Graves works in hockey and business operations for the New York Rangers, tirelessly giving his time and energy to the community. The former NHL forward who had 616 points (329 goals, 287 assists) in 1,152 games and won the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers (1990) and Rangers (1994) lives in Oakville, Ontario, but often visits New York to help with various programs, summer hockey schools and development camps.

The opportunity for Graves to give back by devoting 24 hours of his life was broached by Jim Flanagan. A lifelong Rangers fan, Flanagan met Graves, Mike Richter, Stephane Matteau and Mark Messier while working at Messier's leadership camp five years ago, and suggested renting a sheet of ice for 24 hours of hockey to raise money for local charities.

Graves agreed instantly.

"When [Jim] came up with this idea, I was excited," Graves said. "For me, just to see how many different groups of people and all the different people that are going to benefit from people playing hockey, that for me is the great power for the game to grow: what it can do for the hockey community."

Graves, Matteau, Pat LaFontaine, Arron Asham, Benoit Hogue and Colton Orr are among NHL alumni who will attend the fifth annual Hockey Helps marathon at Dix Hills Ice Rink in Dix Hills, New York, from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday to support charities including Hockey Fights Cancer, Soulful Living for Recovery, the North Shore Holiday House and Smilezone Foundation USA. The marathon has raised $1.5 million in the United States during the past four years and projects to raise $900,000 by the end of Labor Day weekend. Proceeds are generated through donations from corporations and fans along with on-site auctions, including a golf outing, a meet and greet with Rangers forward Kevin Hayes, and the opportunity to watch a Rangers game from a suite at Madison Square Garden with Graves and Matteau.

Seven men's teams and two women's teams will play 24 games in 24 hours, with two teams on the ice every hour. Fans can attend the games free of charge and watch teams including those created by sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and Northwell Health.

The concept is familiar to Graves, who co-founded Smilezone in Canada and holds similar events in Oakville every April. He's there for the entire 24 hours and takes part in select games.

"I can't say that I play well, but I usually play anywhere from 12 to 15 out of the 24 games that are played," Graves said. "I get to dump the puck in quite a few times. I don't back check very hard, but I do have as much fun as anyone."

The marathon also shines a light on the NHL Declaration of Principles, eight key ideologies aimed at rededicating hockey at every level, the value of a positive family experience and how the game is for everyone.

"This encompasses that," Graves said. "That is the most important part of the game. That's what's our game's all about and this embodies all those principles.

"For me that is just a special, unique part of hockey. It's a real strong bond amongst all hockey players. This is a celebration of hockey, celebrating the game and having fun. When you come to an event like the 24-hour Hockey Helps event, you see just how engaged people are, how much fun and positive energy. So many people circle that date on their calendar and it's one of those things you look forward to the entire year."

Flanagan is COO of PwC, the largest accounting firm in the world. Mental health, addiction and recovery always have been a topic close to Flanagan's family. His focus was amplified after his son's best friend, who played in the first year of the marathon, committed suicide.

Graves, Brian Leetch, Matteau and son Stefan Matteau, chosen by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (No. 29) of the 2012 NHL Draft and now a forward prospect with the Vegas Golden Knights, all participated the first year and helped raise $170,000.

"The platform continues to grow," Flanagan said. "The fact that we're going to be able to raise that much more money and have that much of a greater impact is awesome.

"I love the game and I love the causes that we play for, and I love the firm in which I work in, it's so generous in so many ways. To take those three things together and put them together and then share it in a way people don't get to do … you get to meet these extraordinary people who donate their time and effort and fame to play a game with people who rooted for them forever. But to do it in a way that is really all about helping people, what can be better than that?"

For more information and to get involved, visit HockeyHelpsMarathon.com.