The Vikings just returned home from an unbelievable four-day training camp in Pisek, Czech Republic. It was exactly what was needed to get the 2018/2019 season off on the right foot. On Thursday morning, two groups consisting of 33 skaters, 3 goalies, and a gimp, loaded on the bus in Wiesbaden for the eight-hour ride to our temporary home. You could feel the excitement.
To avoid starvation, each day the Vikes were supplied with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Early morning, group skates and off ice stick handling drills were great as you could see everyone focused and determined to improve their game. As the coaches gathered the skaters by the boards, you could sense the confusion as they tried to explain the upcoming drills. Of course, after a quick tutorial everyone caught on quickly! Off the ice, one of the highlights was when Jannik was challenged by a coach to shoot a puck from the stands to a net on the ice. The coach tried three times, while Palu sent it in on the first try! Jason and Dan also followed suit with some sweet shots from the stands!
A ten minute walk to the beer fest was a beer league hockey players heaven; delicious beer, great music, and tons of food!
Day three was a big day. Morning skates, tennis matches, and the Vikings first ever game at an international level. Group A battled against the Kuwait National Ice Hockey team, with each of the three goalies getting a period of play. The cheers of “Go Vikings Go” and “Obama – Zu Spät, die Hesse Komme” is imagined to be heard all the way from the beer fest! It was a great, hard fought game, resulting in a 8-6 loss by the Vikings. Not bad for our first international game, eh?
The team dinner in the city was was a blast. The food was delicious, and there is nothing like ordering 37 beers at once! The beer fest was fun, the music was awesome, but to top it all off was the 2nd Annual (extremely safe) River Race. The contenders this year were Yannick, Axel, Chris, and William. Chris took the victory this year in a tight race leaving everyone speechless!
“To the Beer Fest!”
The team headed back to the beer fest for
Many woke up ready for the morning skate as we prepared to our return home. Some got dressed and then immediately undressed, realizing that this would not just be a fun scrimmage. These coaches were no joke!
As you might imagine, the bus ride home was very quiet. Lots of great memories. Lots of pain, sweat, and laughter. This is the greatest hockey club in the world.
Last but not least, this was the final trip for our buddy Shane, who’s first game was a shoutout in Assenheim and
This trip will happen again next year. Don’t miss it!
GVG!
