Bidding Farewell to our hosts

Today was bittersweet, we got to see the boys again and continue on with our amazing trip, but sadly had to bid farewell to the Mantsalla families who took such amazing care of our boys over the last three days. 

My host family, Sari and Petre were amazing with sharing some photos.  They personally took in Will, Ben and Jack L.

Yesterday, the boys spent a couple hours at the rink playing shinny, mixing up the teams and having a fun game.  

This was followed by a BBQ of sorts at the local community center where they watched Finalnd play Slovakia.  The boys on our team exchanged some jerseys and got some nice T-shirts and pucks in return.

Life long friendships were born and I have no doubt that many will keep in touch.

We are now on the bus back to Helsinki where we will be taken on a three hour tour of the city. We have a 5pm dinner set at a local Viking Restaurant and then it is onto the World Junoir game tonight Canada vs Sweden and New Year's Eve in Senate Square in Helsinki.

The boys in their Shinny Game.

Alana and Sari our host Mom at the Canada Swiss game. New best friends.

Jani our main Finnish organizer in Mantsala on the right and another host Dad roasting sausage for the boys last night.

Sari and Petre with their new (used) NT jerseys. Many of the boys exchanged jerseys or simply gave theirs as a gift.

Last night the parents had a great night out at a local pub. 

Talk to you all again tomorrow.

Go Canada Go!!! Hope to be on TV tonight.

Free Day in Helsinki

Last night we hosted all the billet families at the Canada Swiss hockey game. It was a ton of fun. The boys were mighty tired after a long and exciting day of hockey.

We bid farewell to the boys after the game as they returned to Mantsalla to spend the next two nights with their host families. They are planning to have a shinny game of hockey mixing up the teams and then everyone is getting together at a local community center to watch the Finnish game.

The parents are spending a free day in Helsinki taking in the sights. 

We head to Mantsalla tomorrow morning to pick up the boys and  spend the afternoon  on a bus tour of Helsinki followed by a team dinner at a Viking restaurant and the Canada Sweden game.

A view from our seats at last nights game.

Champions

What a day, many memories made. After winning our semi finals 8-2, we prepared ourselves for what we knew would be a hard fought finals against  Hunter Hockey of Helsinki. 

We played a full NHL length game, three 20 minute periods stop time with floods between each period.

After quickly being down 1-0, the game opened up with a pace of play I've never seen for this group. End of first 4-3. End of second 6-5 and after a lengthy second intermission, due to some ceremonies etc, NT came out flying in the third with 4 goals to their one.  Final 10-6. Stands were packed and our billet families were there to cheer us on.

In all my years of being involved in Yourh hockey, this day and game might be at the top of the list. 

I am so incredibly proud of how our boys played, supported one another and most importantly had fun.

Onto Helsinki Ice Hall tonight to see Canada vs Switzerland.  More tomorrow.

Game Day #1 a huge success

What a great day for the boys, after a pretty good night, with some boys wide awake by 4am, we collectively started the day with an amazing Buffet Breakfast.

We boarded the bus at 8am and headed to the rink. We arrived in the darkness and had a great first game beating the 2001 Mantsalla side 9-1.

It was not the most exciting game, hockey wise, but to be playing in Finland with all that goes with that, it was a great way to start the day.

We had lunch in a small cottage style restaurant which was minutes from the rink. The fair was comprised of Onion Soup, Chili, sausage and a type of Breaded fish, along with Salad.

We headed back to the rink and prepared for what ended up being a. Great game. The first of two periods it was very close, 2-1. We scored two short handed goals in the span of 45 secs  to seal the win 4-1.

The boys met all their billets and are all now happy and home with their families. 

The parents are on our way back to the hotel and have opted to take in the Canada Denmark game tonight.

We are back at the rink tomorrow for the Semi Finals at 9:40am.

So far an amazing trip.

Boys on the bus to the game

Before game one wearing our travel home Whites.

Outside the rink before lunch.

Ty doing what Ty is so good at, making friends with the other teams goalie.

End of Day one. What a great start!!

After a very long day of travelling, we arrived safely and in one piece in Helsinki about 4pm local time. It was a quite flight for most as everyone seemed to hit the wall and have a sleep. We got a first taste of winter upon arrival. It was -4C and light flurries at the airport. The only, we hope, small setback was PC's and Ian's hockey bags did not make the flight from Heathrow to Helsinki. We are told that they will arrive by morning. Fingers crossed.

Maarrt who is Greg's (our tour leader) counterpart on the Finnish side, met us at the airport with our coach driver and got us all sorted and en route  from the airport to the hotel. We arrived at Soko Presidente our hotel about 5:30pm.

Everyone unpacked and we met in the hotel restaurant for a great team dinner.

Following Dinner, Greg, the boys and most of the parents went on a wonderful walking tour of downtown Helsinki. It was great to get some fresh air after a long day.  The following pictures were taken in the market area of Helsinki.

After close to 24 hours of travel and settling in, the boys and most of the parents  :) called it an evening around 11pm.  Big day tomorrow. We have a team breakfast at 7am and then board the bus for Mantsella at 8am for our first puck drop at 10:10am.  Look for live tweets during the game @JamieLougheed

All the boys head home with their billet families at the end of the day tomorrow. 

Have a great day everyone.

Jamie

London Calling

After a great check in, thanks Greg!! and an uneventful flight we have landed in London and are now in a 4 hour layover waiting for BA 794 to Helsinki which departs at 11:15am.  If one has never been to Heathrow, going from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 is an adventure. All travellers accounted for.  Now it is just wait and try and stay awake.  Passing the time among the group varies from a beer at the English pub to a good old Starbucks to Bangers and Mash.  Unfortunately for some, Harrods has been located.

Next check in will be tonight as we arrive in Helsinki.

48 hours but who is counting #Herewego

Hi Team, It is hard to believe but in 48 short hours we will be assembling at the airport as we prepare to lift off for what I am know will be a trip of a lifetime for many.  Last minute packing is underway, don't forget to get your skates sharpened and to double check you have all your equipment.

I thought for those that are going to be following that I would share some key pieces of information.

1. I plan to use my Twitter handle extensively while I am away @JamieLougheed. Although I will update the blog once a day if you wish more immediate updates, please follow me on Twitter.

2. I have tried to find a tournament website but no luck. If I find one, I will post via the blog and twitter

3. As I mentioned in an earlier email and for those just tuning in. We will be shown on air during the Sweden game on New Years Eve. Game starts Toronto time at 1pm on TSN. #herewego

Below is a picture of where we will be watching Team Canada begin their quest for the Gold on Tuesday. #Herewego

I wish everyone a Happy Holidays and enjoy the next couple of days with friends and family.

Getting Ready for Departure

Welcome to our Blog. It is my hope to post daily about our adventures with some photos and story line to keep all those up to speed on what we are up to. A huge thank you to our parents for all their hard work, fundraising and commitment on many levels to making this dream a reality. I am confident that the boys will return from this trip with memories to last a lifetime.

Its hard to believe that we only have three short days to go until we depart. The team got their Travel Jerseys yesterday and it was obvious by their reactions that the reality of the adventures about to begin had started to sink in. Thanks to Coach Rob, we had a great practice. One more day of on ice prep to go today at UCC (Olympic Pad) before we bid farewell for Holiday celebrations with family and friends, before coming back together on Boxing Day at 3:30pm at Terminal #3 Pearson International.

Greg will be talking to the boys today about what they can expect from the trip, Finnish and Swedish customs and what life in a Finnish home might be like.

Del La Salle - Team Jerseys Handed Out - Boys are pumped and ready