Kitten shopping!

Practice this morning was just like every other practice, same shooting drills, same skating drills.  Very uneventful!!! Than again we have another practice in 3 hours from now.  I don't want to sound all soft, but I'm heading out to go look at, possibly adopting a cat.  Key word, possibly. One of the guys on the team and his Fiance are going to adopt one so I'm tagging along to "possibly" adopt one.  The chances of me bringing a cat home today are slim, but I'm a softy when it comes to kittens. I'm not to sure how my dog back home Jett would respond to a cat, considering there hasn't been any wildlife within 3 miles of the house because of this beast of a dog.  Plus bringing the cat back to the US might cause some problems at the end of the year when I head home. Who knows maybe Ill get two. Ill let you know what happens later today. 

Last nights practice.

Lunch!!!!!

So we had a day off on Saturday, and did we ever pay for it on Sunday. It was NOT Sunday fun day at all. Practice started off with normal drills, but suddenly everything went terrible. We were skating the entire 2nd hour of practice. Guys were struggling hard, obviously because we were all out having a good time. The coaches knew that we were out, but they gave us the green light to have some fun, but we paid for it on Sunday.  Surprisingly I'm feeling OK today. I just got back from the gym where I was on the bike for 30 mins and got a quick lift in too. Now I'm eating 4 egg whites and some toast to get some energy back for our next practice in 3 hours.

blocked shot

Ohhh yeah forgot to tell you all that I blocked a shot while in Germany, which the puck hit me in the shin pad, but I have a bruise the size of a bowling bowl. I don't want to sound soft, but my shin is still throbbing 7 days later.  During warm ups I noticed that one guy on the other team that played in the NHL at one time had a hard slap shot. Well I found out how hard it really was!!!!!

Bostonian!!

Our New Place!!!!

Its official, Jenn and I will be moving into our new home Sept 1st in Boston.  Jenn has been living with my old college room mate Steve Sanders (not Steve Sanders 90210), since August 15th and both Jenn and I are very thankful for Steve providing a place for her to stay. Living above Steve is my other room mates from college Mike Morris and Chucky Tomes.  Jenn says its been an exciting 2 weeks with these boys and its time to move into our new place.  GO RED SOX!!!!!

Love that dirty water, Boston your my NEW home!!!

Danish Beer, Tuborg.

Yesterday was a practice that everyone was looking forward to, strictly because the new imports (me) had to buy beer for the entire team to enjoy after practice. The guys on the team told me they do this every year, where the new guys buy beer for everyone. I still think that they are pulling my leg, oh well. So I asked the Danish guys what beer I should buy, most of them said Tuborg or Carlsberg. Ive had Carlsberg before so I chose Tuborg.  Tuborg is a Danish brewing company founded in 1873 by Carl Frederik Tietgen. Since 1970 it has been part of Carlsberg. The brewery was founded in Hellerup, a northern suburb of Copenhagen.
So after practice, sitting in smelly hockey equipment and drinking beers with all the guys while listening to the Danish music, it was off to the towns end of the summer, tent party.  To get into the  tent party you pay a ticket of 150 danish Krone (25$), which covers your dinner. Oh yeah we missed dinner so I paid 25$ for nothing. After getting settled a table with some of the guys I made my way up to the bar, buying a pitcher of beer. "That will be 180 Krone please". Quickly I do the math, that is 30$. I walk away and think to myself did the stupid American just get ripped off. I thought back to my college days where I paid 6$ for a pitcher of beer, and still I was upset. So I walk over to the table and asked the Danish guys is it really 180 Krone for pitcher. Yeap!!!!  I drank my beer very slowly and enjoyed every sip after that.  I won't say how many pitchers I bought last night. It was a fun night out in Vojens Denamrk!!!

Meet my wingers!!!!!

Being a center you are always wonder how your wingers will be and if you will jell with them. Considering they are both Danish players I sometimes feel out of the loop on the ice when they are talking about a play and I just nod my head like I understand.  Frederik Storm (top pic) is born in 1989, yes 1989 two years younger than my younger sister Jenna. Do I ever feel old. Frederik is a quick skating player that loves to shoot the puck before passing.  I like playing with him because hes always getting open when I have the puck, which makes my job much easier. His nickname is Stormy but lots of the Danish guys call him "yeahbut".  They call him "yeahbut" because when coach or anyone speaks to him in English and tells him something, he always replies with  "Yeah But".

Christoffer Kjaergaard  (bottom pic)  nickname Stally is born in 1980, he hands down has the hardest snap shot on the team. Playing center and having him as one of my wingers is perfect because he shoots to score every time. Coach says to warm up the goalies during the first few drills in practice and Stally clearly is looking to score. He has the ability to score every night. Playing on a line with Stally  is great because hes not only a great goal scorer, he has great hockey sense and makes solid plays all the time.  Stally is a more laid back guy and has been in the league for many years, hes a wise veteran.

Big win!

