BUFFALO, N.Y. — The 11 Day Power Play Community Shift will return to LECOM Harborcenter this week after playing outdoors at Riverworks for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cancer fundraiser consists of one continuous game of hockey running day and night for 11 consecutive days.

What You Need To Know

  • 2,000 skaters will play three-hour shifts in a hockey game that will last for 11 days
  • In its sixth year, the event has raised $8M for WNY cancer efforts
  • Beneficiaries include Roswell Park, Oishei Children's Hospital, Make a Wish and Camp Good Days

"Everyone in our community has been affected by cancer," said Amy Lesakowski, co-founder of the 11 Day Power Play. “Our family in the last 15 years has been tremendously, and the 11 Day Power Play came out of that."

Roughly 2,000 skaters will take over Harborcenter and play in three-hour increments on two sponsored teams, with jerseys donning the fundraiser logo to be framed and plated with their name at the end. Lesakowski says this is all part of their effort to thank their players.

"Our players work really hard fundraising all year, and they play a three-hour skate, a three-hour hockey game that doesn't stop," Lesakowski said. "It’s an intense shift for three hours but it’s nothing compared to what cancer patients go through. And our players play in multiple shifts, not just one. So it’s amazing to see how hard they work both on and off the ice to help fight cancer."

The Sabres, in partnership with Roswell Park, have donated the entirety of the 11 days of ice time to the event. In six years, the event has raised $8 million for cancer research and support in Western New York.

Opening ceremonies begin Thursday at 6 p.m. and will feature activities for the whole family. Spectators are encouraged to stop by the rink at any time of day through culmination on July 3.