Fast-paced, highly competitive, and packed with elite talent, the Living Sisu Hockey League has become a summer highlight for hockey fans. But what truly sets the league apart is its mission: turning the power of sport into action against pancreatic cancer.  

Each summer Alex Atsaidis, Olivier Gervais, and Zach Fucale, Co-Founders of Living Sisu, organize the Living Sisu Hockey League (LSHL). Based in Montreal the league features NHL, AHL, and top QMJHL prospects, while the women’s division includes team Canada players, PWHL stars, and elite college athletes.  

Hockey fans flock to watch the games live or online, and every ticket sold supports Pancreatic Cancer North America.  Over the last few years, they’ve raised over $50,000 and helped fund early detection research and supports for pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers across the country.  

We asked the Living Sisu team to share more about why they’re so committed to the league and to raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer North America.  

Why are you so dedicated to raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer North America (formerly Canada)?

This cause is deeply personal to our team. Alex, our co-founder, lost his mom to pancreatic cancer when he was just a teenager. We’ve seen how pancreatic cancer can change lives suddenly and profoundly, leaving families with very little time and too many unanswered questions.

As a team, we feel a responsibility to use our platform to make a difference. Raising funds is about more than donations—it’s about driving awareness, supporting research, and making sure families don’t feel alone.

If LSHL can help move the needle, create hope, or support even one family, then everything we put into this league is worth it.

What do you wish more people understood about pancreatic cancer and how it impacts Canadians?

We wish more people understood how aggressive, and often silent, pancreatic cancer is.  

Many people are diagnosed late, with little warning, which leads to extremely low survival rates. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, lifestyle, or background.

The impact is of this disease is significant, yet awareness still lags behind other cancers. Families are forced to adapt very quickly, with little time to process what’s happening. That’s why research, early detection, and support services are so critical, and why continued funding matters.  

For supporters considering organizing their own fundraiser, what advice do you have?

Start with something you truly believe in and would commit to long-term. LSHL exists because it was built around shared passions, hockey, community, and giving back—not just fundraising. You don’t need a perfect plan or a huge event on day one. What matters most is authenticity, consistency, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in the mission.

One of our biggest learnings is that people don’t just support causes, they support experiences and communities. When people feel involved, whether as players, fans, volunteers, or viewers, they connect emotionally and it’s that connection that creates real and lasting impact.

What are you excited about as we look forward to this summer’s league?

We’re excited to see how the league continues to grow while staying true to its roots. Every summer brings a higher level of play, more engagement from fans, and a stronger sense of community.

Beyond the hockey, we’re excited about the atmosphere, the new activations, the live experience, and seeing familiar and new faces rally together for the same cause. LSHL is more than a summer training league, it’s a shared moment that people look forward to every year.  

To learn more about the LSHL, check out their website or follow along on their social media channels:
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