Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukkah

Hope everyone has a wonderful remainder of the holidays home with their families.  Thanks so much to the rest of the adults on the trip, it was so great getting to know you all so well over the past little while.  Thanks to the boys.  I can't echo Mark's comments enough about the incredible experience and the thanks are owed immensely to the boys for making the experience so positive.  I always wonder before going on a trip like this about some of the things that could go wrong, but nothing did and that's all because of you guys.  Can't wait for the rest of our season together to see you continue to grow as teams.  Can't wait to get out and support the basketball team in their efforts to win Division 1.  You guys are awesome.  Especially can't wait to see how the hockey team does in the rest of our first CISAA season.  Regardless of how we finish, you guys have made this an incredible season already.  Enjoy your next week off.

Coach Z

What an experience...

Hi all...

My apologies for not blogging throughout the trip...my bad...we were just so BUSY! Instead, let me give you a retrospective view of our adventure...

First of all, you should all be very proud of the boys' comportment throughout the trip. They were hugely well behaved, respectful and considerate. That is, other than when they were on the court or the ice...then they were tough, competitive and did not back down from adversity! Not only did they make HSC proud, but they were great representatives of both their sports and their country. First class all the way!

The trip was so full of moments and experiences, it's hard to put it into words. However, here are a few of the things that will stick in my memory for years to come:

• The first hockey game against Kralupy...a back and forth game, tight right down to the last second, holding on for the win...and then both teams gathering at centre ice for a group picture...the players on both teams interspersed with their arms around each other. THAT is why we play sports.

• The evening walking tour of Prague in -12C weather...most of us eventually being unable to feel our extremities...and then you come to St. Stephen's Cathedral...and realize that it was worth the walk.

• Our experience in Breclav...hugely biased refs both on the ice and on the court. You realize that, although there are differences in the way the games are played between countries, it remains a very important matter of pride for our opponents to beat the Canadians...no matter how they did it. Remember boys...if it doesn't kill you, it just makes you stronger...

• The dinner feast we had in Breclav...creamed spinach, pork and potato dumplings...and having to take all the boys out to McDonalds as soon as we got back to the hotel!

• Walking around Vienna...and realizing that we were actually in one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world.

• The incredible warmth of the parents of the hockey players in Waldkraiburg...knowing I was the only Canadian spectator in the stands, they called me over to sit with them, offered me a hot cup of coffee, and applauded great plays by both teams. Forget what people say about crazy hockey parents...I love 'em!

• Chatting with Ron and Marie throughout the trip...and realizing that I wasn't the only parent who was having a blast!

• The way our basketball team stepped up even though they only had 9 players on the bench and were missing starters who could not make the trip...the pride they all took in each others' accomplishments...and the support they gave each other when times got tough. I don't know what they were like before this trip...but they definitely left a TEAM.

• Visiting Dachau...watching the how sober and thoughtful the boys were throughout the tour...and realizing how truly we lucky we are to enjoy the freedom to travel to Europe with our children.

• The fun the boys had with Marty, our tour guide (EVERYONE has a story about Marty)...knowing that most of them are now friends with him on Facebook and will continue to stay in touch with their friend overseas for many years to come.

• Having dinner after the hockey game in Waldkraiburg with the other team...a hearty feast of home-made soup and spaghetti made by the Mom's...getting to talk to the players on the other team...watching my son Danny get asked for a picture by both of the opposition goalies (who, by the way, were both girls)...and the polite, reserved, respectful reaction of his teammates...ummmm...NOT.

• Walking through the Christmas village in Salsbourg...window shopping all the hand-made ornaments and gifts...indulging in a bit of holiday spirit even though we were thousands of miles away from home.

• How much I appreciate Sage coming on the trip to keep the boys healthy...especially Danny, who cut his head open for 3 stitches playing mini-stick hockey in the hallway of the hotel. Experiencing the Czech medical system...and being very pleasantly surprised...trying to fabricate a cool hockey-related story to explain the injury.

• Buying several dozen game-used hockey sweaters from the German pro leagues for 10 Euros each (deal of the trip)...and then watching Dowdy put one on and get the hotel manager to pretend he is a team GM so that he can have a "draft day" picture taken...priceless...

• Seeing and touring castles, cathedrals, churches, palaces...all of which were hundreds of years old...watching the realization come to the boys that Canada really is a young nation.

• Watching how much our coaches (Z, Baker, James, Whitt) REALLY care...they care about the boys as players, as young men and, perhaps most importantly, as friends. Makes me wonder if the boys realize how lucky they are to have teachers and coaches like that...

• Last, but not least, as the trip was winding down, how the conversation naturally gravitated to...where are we going to go NEXT time? Oh, and it better be soon!

