NZ U18 Team in Hosa, China  for the U18 Div III Tournament in Hosa, Beijing

NZ Won 2 (vs Turkey and South Africa) 

NZ Lost 3 (vs Spain, Iceland and China)

They came 4th in the Tournament 

We were ranked 5th going into the tournament 

MVP for NZ for the tournament was Martin Lee 

Full Stats the tournament is here

Photos are all here 

Photos from Auckland U18 Camp 

 

2007 NZIHF U18 Practice Game 2 (Thurs) Score 4-2 to Ice Blacks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoraki/sets/72157594564886136/

 

2007 U18 Team Photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoraki/sets/72157594555377231/

 

NZIHF U18 2007 Wed PM Practice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoraki/sets/72157594561485555/

 

2007 U18 1st Practice Game

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoraki/sets/72157594555376245/

 

Practice Session on 24/2 - Botany PM - http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoraki/sets/72157594554500678/

Link to International Hockey Gang Discussion Forum on this Tournament

Link to Official IIHF Tournament Site 

KMZ File here for Rink Location - Open with Google Earth

KMZ file here for Location of Inner Mongolia Hotel - Open with Google Earth

NZIHF U18 Team for 2007 - Competing in Hosa Ice Centre, Beijing, China

NZIHF NZ U18 Team - Applications sought for Assistant Mgr  uptd 3/12

Applications are sought for Assistant Manager for the NZ U18 Team that is travelling to travelling to China in March 2007

Application Forms  excel  html

Applications close 15th December 2006

NZ Drew 4-4 vs Israel 

Sth Africa was beaten by Romania 8-0

NZ came 4th in the Tournament

Photos from the Romania Tournament Site are here 

http://www.sportclub.ro/sportclub/tartalom/wc18/foto/

Hi All

The big day has arrived, we have just finished breakfast and the boys have gone to practice.The team knows the job and now we can only wait. They are all in good spirit and are ready to take on the Israely team. Talking to SA they had not done their calculation properly and did not realise NZ were there pushing for silver and look more likely to achieve that than they are. Should be a great day of hockey with Turkey and Bulgaria FIGHTING it out for who stays up, and then 3 team playing for silver. You could not ask for a better way to finish a tournament.

Well this will most likely be our last email as we depart Cuic tomorrow at 10.00am. We are all going to Draculars Castle then on to a village for a swim and skiing. We will have dinner then then depart around 2030 for Bucharest expecting to arrive at the airport around 0300 in the morning. Going to be a long day.

It has been a pleasure to take this team away, For any one to be away this long is not easy and mums, yes you will notice a change in your son. They have all behaved and have presented themselves as admirably.

Finally a big thanks must go to all you parents who without you this trip would not have been possible. It hase been and expensive trip for you all but it certainly has been a great experience for each and every one. I am sure everyyone will see the difference in the improvement and the ability of these players. Dmitry and George have done a fantastic job. I would like to also thank my 2 right hands Ellen and Trisha who have done a magnificent job and helping getting these players through this long trip.

Well that it thanks all will se you in NZ

Ths Neal

The NZ flag was raised for the first time last night and our the players along with hundreds of spectators heard our fantastic National anthem after NZ beat Turkey in a dazzling display of ice hockey. NZ raised a few eye brows and sent shivers down the back of others after NZ with to much speed and passing which had to be seen to be believed, beat Turkey 17-1. All players hit the ice and those who have not seen to much really have now given the coaches a real headache as they all the most of their opportunity.

Scorers were

Lee 5 Hay 4 Harrop 2 L Idoine 2 Speck 2 Vlok 1 Durbin 1

Needless to say it is a very happy camp and the boys are now looking forward to Israel, where if they win they should be assured of silver that is if Romamia (already assured of gold)continue on there winning way and beat SA which they should quite easily. Romania is a very good team and thoroughly deserve gold.

