WATCH ABOVE: Larry Steel tells Kevin Karius what an honour it is to wear a patch dedicated to his son on his hockey jersey.
EDMONTON — Playing for Patrick.
Larry Steel is playing in his third World’s Longest Hockey Game, and this time it’s with a heavy heart. Three-and-a-half years ago, Steel’s 18-year-old son Patrick was playing in the AJHL in Canmore and passed away.
Organizer Brent Saik wanted to do something in Patrick’s memory, so all of the players are wearing patches with the number 19 on their jerseys in his honour.
“It was very emotional,” Steel said between shifts at the game Saturday. “Last time I played, in 2011 the last game, I talked to Patrick and he was probably going to be playing in this game here, but unfortunately he’s not here.
“To have the patches with his name on it and to honour Patrick in the game, it’s a special thing.”
The puck dropped on the World’s Longest Hockey Game bright and early Friday morning. Forty hockey players will dedicate the next 10 days to the game, while raising money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
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WATCH: Puck drops on the World’s Longest Hockey Game
Non-stop hockey will be played at the rink at Saiker’s Acres, east of Edmonton, until Feb. 16.
Directions: Take Wye Road east from Sherwood Park towards Ardrossan. Turn south on Range Road 220, you will see a Laughing Llama gas station. Continue south for about 2 kilometres. The entrance to Saiker’s Acres will be on your left ,with signage directing you to the parking area.
Since 2011, the World’s Longest Hockey Game has raised $2.1 million for cancer research.
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