THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
Jr. Islanders enjoy an unbelievable trip to Quebec
The Junior Islanders did more than just scratch the cultural surface when they traveled north of the border to compete in the week-long Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament last month.
Instead of staying in a hotel, the kids billeted in pairs with residents from the Quebec area, to ensure they would be fully immersed into the culture. For some of the kids, this was their first time traveling abroad and it couldn't have been a better way to start.
Hockey was, of course, the main purpose behind the trip and the kids played their fair share – 11 games in all. Two were tournament games, while nine were exhibition contests against various teams from around the world, also playing in the tournament.
In the tournament games, the Jr. Islanders played in two close losses, but failed to make it out of the preliminary round. Their first defeat came against Baie-Comeau Drakkar -- a team from Quebec -- by the score of 2-1. The Jr. Islanders fell behind 2-0 after two periods, and fought back to cut the lead to one, but couldn't get one more in to tie the score at two.
Later that week, the Islanders played in their second tournament game, and once again lost in a heartbreaker, this time to the Hamilton Bulldogs from Ontario, 3-2. The teams were all knotted at two until the Bulldogs tallied the game-winner late in the final frame to earn the victory.
Despite their 0-2 record in tournament play, the Jr. Islanders put up a good record in exhibition play, 5-4, to finish the week a respectable 5-6 overall.
"Goaltenders Jacob Smart and Ronny Sartena were the backbone of the team," said Steve Webb, who along with Benoit Hogue and Dan Bedard coached the team. "They came to play every night and showed unbelievable character throughout the tournament. They understood their roles and showed poise under a lot of pressure."
Longtime Jr. Islanders coach Bedard was the mastermind behind the exhibition games. For a number of years, Bedard has hope to create an even more international experience by ensuring the team would play against teams from outside North America. Their exhibition contests included games against teams from Finland, Germany and Italy.
"Dan did a phenomenal job organizing the games and activities for the kids," said Webb. "The trip wouldn't have been nearly as exciting without him. I also want to thank Benoit for taking time to help prepare the kids for the tournament and traveling with us to Quebec. He put in a lot of hard work and we all appreciate it."
While the tournament was the focus of the trip, the kids experienced much more than just hockey. Highlights included snow tubing at a nearby snow park and visiting a sugar house where maple syrup is tapped from maple trees, created and distributed. The trip to the sugar house turned into an adventure when a number of the cars got stuck on the way back due to a blizzard. Everyone made it back okay, but had a good story to tell to those who didn't get to experience it.
The kids also had the chance to watch some good-old-fashioned Canadian Junior Hockey when they saw a Quebec Remparts game, featuring highly-touted Angelo Esposito.
Besides playing games at a half-dozen rinks in the Quebec area, the Jr. Islanders also participated in pick-up games on the ponds located near their billets. For kids growing up on Long Island, where there are few outdoor rinks, this was truly a unique experience.
And to go along with the international flavor of the trip, the kids were asked to bring pins that represented their team or country, to trade with other competitors from around the world. There was some off-ice competition among the Jr. Islanders to see who could come away with "biggest and best" pins. Some did better than others, but each member of the team came away with a memento that they'll cherish for life.
While the week in February came and went, the memories will surely last forever for a small group of 12 year olds, who most certainly had the experience of a lifetime.
"The kids seemed to have a great time," said Webb. "They played well at the rink and conducted themselves well off the ice. The most important thing, though, is that they had fun and will have something to remember for a long time."
