Thank you Penny and Velvet!

As we all prepared to head home, today, it was with mixed emotions. We were sad to say good bye to each other, but we were happy to have found new friends and made new memories. Some parents were happy they didn't have to spend another night going toe to toe with the coaches to earn ice time for their kids.

One common sentiment expressed by many parents is how much we grew to love and respect Kristi and Peyton. We could not have asked for better role models for our girls. Kristi and Peyton taught the girls the skills needed to play tough hockey, but they also showed our girls how to win with pride and lose with grace. We, as parents, appreciated that Kristi and Peyton were always available to answer our questions and listen to our gripes.

So we would like to send a shout out to Penny and Velvet for sharing your beautiful daughters with us. They are both treasures and we are so grateful that our daughters were able to spend time with two very gifted and talented young women.

Hard Rock Cafe Stockholm

To celebrate our big win, we went to Hard Rock Cafe for some burgers and fun. The food was great and the kids and parents enjoyed one last night out together.



Randy pours water for Sandra South.


Parents chat as they wait for their food.


The girls have worked up big appetites from the game and patiently wait for their food.

West Coast Selects vs Sweden Girls

The girls’ last game of the trip was played against a combination of players from two Swedish girls’ teams, the SSK Sodertalje Sportklubb, and Segeltorp. The ages of the players ranged from eleven through 14-years old. The girls played an even game through most of the first period, until Chloe Whiteside broke open the scoring on an assist from Meagan Ondrick. The first period ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the WCS girls.

Emma Turbyville got things going early in the second period on an unassisted goal. Lauren (Lew) Williams followed her lead by putting in her own unassisted goal. Shortly later, Jessee Abrahams tipped in a goal off of a pass from Ilana Heaton. Not wanting the WCS girls to have all the fun, the Sweden team dumped one in their own net late in the 2nd period making the score 4-1.

The 3rd period started with a goal by Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz on a beautiful pass from Sara Habal from the corner. Molly Slowe got in on the action by passing to Jessee Abrahams who was waiting in front of the net to score her 2nd goal of the game. Jessee then followed up with her own assist to Ilana Heaton who scored the WCS girls 7th goal of the game. The Sweden girls scored the last goal of the period making the final score of the game 7-2. This was a great way to end the final game of a great hockey trip, and the girls from both teams really enjoyed playing each other. The Sweden girls were extremely gracious toward our team by not only showing great sportsmanship on the ice, but by presenting our girls with gifts after the game.

The girls get ready to play.


Time for a line change.

Ilana Heaton, Jessee Abrahams and Molly Slowe celebrate their goal.

Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz, Serena Sommerfield, Rose Krasofsy and Lauren Lefler celebrate.


Another goal celebration.

Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace

After visiting the Vasa Museum, we hurried over to see the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace. The changing of the guard at the Royal Palace on Gamla Stan in Stockholm takes place each day from the middle of May until September. The participating soldiers are chosen from the ranks from all over Sweden, so the experience is fun for them, too. The parade starts at Nybroplan at 11:45 AM each day except for Sunday, (12:45 PM on Sunday). The guards and band march across the Norrbro Bridge and arrive at the Royal Palace in about 30 minutes. The ceremony is precise, and there's much marching and music.

Horses march near the Royal Palace after the changing of the guard.

The new guard takes his post.

Soldiers marching after the new guard has taken his post.

The marching band performs.

The old guard waits to be relieved of his duties.

The Vasa Museum

The day started with a visit to the Vasa Museum. The Vasa Museum is Scandinavia's most visited museum, located in Stockholm, capital of Sweden. The Museum was inaugurated in 1990. In the large shiphall stands the warship Vasa - the only remaining, intact 17th century ship in the world. Both players and parents enjoyed this sightseeing experience.

Group picture before visiting the Vasa Museum.


The warship, Vasa.

