Six British Columbia Hockey League products helped set a world record Saturday when they took part in the the Big Chill at the Big House outdoor hockey game.
Ben Winnett (Salmon Arm SilverBacks) of the Michigan Wolverines, Derek Grant (Langley Chiefs), Zack Josepher (Penticton Vees), Trevor Nill (Penticton), Matt Grassi (Salmon Arm) and Kevin Walrod (Cowichan Valley Capitals) of the Michigan State Spartans laced up for the game at Michigan Stadium that was played in front of a record 113,411 fans.
An official from the Guinness Book of World Records was on hand to certify the attendance. The game also set an NCAA record for attendance at a collegiate sporting event of any kind.
“I think it's tremendous that graduates of our league get chances to participate in events like this,” said BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale. “I hope our current players took note of the game and realize the opportunities that are out there.”
Michigan won the game 5-0 with Winnett setting up what would prove to be the winning goal in the first period. Grant and Grassi started the game for the Spartans.
The ice surface was an Olympic-sized 200 feet by 100 feet as opposed to 200 x 85 that most college and professional games are played on in North America.
The previous highest attendance at a hockey game was at the IIHF World Championships in May of this year in Gelsenkirchen, Germany when Germany played the United States in front of 74,544 fans.