Wee that it for now, it is snowing again, the bogs have practice at 1300 and then free afternoon

I will try and ring the result trough tomrrow so keep checking the web and emails. We play at 1630 tomorrow which i think is around 3.30am yours. So we should be finished around 5.30-600am.

Thanks for all the emails, they really are great.

From a very cold Transylvania Bye for now And remember if any one can a KIWI can

Neal

Hi all,

Just a quick report on our game last night, the boys drew 3 all with Bugaria in another game which we should have won. But unfortuneately the puck just would not go in the back of the net. NZ put 52 shots on the Bulgarian Keeper who played extremely well. Our boys played well but as I said could not quite finish it off. The boys are now focused with the job ahead as they now determine their own fate. We belive we can still get up and win silver. We need to win the next 2 games and hope Romania beat Israel. That would leave Israel and NZ on equal points and I think that we may win on a count back on who beat who, I will have to check that is the case.

Thks all, Neal

Game 2 against Romamia. We have put that game behind us and are looking forward to Bulgaria.

I am sorry no photos my camera has been stolen also.

The score against Romania was 0-14

Cheers Neal

(uploaded these to the U18 NZ Photos) 

http://www.sportclub.ro/sportclub/tartalom/wc18/foto/

Hi All,

We heve now been here 3 days and all is fine, all the boys are well only one with a leg injury that did keep him out of the first game. We treated him and then had him looked at by the doctor. He advised us that he must have operation and will not be able to play again for the rest of the trip. I did question his finding, so we therefore had him looked at again by a sugeon and he advise that his leg is fine and that we had been treating correctly and he should be back on the ice next game. He will only need to have a bandage to help support his knee.

Well done team.

The first game is now over and by now most will know the score, for those who don’t it was against South Africe who are second seeded and the score was 4 – 4

This game was for our winning, we let SA in with very easy goals and we did not capitilise on our chances which there were plenty, however a draw I am a lot happier than the coach.

Those who scored were in the 25th minute Parus Goodard asisted by James Herbert

In the 29th minute Martin lee scored assisted by Braedyn Durbin.

31st minute Josh Hay assited by Lyle Idoine

and then our equalising goal came in the 54th minute Lyle scored assisted by Josh.

The first period we were down 0-2

End of second score was 3-2

With 6 minutes to go of the 3rd the score was 3-4 and the pressure was on but that goal by Lyle was a beauty.

We have just finished breakfast ann training is at 11-15, game tonight is at 2000 against the No 1 team Romania who bet Bulgaria comfortably last night.

Israel put away Turkey 14-3.

That is it from Transylvania.  Neal

NZ Drew opening game of the tournament vs South Africa 4-4

Details on the games, stats, scorers, schedule can be found on a local site in Romania that is more uptodate than the IIHF site.

Something about the Tournament in this article   http://www.libertatea.ro/index.php?section=articole&screen=stire&sid=146462 

(Stats are here:
http://sportclub.ro/sportclub /tartalom.php?name=wc18&file =game&id_game=1
and the scheudle and link to further games is here:
http://sportclub.ro/sportclub /tartalom.php?name=wc18&file =index

Hi All

Well we have arrived in Mercerea Ciuc after along day, 6 hours in the bus to finish off. How ever we have arrived and the hotel is very good, they had a meal waiting for us on our arrival which the boys were hanging out for. It was all to the rooms and sleep. This morning was a sleep in with breakfast 0830. Good breakfast. 0930 we took all our gear to the rink which is only 20 meters away. Ice rink very good with plenty of seating. We have our first practice at 1630. The boys are in there rooms resting at the moment.

Everyone is fine, we have a injury with one player but he hopes to get on the ice today to try out his leg.

We do have free access to the web from our hotel but can not get it to connect, will have to try and get some one to help. The internet cafe is only 200 meters from the hotel so we should be able to continue with our communication. I hope you all are enjoying it.

I will try and get some photos to you so you can make your own judgement on Mercerea Ciuc.