West Coast Selects vs AIK 97 Boys

The Swedish AIK 97 boys treated us to a late night game at the Stora Mossens rink in Stockholm. The girls started out slow, allowing the boys to score two goals in the first of two 15-minutes periods. They came alive in the second period, however, when Rose Krasofsky scored in front of the net on assists from Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz and Lauren Lefler. Although the girls were not able to score another goal in the period, they were able to shut the boys out in the 2nd period ending the game with a 2-1 final score. After one of Swedish boys skated over to the time-keeper to ask if we could play a little longer, the game continued for two more minutes. While the girls were unable to score, they appreciated that the boys enjoyed playing them so much.

Shannon Ropp


Sara Habal


Rose Krasofsky


Molly Slowe

Lauren (Lew) Williams

Lauren Lefler

Kristen South

Jessee Abrahams

Jenna Miller

Hanna Baker

Chloe Whiteside and Emma Turbyville talk strategy.

Brooke Baker

Fun night on the ship

What a great time everyone had on board the cruise ship, Mariella. The night started out with a fabulous buffet dinner and was followed by a fun time in the karaoke bar. The girls dressed up and sang their loudest for all of us parents, coaches and other cruise guests. All of the groups did so well that they were all declared winners. We were also treated to one of the most stirring renditions of Celine Dion's song, "My Heart Will Go On" by one of the cruise ship passengers. Dave and Joslyn showed us some of their moves ... those two can really dance. We all toasted to Ken on his birthday. Happy Birthday Kenny! This is one birthday he will never forget ... or perhaps never remember.

We rolled out of bed and down to breakfast at 8:00 AM Finland time ... or was it supposed to be Swedish time? As the ship rolled into Stockholm, we enjoyed a grand breakfast buffet, and then packed up our belongings and prepared to disembark. Kate and Hannah got lost on the way to our bus, but as soon as they found us, we drove to our hotel, the Scandik Alvik, and checked in for the remainder of our trip.

Leaving Finland ...


... still leaving Finland.

The girls dress up for dinner.

Sara gives dad a happy birthday card.

Arriving in Stockholm.

Cruising to Stockholm

We are boarding a Viking Line cruise ship, today, and sailing the Baltic seas to Stockholm, Sweden. Activities on board include dinner, dancing, live entertainment, swimming, and much more. Some of the live entertainment will be provided by our own girls who have been divided into several groups, and will be competing in a karaoke contest. We'll see how the girls do without their skates and sticks.

This will be the last post for today as I am not sure if there will be internet available aboard the ship. I've also heard there's a late night planned for the parents. We're just trying to keep the coaches happy.

Team USA Wins!

We headed over to Hameenlinna Ice Rink to watch the World Women's Championship game between Team USA and Team Canada. Team USA stepped up their game against Team Canada to win only their 4th world championship since 1990 by a score of 4-1 (empty netter).

As the clock winds down, Team USA prepares to celebrate.


Team USA elation on the rink.


The U.S. national anthem is played after the victory.

The Castle of Hameenlinna

After the All Star game, today, the team boarded a bus and headed to the Castle of Hameenlinna for a guided tour. The girls enjoyed the tour and got to shop in the souvenir store afterwards.

All Star Game

This long day started with the All Star game between the tournament all stars and the TuusKi C team. The following girls were chosen to represent the West Coast Selects on the all star team: Sara Habal, Ilana Heaton, Rose Krasofsky, Lauren Lefler, Meagan Ondrick, Molly Slowe, Serena Sommerfield, Emma Turbyville, Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz and Lew Williams. Goalie Hannah Baker represented the WCS team in the net. The game was well fought and ended in a 1-1 tie. After the game, the girls were presented with bronze medals for placing 3rd in the tournament.

Awards ceremony after the All Star game.


The girls show off their bronze medals.


There's plenty of water waiting for the players after each shift.


Coaches Peyton and Kristi put on their game faces.

Hannah Baker

Ilana Heaton

Lew Williams

Emma Turbyville

Lauren Lefler

Rose Krasofsky