Thanks for visiting my 11 Day Powerplay page!

My name is Ramin Hafezi. I have been playing hockey since I was about 12 years old. It started in my driveway with one of those plastic sticks and a tennis ball, and it was just me against my brother and our dog (she was conveniently named Sabre, and she always won too!). A short time later I got into roller hockey, because, well, why not? It was an easy evolution from the driveway. In High School I played on a roller hockey team of misfits that ended up winning the state tournament and advancing to the national championships in Las Vegas (we placed 5th in that tournament, what a ride it was!) In college, my love of hockey only grew, and once again I was a part of a group of misfits that commandeered the Penn State tennis courts on a nightly basis amid complaints from the tennis players and upset campus police officers. Eventually I started playing in multiple organized leagues (on real hockey rinks!) and a close friend even got me into recreational (beer) level ice hockey leagues (thanks Chris!)

Now, my friend Mark has asked me to be a part of the Crusaders 11 Day Power Play team and I couldn't be more excited. I personally lost my stepmother, Cynthia Hafezi, to pancreatic cancer in 2011. It was such an unexpected and traumatic loss, and I have had a tough time coping even to this day. Additionally, my mother-in-Law Rose Sperandeo is currently fighting a battle against stomach cancer. I jumped at the thought of doing something I love to fight against such a terrible disease. This tournament raised over $1 million for cancer research last year.

Please consider donating whatever you can. It is tax deductible and would be great for a business donation as well, so share the word with friends and co-workers. Thank you!

- Ramin

This summer, more than 1,700 pairs of skates will hit the ice to play in the 2018 11 Day Power Play Community Shift to help in the fight against cancer! The 11-day game will be played in continuous, four-hour shifts at HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. Each shift will feature two new teams. The purpose of this important event is to raise critically-needed funds for important local cancer causes, including: cutting-edge cancer research and wellness programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; supporting programs that improve quality of life for children, adults and families affected by cancer through Camp Good Days; and, granting wishes and amazing experiences to kids with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, by Make-A-Wish Western New York. Although it may be physically challenging for our players to play four continuous hours of hockey, it will be a walk in the park compared to what some people have to endure in their battle against cancer. Cancer is a disease that touches everyone, and The 11 Day Power Play wants to make a difference, a big difference. You can help make a big difference by supporting our players' efforts in The 11 Day Power Play Community Shift.

As part of our fundraising efforts, we also offer various corporate sponsorships, providing value greatly in excess of the financial contribution. Please contact Sara Schumacher at sara@11daypowerplay.com or 716-830-3805 for more information. Team sponsorships start at $1,100 and are first come, first serve. 

Proceeds of the 11 Day Power Play Community Shift will benefit our local families while supporting cancer research and wellness programs at Roswell Park, Make-A-Wish WNY and Camp Good Days.

Donations are graciously accepted either online or by check. Please write checks out to 'The 11 Day Power Play' and send to PO Box 4 Buffalo NY 14223.

Find out more about this event, or the 2017 World’s Longest Hockey Game, at www.11daypowerplay.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.