I could likely go on all night, but I've got wrapping to do (and I did not procrastinate...I WAS away for the past week, you know!). Let me sum up with my sincere thanks to HSC, the coaches and, most importantly, the players for an incredible trip. Allowing me to tag along and experience it with them was a truly memorable adventure and one I will treasure always. Oh, and I can hardly wait to go back too!

Mark

Trip full of memories

After seeing the HSC gang come through the doors at Pearson, we were so excited to hear all the stories! What a fabulous opportunity for the kids! Thank you to the coaches and Sage Kavander for making this trip possible!
The blog has been great and so have the pictures we've seen so far! Thanks to Ron Foxcroft for the emails keeping us up to date - made us feel part of the experience! Thank you to Mrs. Hood for the fabulous CANADA hats - a great addition to the jackets!
We wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and all the best in 2011.
Doug and Cindy Dimitroff

Thank you

On behalf of my family I would like to thank the coaches, nurse and parents accompaning the students for a memorable experience especially having the opportunity to visit Dachau.  This will remain in their hearts forever and will never be forgotten.  I look forward to this afternoon to welcome our students and hear about their new adventures.  Thank you for taking such good care of the students and giving them these wonderful memories. 

Reading the Wednesday update gave me shivers.....

Now that's a History lesson that will forever be etched in the minds of these young men .... A great big Thank You to the teacher chaperones for organizing and participating in this wonderful trip...This will be a trip of a lifetime....Merry Christmas and have a safe journey home... the Lindsay family......

An emotional and wonderful last day

Well, our last day here couldn't have been any better, even if the hockey team had won.  We spent the morning shopping on the Marienplatz then visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.  We got to see the recreated barracks that over 400 prisoners lived in at a time, which could barely fit our group of 35 inside followed by an incredibly visually draining film about Dachau which included real footage.  It was certainly tough to watch and mind-boggling to think that this actually happened.  Next we dropped the Basketball players off in Schwabing, a district of Munich, and headed 1 hour east to Waldkraiburg, home of Die Loewen (that's their Deutschland Eishockey League team).  This was an excellent game against a good team with by far the best reffing we've seen yet.  We fell 6-5 to the home team in a great game.  After the game, Die Loewen game-worn jerseys were made available to us for a whopping 10 €.  I think we bought up every one they had.  To top it all off, the players from the team we played joined us for dinner and their 2 female goalies insisted on getting a picture with one of our goalies Danny Davies, much to his red-faced surprise.
Tomorrow morning we make our long trip home, leaving here at 10am and arriving at 3pm EST.  We've all had an amazing time but are definitely looking forward to seeing all of you.  The weather here is fine and we should have no problem with our flight.  See you all tomorrow.
I have not seen the basketball team since we dropped them off, so unfortunately can not give an update on their game.  I will ask Mr. Whittard to do so when they get back to the hotel.

Monday Basketball...anyone know about the game?

What happened in the Monday Basketball game?? Results not posted...did that game get cancelled too due to bad reffing??

Have a great day in Munich. Hope that they cleared the runways for you! Be glad you are not flying from London!!

Good luck in the final games!

Glad to hear you are in Germany and ready for your last day! Enjoy! Good luck at the games...we are all at home anxious to hear all the stories! Have fun! Safe travels and we'll see you all at Pearson!

Hockey game cancelled in third due to ridiculously bad reffing

I won't spend much text on explaining this one, I'll let the boys explain when we get home, but suffice it to say the game was cancelled in the third period after an on-ice skirmish due to the ref losing control of the game.  It was pretty intense but the Canadians taught the Czechs a little bit about toughness.  The story will be much better in person.

Arrival in Munich

Well, we travelled from Vienna to Salzburg todaz and visited the Bad Durnberg salt mines as well as a downtown Salzburg.  Such a beautiful city and finally some warmer weather for walking around.  We are now settling into our hotel in Munich and preparing for our last full day here.  Can't believe we're almost done our time here.

Vienna Sounds Wonderful!

Hi Guys,

Love the images on the blog, and the on-going up-dates: Vienna sounds wonderful particularly at this time of year - very special. Good luck in Breclav.

Sounds like a great day!

It seems that eveyone must be on Europe time by now and are enjoying the sights! Good luck tomorrow HSC teams...we'll look forward to hearing about the games!
Have fun!

Safe and Sound in Vienna

Sorry about the lack of a post yesterday.  We were exhausted after a couple of long days.  Definitely recharged our batteries today on the bus ride from Prague to Vienna with a stop in Brno for some shopping.  Once here, we checked into our hotel and did a walking tour of downtown.  This city is unbelievably beautiful with all the Christmas decorations everywhere.  We then visited the Musik Haus, an interactive museum which kept us all intrigued throughout the hour long tour.  Then a nice dinner of Wiener (which we found out means Viennese after the German name for Vienna, Wien) Schnizel and potatoes and a desert which was to die for.  Tomorrow we tour the Schonbrunn Palace and visit the Christmas market downtown then head back into the Czech Republic to Breclav for both games.  Competition should be very good as with the last games.