Last night we played Hvidovre, a team in our league located in the city of Copenhagen. The game started out with no music in warm ups and maybe 25 people in the arena, already it was a hard exhibition game to get up for.  Puck dropped at 730pm and from start to finish we had much more intensity than Hvidovre.  They were a young team that had a style of working hard, but not working smart.   Hvidovre struggled the entire game, where we came away with a 5-2 win, but it seemed much worse.  I came away with a goal and two assists. I was happy with my play, but I still made some  mistakes that will be corrected come regular season. Our next exhibition game is an away game Sept 2nd.

Saying hello to my buddy Ryan Vesce playing hockey in Russia this year.

Russia Welcomes You Ryan Vesce!!!!

My buddy Ryan Vesce is playing in the KHL, probably the Best League in the World besides the NHL, possibly the same.

Ryan also has a blog like myself and reading some of his stories, its amazing what us hockey players do just to play the game of hockey.

Ryan has already been paid in cash in a black garbage bag and was told to find his own apartment when he arrived. Hopefully he has a good Real Estate agent.

Here are Vesce's stats. Pretty Impressive!!

Season Team, Lge, GP G A Pts PIM

2000-01 Cornell University NCAA 33 7 20 27 10
2001-02 Cornell University NCAA 35 10 20 30 10
2002-03 Cornell University NCAA 36 19 26 45 16
2003-04 Cornell University NCAA 27 10 16 26 14
2004-05 Rogle BK Swe-1 43 20 25 45 51
2005-06 Springfield Falcons AHL 80 18 49 67 50
2006-07 Binghamton Senators AHL 80 16 35 51 51
2007-08 HIFK Helsinki FNL 56 26 18 44 42
2008-09 Worcester Sharks AHL 67 24 47 71 28
2008-09 San Jose Sharks NHL 10 0 0 0 4
2009-10 Worcester Sharks AHL 35 14 16 30 20
2009-10 San Jose Sharks NHL 9 3 2 5 0

 

Going to buy a bike.

Time to fill up my car with gas, I think ill walk instead!!!! Top 3 most expensive places to buy gas in the World, Denmark #3.


1. Asmara, Eritrea — $9.59/gallon


2. Oslo, Norway — $7.41/gallon

3. Copenhagen, Denmark — $6.89/gallon


On a side note we lost 3 games straight this weekend to DEL teams in Germany. Its not worth talking about really. We got man handled and embarrassed. It was a frustrating weekend. 

Off to Germany for exhibition games tomorrow.

The team is off to Hannover Germany tomorrow to play 3 games Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We will play the host Hannover Scorpions first, EHC Wolfsburg, and DEG Metro Stars ( Düsseldorf). These three teams are all DEL teams. Its the top league in Germany. It should be a good challenge for our team. Already beating a DEL team (Hamburg), its going to be a tough 3 days.  I haven't played 3 games in a row since I played in Milwaukee in the AHL, its going to be hard on the body considering I turn 30 in seven months (uggghhhhh).   Ive got to say I'm starting to feel the effects of getting older and playing a sport. All these young guys got such energy, where did all mine go. 
Hopefully I will have an internet connection when we arrive to the hotel so I can keep you updated on the games and the results.  Its only about a four hour bus ride which isn't bad, plus we're only traveling tomorrow and not playing a game.

Got a new European cell phone #

So I've played in Europe and every year its the same, get settled in at your apartment and make sure all your visa stuff is in order. After that, its get a cell phone # and a bank account (stay strong EURO).  I got my cell # today which got me thinking how many different Sim cards I have from different countries Ive lived in. So I have a cell # in the USA, Finland,Switzerland,Hungary,Germany and Denmark now.  Living in these countries Ive opened and closed bank accounts as well. I felt big time when I told people that I had a Swiss Bank account. You always hear people talking in movies how they have all their money in Swiss Bank accounts, well that was me without the high bank roll.  So tomorrow after 10am practice ill be heading to the local bank here to open up an account so I can wire all my money to the boss back home (Jenn).

More pics!!

My debut in Vojen Denmark!

1st Exhibition game ends in victory.

                                            

Today we played the Hamburg Freezers from Germany. The Freezers play in the top league in Germany (DEL).  I have to admit I was actually nervous for some reason. After my first shift I was fine, maybe it was because our line scored the first goal of the game within the the first minute. I had the 2nd assist on the goal and that was my only point of the game. Our line scored again in the first period, giving us a 2-1 lead. I was a bit rusty making some bone head plays, like turning over the puck and not making solid passes. Its very uncharacteristic for me to make these plays, but ill give my self a break considering I haven't played a real game in 4 months.   Its a great win for our team and a good confidence booster as well. We play 3 DEL teams in Germany next week, one of which are DEL defending Champions. For my dad, I had 4 shots just so you know. I should of had more, but I made some stupid plays that resulted in turn overs because my passing was a bit off.  Don't worry ill grip and rip Turz!!!!

Fines!!!

