The White Falcon - 22.01.1993, Blaðsíða 8

Base atheletes lend experience to Icelandic hockey
Icelandic and American hockey players practice three times a week in Reykjavik.
Story and photos by
J02 Carlos Bongloanni
In the winter of 1893, the city of Reykjavik
organized its first hockey team. Oddly
enough, though the city has maintained a
team ever since, not until recent years has
there been a suitable location to play hockey.
Because of this, hockey in Iceland never had
a large following in the past. That has all
changed since the construction of an ice
skating rink.
“Even though the Skating Club of
Reykjavik is 100 years old this year, we
cannot say hockey started here until three
years ago when we got the skating rink,” said
Magnus Jonasson, sponsoring agent for
Iceland’s Power Hockey League.
“Since the rink was built in Reykjavik,
there has been an enormous growth in hockey
interest. It’s unbelievable! In just two years,
we now have over 300 people in Reykjavik,
from nine years and up, who are practicing
hockey,” said Jonasson.
Americans from Naval Air station (NAS),
Keflavlk are among those interested in the
sport. This season, about a half dozen or
more American military members from the
base have been playing on Reykj avlk’s newest
expansion team, the Bears.
BU2 Kenneth Soderberg, 31, has played
hockey since he was five years old. Two
years ago, when the Bears were first starting
up, he jumped at the opportunity to play.
“I’m from Minnesota, so naturally, hockey
runs in my blood," said Soderberg. “Before
I came up hoe, I asked if there was any
hockey. I was told there wasn’t, so I didn’t
bring any equipment. Once I found out there
was a team starting up, I ordered all my gear
and started playing.”
Unlike Soderberg, CE1 John Mulholland,
27, came to Iceland with high expectations of
playing hockey. “I anticipated and hoped
there would be hockey in Iceland, so I brought
all my gear with me. I asked around, but
nobody knew anything about it. Then one
day, as I was heading to the gym to work out,
I saw a guy with hockey pads. I asked him
where he played, and the very next practice I
was on the ice,” said Mulholland.
Americans from the base aren’t the only
ones pleased about the hockey opportunities.
Their participation has been a great benefit to
the Icelanders on the Bears’ team.
“I’ve never been taught hockey before,”
said Bear’s coach, Snorri SIgurdarson. Even
though I’m the coach of the team, the guys
from the base have more experience than I
have. I’ve got a Swedish hockey book at
home that I read and I coach from, but we
learn the most from the experience the
Americans bring,” said SIgurdarson.
Of the three teams playing in the Power
League, the Bears are the only ones utilizing
Americans from NAS Keflavlk. The other
Reykjavik team has a strong line up including
two former Soviet and two Finnish players.
In their first game this season, the Bears
lost 11-1 to Reykjavik. This past Saturday,
the two teams met again, however, the Skat-
ing Club of Reykjavik decided to play their
sec card and third line against the Bears to
make the game more competitive. After fall-
ing behind 4-2 in the first period, Reykjavik
changed their strategy and brought out their
first line.
All five Americans scored for the Bears,
but they still ended up losing 13-7. The Bears
play tomorrow at 8 p.m. against Akureyri in
Reykjavik.
The Bears practice three times a week and
play six times during the season. SIgurdar-
son says they are always looking for more
players to join them, because they are always
losing American players due to permanent
change of duty moves.
According to Maj. Dennis McEleney, 37,
another American player for the Bears, hockey
in Iceland is basically the same as it is in the
states with sane minor differences. “Back in
the U.S. and Canada, it’s survival-of-the-fit-
test type of hockey. In Europe, they ’re more
into die play of the game versus the fighting.
The game here is mere gentlemanly,” said
McEleney.
“Good checking, crisp passing, speed and
accuracy are the lures of hockey. You can’t
get anywhere close to that kind of action in
other sports. It’s something I enjoyed as a
kid, and as soon as I got back on the ice up
here, I said, ‘Wow, I’ve really missed this!’
I’m glad I’m playing. It’s a lot of fun,” said
McEleney.
All the players agreed, the opportunity to
play hockey in Iceland has made their stay
here that much more enjoyable. Plus, their
competitive natures are usually brought to
the forefront. “It’s like a hulk transforma-
tion,” said Soderberg. “Normally, I’m a real
mellow guy, but once I get on the ice, I get
more physical.”
Anyone interested in playing hockey can
contact LT Dave Morey at ext. 7601.
CE1 Mulholland cools down after a hard
nighfs practice.
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The White Falcon