Both teams lost their games on Saturday, hockey falling 7-4 to a strong team from Velke Popovice and basketball losing a great game 69-59 to a very good team from Kolin, both cities just south of Prague.  I will endeavour to update the blog properly tomorrow, but the internet connection at the hotel here is weak at best. 

Talked to them this morning

All is well, I got reports that both Basketball and Hockey teams lost their games yesterday.
About an hour ago our time, they were on the bus and going to visit a Mall.
Then off to Vienna on the bus.

We heard from son yesterday

Yesterday we heard from Phil at about 4:00 pm our time and he said that they had won their hockey game.  It was 10:00 their time and they were visiting with one another.  They had to get to bed by 12 because they would be travelling today to Vienna.

WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE????

Why hasn't anybody posted anything from Saturday? Has any parent heard anything? Please post!

What happened to Saturday??

anyone know how Saturdays games went?

We are so proud of all of you

It is wonderful to view the pictures and know that everyone is well and making us proud parents.

We (including Max) miss you and look forward to the pictures which tell us your stories. 

What incredible sports reporting!

Coaches--thanks for the play by play reporting...we feel like we are right there with you! I find myself holding my breath until the last paragraph!! It sounds like everyone is having a blast over there. No jet lag in this group!

Keep it up. We are all very excited back home. Good luck tomorrow!!

Awesome Day for HSC!

We are so proud of the HSC boys! Congratulations on the wins today! Sounds like both games were filled with excitement !!
Good luck tomorrow!

TOURING EUROPE....life is good!

Amazing news on both wins today..... loved the pictures....CANADA touques are great.... Max we miss you already .....score some goals for mom!

"I've never seen reffing like that in 40 years in the business and I'm IN the business" - Ron Foxcroft

The Senior Boys Basketball Team began their European Tour this afternoon against BK Kaucuk Kralupy, a very good rep team from a town just outside Prague, Czech Republic. During the first half, the boys worked hard to find their game and shake off the travel rust finishing in a 30-30 tie. Going into the second half, coach Whittard needed to work his magic as 3 of his players were already in foul trouble. Then things started to get interesting. The referees, two local boys from Kralupy, made some rather dubious calls and neglected to make several rather obvious infractions which effectively opened the door for BK Kralupy to climb back into a very threatening position. Our Trojans never quit, and in the face of tremendous adversity and what some fans who observed the game called "blatant cheating by the officials", the score at the end of the 3rd quarter was HSC 45-39 BK Kralupy. To start the 4th quarter our team was in serious foul trouble with 2 players having fouled out by the end of the 3rd. A 3rd and 4th player fouled out early in the 4th quarter, leaving us with no one left on the bench for the majority of the final quarter. Then, something magical happened, as our substitutes came into the game and in our hour of urgent need, stepped up and managed to withstand the oppositions onslaught of attacks to claim the day by a final score of 59-54.

Every player contributed in crucial ways throughout the game. Of particular note, Gagan Sandhu dominated under the glass, sucking up 11 rebounds and scoring 10 pts, going 4/6 from the free throw line.

Ron Foxcroft played point guard and led the team in outstanding fashion, scoring 21 pts in the first 3 quarters alone despite the fact that the other team had identified him as the player to stop and gave him some rather rough treatment accordingly.

Blake Levinson, Hasan Saleemi, Dale Dimitroff each scored 7 pts and played crucial roles at pivotal moments in the second half. These were career highs for both Hasan and Dale at the Senior level.

Adam Connolly scored 4 pts (career high), and played outstanding basketball coming off the bench in the 3rd quarter. Adam's tenacious defence and hard work helped to get us out of a number of jams as the opposing team picked up the pace and tried to steal the game during the final moments of play.

Michael Owen also scored 3 very important pts and helped the team to fend off the opposing team during the 4th quarter.

Although Amed Awan and Jeff Waters did not score any pts, they both played very important roles throughout the game, winning battle after battle for the rebounds at both ends of the court.

This game truly brought the team together as they had many challenges to overcome.

It should also be mentioned that the Hockey Team played an important role, distracting the opposing team on almost every free-throw attempt down the stretch.

Today was a very good day for HSC Athletics and I'm proud of all our boys.

What surprises could day 2 possibly hold for us? Stay tuned

Way to go HSC. Hope tomorrow's game goes just as well!!! Good Luck Guys...GO HSC GO

Way to go Trojans! Hockey and Basketball Victory!

