The World’s Largest Hockey Stick, a cherished member of the Cowichan community, left this world in pieces on Aug. 21, 2024. Stick lived a fruitful life, but finally succumbed to health problems resulting from age and woodpeckers.
Stick was born from Douglas fir in Penticton, B.C. in 1985, weighing a record 61,000 pounds. On August 21 of that year (the same day as its passing, but 39 years earlier), Stick was assembled in Vancouver where it went on to proudly live at the entrance of the Canadian Pavilion during Expo 86. Stick was a friend to tens of millions of people around the world and enjoyed posing with its partner, Puck, for countless photos.
After graduating from Expo 86, Stick moved to North Cowichan in 1988 following a Canada-wide competition. For the next 36 years, Stick made North Cowichan its home and remained on the east side of the Cowichan Community Centre until its passing.
Stick was 40 times the size of an actual hockey stick and was 62.48 metres long. In 2010, Guinness Book of World Records authenticated Stick as the world’s largest. Although plans for a new arena in Lockport, Illinois include a hockey stick that will be 14 metres longer, Stick died a proud record holder.
Stick enjoyed sunny days, bird defecation and greeting young hockey players carrying smaller sticks into the arena. Stick never let fame get to its head, humbly staying in the same spot with unwavering integrity, never refusing a fan photo.
Over the years, Stick held its blade high through many shots about its toll on community spending. After a recent survey from the Cowichan Valley Regional District disclosed it would take more than $1.5 million to keep Stick on life support, 70 per cent of some 3,000 respondents voted not to resuscitate.
Stick is survived by millions of people who drove past, thinking “that’s a big hockey stick.” Stick chose not be buried, opting instead to live on forever in souvenirs to be sold by its buyer, Genuine Collectables Inc. of Shawnigan Lake. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local charities and sports organizations.
In lieu of flowers, please support young athletes and respect all of nature’s sticks — big and small — in the Cowichan Valley.
