He has taken the NHL's charity initiative, Hockey Fights Cancer, and brought it to Dunedin.
Since its launch in North America in 1998, more than $US14 million ($NZ17.85 million) has been raised for cancer research.
Schuck (34), a former Dunedin Thunder player who has played ice hockey for 18 years, reached out to some friends and put two teams together for a fundraising match at the Dunedin Ice Stadium tonight.
As well a bunch of Thunder players, Canterbury Red Devils and Southern Stampede players are coming to Dunedin to play.
After Schuck's sister, Trista Townsend (38) was diagnosed with cancer, she was found to be carrying the BRCA1 gene - the hereditary gene given a wider public platform by actress Angelina Jolie last year.
Women carrying the gene are significantly more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer, while men carrying it have a higher chance of getting breast and prostate cancer.
''Trista got cancer two years ago, basically right on Christmas. She found a couple of lumps and went straight to the doctor . . . from there she had a mastectomy on one breast and had chemotherapy,'' Schuck said.
''When she found out she had the BRCA gene, she got the other breast taken off and the ovaries out, so she's had the works. She had the last of her surgeries [including breast reconstruction] about three months ago.
''You just don't think it's going to happen, especially at that age. It's so prevalent as well. Everyone you talk to has been affected in some way and that's why you want to do something to help out as much as you can.''
Schuck has not been tested for the gene, but said he will once he gets into his 40s or if he has a daughter.
The game will most likely be played in three 15min periods, and Schuck hopes to make it an annual best-of-three series next year, with added games in Queenstown and Christchurch.
Tickets for the 6.30pm match cost $15 for adults, $10 for students and $5 for children. All ticket proceeds go to breast cancer awareness.
The stadium has donated use of the venue and LJ Hooker has helped out with the uniforms.
- Robert van Royen
