European Hockey Tour

Thank you Penny and Velvet!

2009-04-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-15T17:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-13T02:13:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-12T15:37:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

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

West Coast Selects vs Finland White C

2009-04-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

The girls schedule was light today as they only had to play one game. Regardless, this was to be their biggest test yet, as they went up against the undefeated Finland White C team. The girls played the Fins tough in the first period giving up one goal with three minutes to play. The Fins wore the girls down however, as they scored three goals later in the second period (half) to win by a score of 4-0. We were proud of our girls because they did not give up against the older Fin team. Chloe Whiteside received the Fighting Spirit award for our team, and Emma Turbyville received the Fair Player of the game award.

Emma Turbyville receiving the Fair Player Of The Game award.

Chloe Whiteside receiving the Fighting Spirit award.

The girls fend off the Fin players in front of the net.

The girls get ready for the game.

Coach Kristi talks to the girls before the game.

Shannon Ropp

Serena Sommerfield

Sara Habal and Ilana Heaton

Rose Krasofsky

Ilana Heaton

Can we survive the coaches?

2009-04-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

I have to make apologies for getting the latest three blog entries out a day late. I was diligently writing about the events of yesterday, when the coaches stopped by my room last night asking if I was heading down to the pub with them and other parents. I graciously declined, but they insisted I put away my computer and join them. Not wanting my daughter to lose playing time, I accompanied them down to the pub. They showed no mercy, and kept me and the other parents out until 4:00 AM all the while making us drink beer and shots. I think this is what they mean when they say, "Take one for the team".

World Women's Championship Games - Team USA vs Canada

2009-04-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

After playing two great games today (04/10/2009), the girls traveled by bus to Hameenlinna, Finland, to watch Team USA play Team Canada in the World Women's Championship games. Loyalties to both Canada and the USA, which seem to be split evenly amongst the team, were proudly shown by both players and parents. Some of the girls sat behind the bench of team USA waving the stars and stripes, while others stood in the balcony waving Canadian flags. It was a great display of rivalry and fun. Team Canada beat Team USA by a score of 2-1, and will play again for the championship on Sunday. Members from both teams were gracious enough to talk to the girls after the game and sign autographs. The looks on the girls' faces were priceless as they got to meet their hockey heroes. It was a perfect ending to a great day.

Go Team Canada!

Twins Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux from Team USA.

Team USA.

Teams USA and Canada shake hands after the game.

Angela Ruggiero and Caitlin Cahow from Team USA.

Julie Chu from Team USA.

Jessica Vetter from Team USA.

Hannah Baker with star goalie, Charline Labonte, from Canada.

Go Team USA!

West Coast Selects vs Finland Blue C

2009-04-11T04:15:00.001-07:00

The second game the girls played today (4/10/2009) was against the Finland Blue C team. When this team made the long walk from their locker room to the rink, even the parents were a little intimidated by their size … at least us moms were. The girls on this team ranged in age between 14 and 16-years old. Our girls, however, were un-phased by the size of the Finland team and it showed on the ice. The Fins struck first scoring an early goal in the 1st period (half) of the game, but our girls fought back and scored one of the prettiest goals of the tournament. Rose Krasofsky skated the puck down to the net fighting off a defender twice her size the entire way. As she skated in front of the net, she pulled the goalie to the left, and made a back-handed pass to Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz who easily scored. The period ended in a 1-1 tie.

The game remained tied for much of the second period (half) until Molly Slowe passed the puck from behind the net out to the point, and Emma Turbyville stepped up to score what was to end up being the game winning goal. Hannah Baker was stellar in the net blocking several shots and preventing a Fin goal on a break-away. The girls beat the Finland Blue C team by a score of 2-1. Hannah received the Fighting Spirit award for our team, and Molly Slowe received the Fair Player Of The Game award.

Hannah Baker receiving the Fighting Spirit award.

Molly Slowe receiving the Fair Player Of The Game award.

Meagan Ondrick

Jesse Abrahams

Brooke Baker

Serena Sommerfield

Jenna Miller

Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz celebrating our first goal.

Rose Krasofsky

Celebrating our first goal.

West Coast Selects vs Nikkarit C from Riihimaki

2009-04-10T14:16:00.001-07:00

Prior to the beginning of the first of two games today, there was a flag ceremony presented by the host team, Nikkarit C from Riihimaki. After the ceremony, the girls faced off against the host team which consisted of 14-year olds and 15-year olds. The girls were pumped for the game and it showed on the ice. In the first of two 20-minute periods, the girls scored three goals. Brianna Tuuri-Cesarz scored first on a beautiful, unassisted shot. Up next, Lauren Lefler scored on a nice pass from Tuuri-Cesarz. The 3rd goal of the period came off the stick of Chloe Whiteside with the assist going to Brooke Baker. The period ended with the WCS leading 3-0.

