Four ways playing road hockey can make a difference

Every September, a powerful wave of purpose and energy arrives in Vaughan as thousands of people lace up their sneakers, grab their sticks and take to the pavement for a day of road hockey—it’s The Princess Margaret Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer (RHCC), fuelled by Longo’s. Although it features all the action, teamwork and playful competition you’d expect from Canada’s favourite sport, the event has a much deeper purpose: raising millions to fund life-saving cancer research.

Now in its 14th year, RHCC brings together NHL and PWHL stars, celebrities, doctors, corporate teams, cancer survivors and supporters to Carry The Fire for a world free from the fear of cancer.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs team captain Wendel Clark is among the celebrity players who return year after year because the cause is personal.

As a long-time supporter of The Princess Margaret, he plays in RHCC to honour the memory of his older brother, Donn, whose loss to cancer still weighs heavy. For his family, hockey is more than just a game—it’s tradition, passed down from their father. During long winters on the farm in Saskatchewan, Clark and his brothers grew up on the rink, learning to skate almost as soon as they could walk.

“We all have friends or family that are affected by cancer,” says Clark. “It’s why I’m committed to making a difference for those who are facing the same heartbreak.”

Here are four ways joining this one-of-a-kind road hockey tournament can make a meaningful difference.

Funding the future of cancer breakthroughs

According to the World Health Organization, new cancer cases are expected to rise globally by 77 per cent from 2022 to 2050, with millennials seeing the fastest-growing rates— underscoring an urgent need for innovation.

All teams raise a minimum of $10,000 to play, and proceeds raised through RHCC go directly toward leading breakthroughs in innovative treatments (like immunotherapy and theranostics), early detection and cancer mental health support programs. It’s one game you really can’t lose. From discovering stem cells—which made bone marrow transplants possible—to advancing T-cell research that powers cutting-edge cancer immunotherapies, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is leading research programs and transforming how cancer is understood, diagnosed and treated.

It’s a way to honour loved ones

“Not only is [RHCC] one of the best community events, but it’s also a day for me to remember my brother, who loved the game of hockey,” says Clark. As a coach and player for the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders, Donn was one of Clark’s biggest fans. “We were connected through hockey.”

Tributes like this echo throughout the tournament grounds. Many participating players bear the names of friends and family members lost or dedicate words of encouragement to those going through their own cancer journeys, a reminder that they’re not facing it alone.

You’re part of a huge, hope-fuelled movement

With over 1,500 participants and more than 150 teams, RHCC is the largest road hockey fundraiser in the world. But what sets it apart isn’t just the scale—it’s the atmosphere of connection and camaraderie. In every corner of the long-standing event, people are swapping stories, raising each other up, and celebrating small victories together.

“There’s a real feeling of togetherness at the event,” says Clark, regardless if you’re a celebrity or have never played hockey before. “The bigger we are as a team, the better chance we have at improving outcomes for cancer patients.”

You’ll want to come back

While participants can expect to play with—or against—notable celebrities, RHCC is a celebration at its core. From early-morning puck drops to the final buzzer, the event is packed with food stands, music and other exciting activities to keep spirits high. “Regardless if you’ve played ball hockey before or not, it’s about having fun for an important cause,” says Clark. “If you’re on the fence, come watch. That might be the spark that gets you playing next year.”

Carry The Fire. Join The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Wendel Clark and thousands of others on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Sign up a team today at roadhockeytoconquercancer.ca.