Every year is the same, every team has someone that is the fine master that keeps track of all the players fines. The fines range from having a sloppy locker to missing a practice. Who misses practice? Today the list went up. Most fines aren't  $$$$. One sticks out, because I'm a tough guy of course. Its a 200$ fine if you get a game misconduct. What!!!!!! So guys like me that fight once every decade wont be doing it this year (just bought a condo in Boston, funds are low). Already lost my teeth and let me tell you it hurts. I won that fight obviously. Oh yeah, there is no fighting in Europe unlike North America where fans come to games strictly for that reason. Its a game suspension if you do.

                                                    I guess I won't be doing this much.

New York you will be missed.

Jenn (my wife) says goodbye to New York today and starts her new job at Harvard Medical School where she will be doing research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Jenn is officially a Bostonian as of today August 13, 2010.

                                                   

Hit me up on Skype!

SKYPE
For all of you that have been living under a rock for the past 7 years and haven't heard about it, well ill tell you.  Janus Friis  (from Denmark, heyyy ohhh)  founded Skype in 2003, which offers both audio and video peer-to-peer communications over the Internet for FREE (free is good). The audio calls act like a phone call except its over the Internet, while the video calls add the video feature when users have webcams.

So sign up for an account if you don't already have one, and send me some messages.

Can't sleep!!!!

Its almost 2am here in Denmark and I cant fall asleep. I've been here for 5 days now and usually it only takes me about 3 days to adjust to the jet leg.

Testing Starts Now!!!

The VO2 test, the worst!!!

                        Im off to Physical testing. It is by far the worst thing about being an athlete.

Moving to Boston (Hopefully)

                                Came across this photo on yahoo. Apparently the ship  collided with another ship. 

Ill explain the reason for this photo.
So recently My wife and I purchased a condo in South Boston. Our closing date is Sept 1 (keep your fingers crossed everyone). With that said, 3 days before I left for Denmark this POD was dropped off in the driveway and we moved our 2 bedroom apt into this  POD.  We literally got done packing this POD about 2 hours before I had to catch a plane at JFK bound for Denmark. Its just insane how much stuff we have (well Jenn has). Ohhh  this POD is stuffed to the max. When my fellow unpackers in Boston help my wife move in on Sept 1, I wont mention any names, (Morris, Chucky, Sanders, W) they will be in for a rude awakening.

So this POD...... I really hope that its not on this ship!!!!  Hopefully we are insured.

Day 1 session 1

Im going to feel like the kid on the left after tonights practice!

Practice this morning from 930am-1030am wasn't all that hard, but I wont tell our coach that! It was basic flow drills with a lot of skating, but no bag skating (no pucks just skating) so that was good.  I went and got registered so I'm a legal in the country (please no Spanish jokes). Ill have all my paper work in 14 days the lady said, so than I can open a bank account, get a cell phone, etc. Next practice is at 5-7pm tonight, so I'm going to take a little nap and be back at the rink in a couple hours. I'm not sure what line I'm on, or who are D-man and forwards, so hopefully coach will tell me sometime soon.  All the guys seem really nice and welcoming, so now I'm starting to see how yahoo ranked Denmark the Happiest country on the planet.

On a side note, there is this weird looking bird about he size of a hawk in my back yard and Ive been feeding him bread, so eventually I can lure him into my apartment and keep him as a pet. I also so a cat roaming around near the wood line and thought of catching him too as pet. I don't think US customs would like if I came back to the US with a random bird and a stray cat I found in Denmark. More Importantly I don't think my wife will like new pets in our new condo in Boston.

For Lunch today I ate out, had a sandwich that cost me 84 Danish Krone,  equivalent to about 15$. This country is a bit pricey. 

Best thing about being a hockey player is that after lunch, its NAP time!!!!  What a life!

Little Euro pump up music!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pKrVB5f2W0&feature=related

My car here in Europe!!!

I would take a picture of my car, but Jenn wanted to have the camera back in the US, but its OK I stole her Ipod right before I left so we're even (sorry Jenn). So here is a picture I found on the Internet of my car. Not that bad actually, my car is black.

Testing, so not cool!!!

So we have physical testing on Tuesday between morning skate and night skate (awesome). I happily scheduled myself for the 150pm slot. I'm so excited. We have to Max squat, Max Bench, treadmill run, Max pull ups and some sort of sit ups that are like the ones Rocky did in Rocky IV. UGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! I thought Europe was suppose to be easier on the body. It wouldn't be that bad, but I haven't squatted since my Northeastern University Days, about 5 years ago. Hopefully I pass!!!!

Another year playing Hockey across the pond!!

No this isnt my team Picture. This is my Picture from 2008 Training Camp with Nashville, the glory days!!!

I will keep you all updated on my life in Denmark this year. I arrived August 6th and already miss Home. On a positive note Denmark is rated #1 Happiest country in the world. So far I've gotten the Finger from someone when I stop short at a cross walk in town, so I dont know what yahoo is talking about when they say Denmark is the Happiest country in the world. Ill keep an open mind though. I hope that you all will follow me and my adventure as an import hockey player in Denmark this year. Feel free to comment on my post and ask questions.