Hockey players of all ages and skill levels have been hitting the ice, getting ready to take part in the second annual 11 Day Power Play Community Shift, the week-and-a-half-long hockey game founded by Mike and Amy Lesakowski to raise money to help in the fight against cancer.

"As I tell everyone, my wife Amy does all the work. She's a force,” Mike Lesakowski said. “We were out last night having dinner and we were talking about it and I can't believe we are three years in to it. We were just going to do one event and raise $1 million for Roswell and now it's turned in to a community event with 2,500 players. It's surreal and I couldn't be more proud."

The first 11 Day Power Play took the ice back in 2017, with 40 players out to break a record for the longest game, while raising money for a cause that touches so many people. Pete Merlo was one of the original 40 players.

"Well Roswell saved my life,” he said. “I had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball. It was benign. I didn't have to go through chemo and all that. So recognizing what Roswell brings to the table. They do God’s work there and being associated with Mike and Amy and knowing them through hockey and being a part of this event and paying back to Roswell. It's been awesome to be a part of this and seeing the energy become contagious, it’s almost become exponential."

What started with 40 hockey friends wanting to do some good has blossomed into an event that got hockey fans looking to do their part in once again raising over $1 million.

"You know, cancer has touched everybody in some way or another so there is a reason,” Merlo said. “I know there are a couple of guys that have got the skates and started back up again just to play on my team this year."

"I have three teams. I have a work team, I have an old guys’ teams of guys that use to play hockey when we were kids, and I have a Fredonia Alumni team,” Lesakowski said. “Every one of those has guys on it that started playing hockey again just to come in to town and play in the event. There was a guy here that hadn't skated in four years. He's on two teams. And it's healthy, playing hockey and raising money for great causes. Roswell, Make A Wish and Camp Good Days. You couldn’t find more deserving better beneficiaries."

The puck is set to drop of the 2019 11 Day Power Play Community Shift July 5 at 6a.m. at HarborCenter.