International Hockey For The Young And Young At Heart
By Rob Parker
Hockey, the great Canadian pastime, is also a booming industry. is a pervasive sport that is enjoyed by boys, girls, young men and women, and an ever-growing group of “oldtimers”. Certainly not old, but perhaps no longer young, oldtimers continue to enjoy actively participating in the game as they come to terms with the realization that the NHL scouts will not be calling.

Canada is not the only country swept up by this fast paced team sport. Where did this fascination with first begin? Some say it may have come from the British field sports of “hurley” or “shinty”, or perhaps the French version of field which used a wooden stick called a “hoquet” to bat a ball or cork around. Nevertheless, somewhere, sometime during a long cold Canadian winter, some hardy folk tried playing a version of field on ice. The game soon became well known in Scandinavian countries as well as in Russia.

So it is no wonder that North American organizations are now offering schools and tournaments abroad. Of particular interest to many enthusiasts, especially the oldtimers, is the opportunity to combine a tournament with a destination holiday through different European countries. Imagine, after a day on the ice in international

competition, enjoying some sightseeing: mountain biking or hiking through mountains in Austria, touring quaint villages and castles in Italy, and attending an authentic Oktoberfest dinner in Germany. An organized international tournament holiday creates the perfect opportunity for your partner to join in on your friendships.

Retired professional players offer schools and fantasy camps in many locations, presenting opportunities to learn from and play with the best all over world. But if a European vacation is too big an undertaking, you can still travel with your family and friends, and enjoy your sport within North America, in such places as Lake Placid, Chicago, Las Vegas and Montreal.

So, don’t worry if the NHL hasn’t come knocking on your door. There truly is a experience for every enthusiast and it may even take you to a vacation destination that you never dreamed of!

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