Beyond the Rink: Truly An International Affiar
03/06/2020
Through the thoughtfulness of other AAU members from opposing teams, two brothers without their equipment were able to suit up and play.
LONDON, Ont. – There’s no bigger fear for any athlete than arriving to play without the proper equipment. Unfortunately for two brothers competing in the AAU North American Championship/London Light the Lamp tournament, that fear turned into reality. However, through the thoughtfulness of other AAU members from opposing teams, the two were able to suit up and play.
The brothers, who were set to play in different age divisions with the internationally-comprised Cube Development Global team, arrived in Canada from Serbia with their hockey bags still in transit. It was a difficult situation for the boys and their accompanying mother, who spoke little English. For the first day of the tournament, one of the boys had to wear his teammate’s equipment and his coach’s skates, which were quite a bit larger than his own.
The bags had still not arrived by the second day of the tournament, but thanks to the efforts of AAU members from three Canadian teams, the London Cobras, the Royal City Kings and the Milton Stars, enough gear was found to fully equip the boys for their games as their teams continued to advance in the tournament.
The youngest brother was so happy to have the opportunity to play with his American teammates, that he spent the rest of the day hanging out with them after their first game on Saturday. Even though he didn’t know any English, it was clear that all the teammates had a great time together at the rink.
Just before the tournament concluded and with both brothers playing in the championship games of their divisions, the hockey bags finally arrived. Playing in their usual equipment, the two enjoyed the thrill of clinching tournament titles. The younger brother found the back of the net, scoring a goal in his championship game. It was said afterwards that he was so excited that he slept with his gold medal around his neck to bed that night. The nightmare of not having his equipment had turned into a pleasant dream, capping off a memorable weekend.
While the two brothers from Serbia arrived without their equipment, they left the tournament not only with their gear, but with AAU gold medals and memories of the kindness of the AAU family. Not a bad weekend of hockey.
For more information on AAU Hockey, visit aauhockey.org.
The brothers, who were set to play in different age divisions with the internationally-comprised Cube Development Global team, arrived in Canada from Serbia with their hockey bags still in transit. It was a difficult situation for the boys and their accompanying mother, who spoke little English. For the first day of the tournament, one of the boys had to wear his teammate’s equipment and his coach’s skates, which were quite a bit larger than his own.
The bags had still not arrived by the second day of the tournament, but thanks to the efforts of AAU members from three Canadian teams, the London Cobras, the Royal City Kings and the Milton Stars, enough gear was found to fully equip the boys for their games as their teams continued to advance in the tournament.
The youngest brother was so happy to have the opportunity to play with his American teammates, that he spent the rest of the day hanging out with them after their first game on Saturday. Even though he didn’t know any English, it was clear that all the teammates had a great time together at the rink.
Just before the tournament concluded and with both brothers playing in the championship games of their divisions, the hockey bags finally arrived. Playing in their usual equipment, the two enjoyed the thrill of clinching tournament titles. The younger brother found the back of the net, scoring a goal in his championship game. It was said afterwards that he was so excited that he slept with his gold medal around his neck to bed that night. The nightmare of not having his equipment had turned into a pleasant dream, capping off a memorable weekend.
While the two brothers from Serbia arrived without their equipment, they left the tournament not only with their gear, but with AAU gold medals and memories of the kindness of the AAU family. Not a bad weekend of hockey.
For more information on AAU Hockey, visit aauhockey.org.
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