Sertich Still Skating at 95

Duluth Man Holds Guinness Record as World's Oldest Hockey Player

Spotting Mark Sertich on the ice is easy, thanks to his trademark handlebar mustache.  The 95 year old Sertich skates three days a week at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center, and he’s easily the oldest on the ice.  Not just in Duluth either, as the Guinness Book of Records lists Sertich as the World’s Oldest Hockey Player.

“There were a few people out there that claimed to be the oldest,” said Sertich. “They were in their 80’s, so I decided to take a crack at it and see what happens.”

For Sertich, playing hockey is about relationships, and he’s forged plenty on the ice.

“To me the most important part is the friends that I’ve made playing hockey,” said Sertich.  “I think it would be pretty hard to find a better group of fellas to have as friends.  The fellas I’m skating with now have been together for a quite a few years, I call them my hockey family.”

Part of his “hockey family”, 63 year old former National Hockey League player Butch Williams has known Sertich since he was a boy.

“My father was involved with the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association, and Mark was as well,” Williams said.

According to Williams, Sertich holds his own against much younger players.

“Some of the things he still possesses, his instinctual abilities are still very much intact,” said Williams.  “That helps him participate at a very high level of hockey.  This isn’t the NHL by any means, but it’s still a very good level of hockey for someone that’s 95 years of age.  I think it’s a real inspirational story.”

In his eighth decade of playing, Sertich says hockey keeps him young.

“To be able to associate with a younger group of people I think is very beneficial,” he said.

Because he recently celebrated his birthday, Sertich’s friends plan on re–submitting him to Guinness, in essence breaking his own record.  It’s a process they hope to continue for many years to come.