Celebrity ice hockey game at the North Pole scheduled for 2020

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‍Russia is hosting an ice hockey game at the North Pole in April 2020 that will see politicians, Hollywood celebrities, athletes and public figures compete in the same rink, said Vyacheslav Fetisov, Russia's First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Committee on Physical Fitness, Sports, Tourism and Youth, on Monday.

According to Tass, Fetisov discussed the idea earlier with Pavel Kolobkov, the country's Sports Minister. As a former NHL player and two-time Olympic ice hockey gold medalist, Fetisov wanted to combine the celebrity effect with the sport to remind more people of the global warming issue and the melting glaciers at the North Pole.

Melting ice sheet in Greenland. /VCG Photo

"The current global climate situation is unfavorable. I got the idea to bring together famous athletes, Hollywood stars, politicians and public figures to play ice hockey, sending a message to the world about how serious the situation is," said Fetisov at the press conference.

Getting enough celebrities to play ice hockey together won't be easy, not mention the game will happen in one of the coldest places on Earth. Even if people are willing to come, various difficulties including site building, material transportation, environment concerns and security can be baffling.

Fetisov said that it's necessary to acquire coordination with environmentalists. According to him, the global academic community has offered support and logistics have been mapped out. "Yet, we haven't had enough time to bring together the celebrities," added Fetisov.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin play ice hockey together, February 15. /VCG Photo

Back in August 2018, Fetisov planned to hold a celebrity ice hockey game at the Barneo Ice Camp of the North Pole featuring athletes and other public figures. He even invited Russia President Vladimir Putin, who loves winter sports. Last Friday, Putin played ice hockey with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Shayba Arena in Sochi.