Day Seven-- Starting to lose count of the days

After training for the past 6 days on an average of 6 hrs a day the boys were really wiped out and were too tired to make the skate down to meet their parents on the web camera in front of the Province House. So we took a relaxing day instead and did a little touring later in the afternoon. Prince Edward Island is the location where Confederation took place. We toured around the water front and then headed back to our rooms for a little pizza and video games.

For those that don't know, Canada was finally joined together went all the leaders of various areas (of the British ruled area) came to PEI to finalized Confederation. The Province House was the location of this meeting. Most areas of the Province House are still in use today.

Another interesting story is in (I believe) 1999 there was a pipe bomb exploded at the front entrance to the Province House. At the time, a friend of mine was the first person in the scene to help the injured pedestrians. He used my sister’s jacket to cover the wound of one person. The rescuer was my sister’s boyfriend and my roommate at university.

Day Six (con't)--Harbor Hippo

After the final game of the week we (inline) skated to the water front to board the Harbor Hippo, a converted amphibious army vehical used to tour around the city and into the city harbor.

After the Hippo the boys skated back to the apartments to cook up spaghetti and make some posters for the web camera meeting in the morning.

Here are some pictures from the Hippo.

As you see the ride was a little to comfortable for some.

Here is a short video of the Hippo entering the water.

Day Five and Six--Wrapping Up

After just over one week on PEI the boys have finished the first week of training. All in all it was a big success and there were some major improvements in most of the players.

They all made new friends and as the coaches at Andrew’s have learn some of the friends made here could turn into to life long buddies. Some even end up being big time hockey stars like the name on the hockey jersey to the right.

I hope they will all be able to have another chance to get back here as many of the parents and player enjoyed being able to meet and play with hockey players from Taiwan.

I was able to only take three group photos as some games were over lapping.

(more videos to come)

Day Four--Hump Day

This is probaly the most difficult day to get through. It is the middle of the week, the legs are really getting tired and mentally the players are feeling drained. So here at Andrews they bring in the much hated Phantom Sinper.

The identity of the Phantom Sniper is never revealed but I have been able to pry out of them the names of past snipers such as Sidney Crosby and Brad Richards. Unfortunately for the Phantom, he is not well liked and often buckles to the pressure. (video to come)

Later in the evening I was able to take some video of the game for the Magic Hand and Art of Scoring group. Here is a highlight of Kevin scoring and celebrating. In this game Brian was named as the top defensive player.

Later in the evening the boys were treated to a great home cooked meal of Sweet and Sour meatballs, westren Chinese food.

Day Three--Jumping into the heat

Finally we had our first real sunny day.

Perhaps it was the sunshine, but it quickly became obvious that all the players were getting used to eachother and they we starting to blend together much more. The Taiwanese boys seemed to be the center of attraction as most players in their groups wanted to learn some Mandarine.

Today I was able to follow around Group C they were in the classroom to see a video on the proper/most efficient skating technique. They then were able to see themselves on video from the morning skate and do a self critique and be critiqued by the coaches.

After lunch and a little down time it was time to test physical fitness. Push ups, sit ups, vertical jump, height and weight were all taken today. I have to say that all the Taiwanese boys could stand to do much more work on strength.

In their game today, Jack got first star and Jerr was third. However do to all the running about I wasn't unable to see all the games.

Day Two-- The pain begins

So today was the first real day of camp and it came with many sucesses. In each of the games (4) all the players performed well and every one won their games. In the PeeWee Division, Tommy Chen was 2nd Star, Andrew Chu was top defensive player and many more had goals and assist in their respective games.

All the boys were extremely worn out by the end of the day but I am certain the energy will be high again tomorrow.

The thing that impressed me most is how all the boys are getting along with the new friends that they are making. Hearing them teaching Chinese words (not the best ones) and hanging out with the boys. Even celebrating as a group or encouraging others after a good play. Those are the moments that have been the most impressive thus far.

The buzz is around the rink to and everyone knows about the 'Chinese Boys' and there has been a lot of interest in the hockey scene in Taiwan.

Day One-Orientation

After 17.5 hrs of flying, 7 hrs of layovers, 3 airplanes and 4 hrs in a van we had finally arrived on PEI crossing the longest bridge in the world, the Confedertion Bridge.

The total tirp seemed quite flawless as no one was sick, lost, hurt or complained about anything. The only scare happend when one of the player thought he lost his passport. That would have been an interesting conversation with both immigration and the parents.

Today is Day One of the hockey camp and I think all and players are anxious to get on the ice. The complex here on PEI has two sheets of ice as well as to miniture synthethic ice surfaces and a hockey spacific off ice trianing center. This is something that none of these players have ever seen and I am certain they will be blown away.

Do to the rainy weather we haven't been able to do the stuff as planned so instead the boys spent a few hours in the swimming pool in the Cari Center. A great spot to blow off some excess energy and for some of the boys try and meet some of the local girls!