The hockey world and Duluth community lost a legend yesterday as the World’s Oldest Hockey Player Mark “Sertie” Sertich passed away. Last month he celebrated turning 99 years old with friends and family along with the Duluth Police and Fire department all participated in a drive by birthday celebration.

Each year on his past birthdays he has skated with friends and family at the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center. Besides on special occasions Sertich would hit the ice playing hockey a couple days a week in the Duluth firefighters morning games. According to WDIO he was often seen wearing his grandson Andy Sertich's pro hockey jersey from a team based out of Austria.

Sertich and his late wife Virginia raised seven kids together while he had a very long career working at Peavy Elevator in the grain business and he also served in World War II.

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Back in 2016 at the age of 95 the Guinness Book of World Records declared that Sertich was officially the oldest hockey player in the world. But years before he was declared this honor he earned the record by skating in a Senior Tournament  in California.

I have followed the story of Sertich for many years even though I can't skate let alone play hockey his enthusiasm for the game was absolutely infectious. He was admired by people and players of all ages and generations, his legacy will live on for years to come in a town that knows and loves hockey.

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