Well, I've never before played, reffed, or coached in an arena that had the temperature listed on the scoreclock...until now.  It was -2 at the opening faceoff, that's right, inside the arena.  We got a pep talk from the Mayor of Kralupy and the President of the Kralupy Ice Hockey Club followed by both National Anthems and a ceremonial puck drop, which Max let the home team win.  The boys were incredibly pumped for their opening game and came out firing to a 3-0 lead after the first period.  Colin Babington scored at 4:54 and 18:09 and Jacob Reid threw one in between at 14:08.  The clock runs up over here, in case you were wondering.  In the intermission, the Kralupy coach must have given a much better speech than Coaches Z, Baker, or Reid because the home side scored 4 in the second to take the lead.  Babington finished off his hat trick with :47 left in the second and HSC limped into the intermission, coaches not at all happy.  A forecheck adjustment during the break aimed to stop the odd-man rushes paid off and stymied the Kralupy breakout early in the third leading to Jacob Reid's go-ahead second goal.  Kralupy answered again with less than 7 minutes in the game to make for an interesting finish.  With exactly 5 minutes left, Brock Camden took a kneeing penalty, putting the Trojans on the PK.  Max Lindsay won the ensuing draw and fed an amazing pass up the middle to Reid who converted with a rocket to the top corner on the breakaway, setting off a riotous cheer from the Basketball players and parents in the crowd.  This proved to be the game winner as the boys held on beautifully to the final buzzer.  Way to go boys, you did HSC proud with this one.  Game 2 tomorrow should be our toughest opponent of the tour.

Close games--well done!

congratulations to all the players. Looks like the teams were well-matched. Keep up the good work! Enjoy your last day in Prague tomorrow.

great start keep up the good effort

Phil's dad

Today's Hockey Result

I understand the boys from Canada came out on top with a close game...final score 6-5.

Hope the game went well today!
looking forward to more pictures so that we can continue to live vicariously.
cheers,
the Levinsons

Congratulations

Sounds like it was a good day. Great way to start things off.

Good luck in games!

Hope the game went well. Great to see the pics on the blog!! Have a fun night in Prague!

Good Luck Boys

We are all wishing you a great game today! And can't wait to hear about it on the blog. Have fun, ENJOY!! GO HILLFIELD!!!

Go Trojans Go!

Great to see the pictures and the club website! Coach Z - this blog was the greatest idea and so appreciated!

GO teams GO! Good luck at your first European game!

The Dimitroff Bros' parents

HSC Trojan Hockey/Basketball Team

Just wanted to wish you guys good luck in all your games
show those europeans how HSC plays
Go Trojans
-haydon

Day 1 finished

Well, 20 hours of uneventful travel later, we are safe and sound in Prague.  Checked into our hotel, had a nice walk through downtown to Hockey KA Restaurant for a great dinner and now off to bed.  First games tomorrow, wish us luck.  Check out the slideshow for some new pictures from Day 1 or visit the picasa web album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/kriszelinsky/HSCEuroHockeyBasketballTour2010#

Here's a link to the last club's web-site:
http://www.ehcwaldkraiburg.com//

Poster for Game

Here's a link that you might like for the first game:

http://www.mestokralupy.cz/Files/Articles/757_Game-exhibice-hokeje-a-basketballu/game_kralupy_mail.jpg

Happy Landing

Hope the plane trip was smooth and that everyone was and is still well! Get lots of rest on the bus and enjoy your first day in the beautiful Czech Republic. Send lots of pictures to those of us left slogging in the trenches back home!

Check with your service provider

If your son has a cell/smart phone, you may want to call your service provider to make sure there are no surprises on your next bill. I made some changes to Colin's plan for text and voice...and he's turned "data network connection" off.

Welcome to Europe!

Glad to hear you've landed ! Hopefully everyone will be able to catch some sleep on the bus!
Have a great day!

Landed safely

Received text about a half hour ago, they've landed in Munich.

Ahhh, airport ambience.

Through the first step of the trip and sitting at the gate waiting for our flight.  9 hours of 37,000 foot bliss awaits.  We'll update again once we arrive in Munich.  Have a great night.

One more sleep!

This is a fabulous idea for those of us staying at home, thinking of the HSC gang over in Europe!

Safe travels!
Good luck to all our HSC players! Wear your coats proudly, and most of all, have fun!

Great Idea Coach

Kris,

Thank you for bringing Web 2.0 to life with the upcoming hockey tour - a great idea and a wonderful way for those of us back home to follow what I know will be a successful tour!

Safe travels from the faculty and staff of Senior School.

Welcome to our Euro Tour Blog

It's far better than an email!  Hope you enjoy following us online while we're away.  We'll keep this updated once a day, if not more often. If you wish to post here, please go to the bottom right of your post and create a label so we can easily identify you.  - Coach Z