along the boards, skate blades broke in half, pieces of masks fell off as glue let go and goalie pads cracked in the bitter cold.

“Way colder than we ever thought it would be and your body is sore, feet are sore, but other than that we’re OK,” said Lowe.

The players rotated day and night, taking short sleep breaks. But play never stopped.

Many of the players got by with a little help from their loved ones.

“My wife Pam and family have been here every day,” said Lowe. “And she’s been my rock, they’re awesome. If she hasn’t been with all the kids, she’s been here. So huge support and makes it worth while.”

Because of COVID-19, the players have been in quarantine living in trailers beside the rink and unable to go home to their families until the event is over.

“Just looking forward to getting back to our normal routine and having him around,” said Pamela Lowe. “These guys miss him terribly. There’s been lots of tears. We’re just excited to have him home.”