The girls hung tough in the 2nd period getting one more goal from Lauren Lefler on an assist from Meagan Ondrick. The game ended with a 4-0 win, earning a shutout for our two goalies, Hannah Baker and Shannon Ropp. For the second game in a row, Rose Krasofsky earned the Fighting Spirit award from our team.

Flag Ceremony

Waiting to play.

Coach Peyton

Sara Habal

Lauren (Lew) Williams

Kristen South

Jesse Abrahams

Ilana Heaton

Chloe Whiteside

Brooke Baker

West Coast Selects vs TuusKi C

2009-04-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

Today we moved to the Hotel Seurahuone in Riihimaki. The hotel is within walking distance to the rink where the tournament games will be played. Riihimaki is a beautiful town with cobblestone streets and quaint shops. Most of the shops have been closed for Good Friday and the Easter holiday. The food is fabulous and incredibly fresh, and the black licorice is a good enough reason on its own to travel to Finland.

It is still unseasonably cold here and very windy which makes for fun walks to the rink. We parents are beginning to believe the coaches are trying to whip us into shape along with the girls. We no longer disagree with our girls when they tell us the coaches are really tough as we now believe they are out to get us. We are nursing our charlie horses along side our daughters.

Our first game of the tournament, the girls played the Tuuski C Russian girls team. Although we were on the losing side of a 2-0 game, it was hard fought and very physical. Our girls didn't back down against a very big and strong Russian team. Our players didn't know it at the time, but the ages of the girls on Tuuski C are between 14 and 16 years old. Our WCS team is comprised of four 11-year-olds and thirteen 12-year-olds. We're told that the Tuuski C team is the toughest of the competition but that remains to be seen. Hopefully, we'll see them again.

I will be posting more pictures of the players tomorrow, but below is a team picture the girls took with the Tuuski C girls.

West Coast Selects vs Kiekko - Vantaa AAA Boys

2009-04-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

The girls played their first game, today, against the Kiekko-Vantaa AAA boys team. They scored first taking a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period, but the boys tied it up and it was 1-1 going into the 3rd period. The girls fought hard but ran out of gas in the 3rd period as the boys pulled ahead for good, winning the exhibition game 4-1. As the girls came off the ice, many of them commented out loud on how well the boys skated, and on how cute they all were. One of the boys finally turned around and let the girls know that they speak English too.

Coach Kristi

Hannah Baker

Shannon Ropp

Lauren (Lew) Williams

Lauren Lefler

Ilana Heaton

Emma Turbyville

Cloe Whiteside

Team Picture

Scenes From Helsinki

2009-04-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

The first part of today was spent on a guided tour of Helsinki.

The president of Finland lives in the presidential palace in Helsinki. Her name is Tarja Halonen. GIRL POWER!

Shopping in Helsinki.

A modern tram is used as transportation in Helsinki.

The girls are lined up at the top of the steps in front of the Lutheran Cathedral of Helsinki.

The girls assemble in front of a statue of Tsar Alexander II who was also known as Alexander the Liberator, the Grand Duke of Finland, and the King of Poland.

Parents' Initiation Night???

2009-04-08T01:34:00.001-07:00

Tuesday evening, 4/8/2009

Coaches Peyton and Kristi INSIST that the parents attend an initiation activity. This involves a walk through Helsinki to the nearest pub for local food and drink.

A toast to the girls.

Practice Time

2009-04-08T01:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, 4/7/2009. The girls attend their first practice as a team. Although they are exhausted from the time change, they work really hard.

From Chicago to Helsinki

2009-04-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

On Monday, April 6, one by one the players arrive at Chicago's O'Hare airport to greet each other.

Coach Kristi hands out the girls' jerseys while we are waiting to check in for our flight.

The girls size up the jerseys. They look large but will fit perfectly over all their equipment.

The girls get to know each other while waiting to board the plane for our flight.

Meet coaches Peyton Patterson and Kristi Alcorn .

First team huddle to go over the rules.

The girls hang out while waiting to board the plane.

Meagan and Angie Ondrick

Chloe Whiteside

Getting ready to go to Europe!

2009-03-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Emma was selected to play on a hockey team made up of 12-year-old-girls from the U.S. and Canada. The team is headed to Europe to play hockey in Finland and Sweden. Information regarding the trip can be found at the following website:

http://selectshockey.com/tour2009/WCSGirls96_Home.php

We will do our best to update you with events and photos of this trip. We would like to thank all of you who made extremely generous donations to make it possible for Emma to play with this team in Europe. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for a 12-year-old hockey player with Olympic dreams.