Bantam and atom players from the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies are just a couple of weeks away from the trip of a lifetime.
Thirty-one players, many of whom hail from the West Shore, will embark on a 10-day tour of Iceland, Sweden and Finland where theyB次元官网网址檒l play a series of games against international competitors while, in effect, representing Canada.
Victoria Grizzlies head coach and general manager Craig Didmon and VP of hockey operations Lee Richardson will coach the teams, who fly to Iceland Aug. 7 to kick-off the trip.
Didmon coached a midget squad on a similar trip in 2014 and believes the experience was invaluable for his players, both on and off the ice.
B次元官网网址淧laying in a foreign country from a hockey perspective starts with being a little bit intimidating. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big difference,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hat I notice most when theyB次元官网网址檙e playing is how they adapt and change and how they take pride in the fact that theyB次元官网网址檙e [representing Canada].B次元官网网址�
Getting to see how kids play the sport on the other side of the world and the opportunity to enjoy cultural sights and experiences are other benefits to the trip, Didmon added.
In 2014, Didmon felt that the Finns played a physical style of hockey thatB次元官网网址檚 similar to the Canadian game, while the Swedes were more about smooth skating and finesse. While all matches were friendly affairs, it didnB次元官网网址檛 take much for the games to pick up in intensity.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of pride on the line,B次元官网网址� Didmon noted.
The players that will take part in the trip worked hard for the opportunity, raising anywhere from $80 to $3,500 over the past several months through car washes and bottle drives, with 20 per cent of players raising enough to cover the entire cost of the trip.
B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 all part of it. The kids are willing to go out and earn it,B次元官网网址� Didmon said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a life-building experience for them. TheyB次元官网网址檝e worked hard to get there and theyB次元官网网址檙e going to enjoy it.B次元官网网址�
Funds were also raised through 50/50 draws during the Victoria GrizzliesB次元官网网址� B.C. Hockey League playoff run and with an online raffle through Legacy Global Sports.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
