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A Fort Saskatchewan hockey player skated in the Kids World's Longest Hockey Game a few weeks ago.
13-year-old Jaxson Coombs, who plays for the U15 B Rangers, hit the ice to help raise money for the Ben Stelter Fund.
"My dad's friend invited me out to play," said Coombs. "I think I joined because it was a good cause."
About 80 kids between the ages of 11 and 16 took part in the three-day non-stop event in Strathcona County. Of course, nobody played the full three days, instead subbing on and off in shifts.
Coombs says he had the opportunity to play hockey at some rather unusual times.
"I had one [shift] at 1:45 a.m. and another at 2:15 a.m.," said Coombs. "I would eat, get undressed on the way home and as soon I got home, I would shower and go to bed."
"The first shift or two is pretty fast but as the shifts went on it went slower and slower."
The reason for the game happening was to support the Ben Stelter Fund, an initiative that raises money for the Stollery Hospital and honours the late Oilers fan who captured the hearts of many during the 2022 NHL playoffs.
Stelter passed away last summer at the age of six after a years-long battle with cancer.
"I first heard of him last year around playoffs when he would go to Oilers games," said Coombs.
The event was very successful, surpassing its fundraising goal of $250,000 and breaking the record for the world's longest hockey game by kids at 55 straight hours.
The final score was 752-708 in favour of Team Cure, but Coombs says he wasn't focused on winning.
"The weekend wasn't really about scoring goals, being the fastest skater, winning or losing," said Coombs.
"We came together to play for kids who couldn't play, who are stuck in the hospital."
In the end, it was something that Coombs says he will remember for the rest of his life.
"It felt pretty good to be a part of something like that," said Coombs. "We were pretty close to reaching $300,000."
"I've had a lot of hockey memories and I think this one is one of the most memorable. Being able to be part of an event like this is pretty great."
To learn more about the Ben Stelter Fund, click here.
