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Day 1: November 13, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden
Day One - G & D team kick-off tour in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden…
It was an early rise on day one for the NHLPA Goals & Dreams crew as we were treated to some great sights around the quaint town of Ornskoldsvik. Although it is only day one, we are already amazed by some of the great experiences and sights we have taken in.
Driving by Victor Hedman's parents’ house, we noticed their driveway was
fittingly equipped with a “reserved parking spot for Tampa Bay Lightning
fans.”
Atop Varvsberget (Vars mountain), we were treated to some of the most beautiful
sights of the town. The calmness and views of the Baltic Sea were absolutely
incredible and left this group speechless, (which is pretty hard to do when
you are traveling with P.J. I don't think he has been quiet for more than
2 minutes this trip!) s
The short trip back down the mountain led the crew to a small outdoor rink, complete with a chain link fence (acting as the boards and glass) and overhead lights (which were needed as it is completely dark by 4:00pm local time here). As the group stood in the parking lot we could see a concrete floor nearby, which was framed by relatively new looking hockey rink-boards that just happened to be donated by the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund a few years ago. The Baltic Sea once again acted as the back-drop to the scenic view. Markus talked glowingly about the rink where he fine-tuned his hockey skills and made lifelong friendships. His stories included his long walks in his equipment to the rink, watching the Sedin twins hanging out as little rink rats and countless games against Forsberg under the lights.
Following the visit to the outdoor rinks, it was time to meet with the youth hockey players and make our first donation of the tour. When Markus walked into the dressing room to talk to the young hockey players from the Ornsköldsviks Hockeyklubb, you could hear a pin drop, and could see the look of awe on each of the kids’ faces. The local kids, and their parents, are thrilled to have their local hero back in the community.
In addition to spreading words of wisdom, Markus, along with P.J. and Rob were handing out brand new equipment to deserving kids. We proudly donated 75 complete sets of hockey equipment on behalf of the players. We donated 50 sets of brand-new equipment to the Ornsköldsviks Hockeyklubb and another 25 sets of equipment to Jarveds IF.
A pre-game speech by P.J. and Rob pumped up the kids before they headed out on the ice. After a pro-style warm-up, Markus, Rob and P.J. made an equipment presentation to Antila, President of the Ornsköldsviks Hockeyklubb.
The boys put on a great show for us. A few dangles reminded the former NHLers of themselves growing up. (Well maybe not Stock, he played more the dump and chase style of game.)
Markus' father Sture came out to help with the gift-giving as did fellow Ornskoldsvik resident and former NHLer, Nicklas Sundstrom.
Gunilla Eklund, Manager of Ornskoldsvik Hockey Club, told us that this is "a fantastic day for this city".
We are currently having a bite to eat at O'Leary's, a popular Irish bar, before we hop on a flight to Stockholm. We depart first thing Saturday morning to meet up with Jyrki Lumme and Esa Tikkanen in Helsinki.
‘til Helsinki,
The NHLPA Goals & Dreams crew.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams in Sweden
Over the last 10 years, Swedish players have gone to great lengths to give back to grassroots hockey programs in their respective hometowns. Numerous Swedish hockey programs have benefited from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. The players generosity has given hundreds of children the ability to play this game.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $700,000 CDN in Sweden, including hundreds sets of hockey equipment and thousands of dollars in arena upgrades to hockey organizations and arenas throughout Sweden. A few of the programs supported by the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund include:
- Valbo Hockey Club – 50 sets of equipment – Nicklas Backstrom
- Enkopings SK Hockey’s Tre Kronor Hockey School – 50 sets of equipment – Niclas Havelid
- Mattias Ohlund Hockey Program and Pitea Hockey Club – 50 sets of equipment – Mattias Ohlund and Tomas Holmstrom
- Gagnef HC – 50 sets of equipment – Johan Hedberg
- Bajen Fans Hockey Club – 30 Sets of equipment / Premiere Game Tickets – St. Louis Blues & Detroit Red Wings players
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Day One - Markus Naslund Talks
Day One - G & D Chairman, Devin Smith Addresses
Day One - Naslund, Zamuner and Stock Present Day One - NHLPA Goals & Dreams: Young Sweden Hockey Players Take to Ice
NHLPA Goals & Dreams Crew Talks with Swedish |
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NHLPA Goals & Dreams facts:
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