SPORTS FLASHBACK 2002: Hockey marathon to set new Guinness world record

One has to admire the enthusiasm and commitment to their community of 40 Lorette recreational hockey players, as they get ready to attempt to set a Guinness world record later this month by playing a marathon 36-hour hockey game at the Lorette Sports Centre.

The world record attempt is being made as a fundraiser to support construction of a new sports and recreation complex in Lorette, which would include a new arena. The 36-hour hockey marathon begins Friday, March 22 at 7 a.m. and concludes 36 hours later, on Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

The game will be a Guinness Book of World Records attempt for the world’s longest hockey game. Each team will have a roster of 20 players, playing 36 consecutive hours. This roster of players must remain consistent throughout the duration of the game, with no substitutions or addition of players permitted.

Co-organizer of the game, Chris Maxemuck says talk about a fundraiser to fix the Lorette Arena began late one night in January, after a recreational hockey game, when a friend of his came up with the idea.

“He said, ‘hey Maxi, why don’t we do a Guinness world record attempt and try to raise some money to fix the arena.’”

A group of hockey players got together and from there everyone worked together with Maxemuck and John Messner to build something fantastic.

The time has come to start building a new sense of community spirit in Lorette and the surrounding area, Maxemuck said. Players are wearing their hearts on their sleeves and reaching for their wallets. Everyone is working towards the common goal of a stronger recreation program and improved facilities for young and old to enjoy for many years to come.

In the spring of 2000, the Lorette Arena tested positive for mould in the dressing rooms and shower area. Local government officials decided to rent trailers and have hockey players dress outside the arena, waiting until the mould problem could be resolved. Two years went by and nothing changed, until one night late in January, when the group of recreation hockey players decided to see what they could do to improve the situation.

The community has supported the players and organizers of the 36-hour hockey marathon 110 percent, according to John Messner, who teamed up with Maxemuck to get the ambitious project off the ground.

The game will be comprised of 72 20-minute periods, the equivalent of 24 consecutive hockey games.

Before the puck was dropped at 7 a.m., March 22, a substantial amount of money had already been raised, Messner said. Each player pledged a minimum of $250, for a total of $10,000. Community pledges, sponsoring individual hockey players, quickly doubled that total, with the result that over $20,000 has already been pledged. Supporters are reminded that tax receipts will be issued for donations exceeding $15.

A number of related events planned throughout the weekend include a meal and social following the completion of the game Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Also planned are a minor hockey shootout, face painting, a family breakfast on Saturday morning, cribbage tournament, a silent auction and 50-50 draws.

Players for the game range in age from 17 to 50. Average age for all players is about 33. The game will halt every four hours for a meal, donated by community restaurants.

Editorial note: Not only was the game one of the most successful fundraisers in the history of Lorette, raising in excess of $80,000, but the efforts of the players and volunteers sparked a renewal of community spirit as well. By the spring of 2002, with the help of countless volunteers, the dressing rooms were renovated and the province gave the all-clear to allow the arena to remain open.