Well that it for not much, but will be on the air again after our first game tomorrow against SA

Bye for now. Neal and the Team 

Hi All,

I think I messed up my days but today is Friday (Day 13) and our last day in Steindorf. The boys have all packed and I will be waking them at 0645 for breakfast. They will then have training at 0800 for hour and then off to Vienna where we overnight before departing to Romania. We will be making a stop over at the factory shops; hopefully they will be a lot cheaper than what we have experienced so far.

Yesterday (Day 12) was something special, yes it was Martins birthday and we did the traditional sing a long and gave him his cake. But it will be a birthday for him and everyone to remember as we went into Venice.

I am sure everyone enjoyed the trip and well worth the money. Venice is magnificent filled with thousands of years of history and it is hard to believe it will not be here in 250 years as it is sinking.

I will not try and tell you to much about Venice as I will not do it justice and may not get it right, I am sure the boys will tell you along with photos on their arrival back in NZ. But if anyone get the opportunity to go, grab it.

We arrived back in Steindorf at 1945 and we straight into dinner. The boys were very hungry. The rookies did the birthday song for Marty and then we presented the Gunther and his family with gifts for really looking after us. WE certainly will be fortunate if we get the same in Romania. (Wake up Neal) I don’t think so.

2200 All back to their rooms for a early night.

Well as I said we are off to Vienna toady, The hotel is directly opposite the airport. We should be there around 1500.

Once we get to Romanaia hopefully we will be able to continue the emails, but please understand if they are not as frequent. We will do our best to keep you up with the results. Everyone is well and fit.

That’s about it; the next part of our trip begins so from beautiful Steindorf we say good bye. Enjoy the photos Neal and the Team.

Hi Everyone,

Well it has been very quiet here for the last few days, the snow on day 8 was something, they say it was the most they have had since 1987. Normally very little snow in March but so far they have had 3 meters of snow.

It was a little disappointing about the game how ever it did give the boys a blowout. The game stopped for a power cut so they went and had a shower and some of the other team went home. Almost an hour later the power came back on so back on with the gear to finish the game.

Day 10 (Today)

It is 0600 and it looks like it is going to be another beautiful day. Overall the weather has been fantastic. Very cold, our soft drink which we leave out on the terrace is frozen.

Today we will start with breakfast at 0800, training is then scheduled for 0930 for one hour. It is then back to hotel for lunch, rest and then the game against a U/18 team.

I will try and give a quick report tonight for you all to wake up to on the game.

Tomorrow is complete rest day (Day off) and yes we are off to Venice. Everyone is really looking forward to this. We will be departing immediately after breakfast which is scheduled for 0700. 3-4 hour bus ride and Venice, shopping, sightseeing for 2-1/2 hours and then back to the hotel. 

We were offered free tickets to the big game in Villach but we decided against because of the time factor. The boys have an early practice the following morning and then we depart Steindorf for Vienna. The boys also need to pack which is going to be interesting.  I do not think any of these boys know how to fold cloths. At the moment their cloths are spread across the floordrobes in their rooms.

We have had a great time in Austria and I would certainly recommend it for future training camps. The boys have trained well and I am sure the two coaches have now there 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines firmly set. 

Once we arrive in Vienna we start. Things will change a little for the team, there will be a more disciplined culture required different from the relaxed atmosphere of Steindorf. We now become New Zealand representative’s, representing our country at a World Class competition which will require a more focused and disciplined attitude in the way we operate. Our regular news broadcast may take a turn down, as we are not sure of the availability of internet access once we hit Romania. We do know that the IIHF will be posting results on their web site, but we will try to do our best to bring you up to date new. We have a video of the HAKA that the boys did the other day and have tried to send it through but it is ten meg and am having trouble getting it through. 

Later Neal  

Just a day of chilling out, they had a two hour practice at 1500. Josh was unable to train due to his skates rubbing and causing a pressure point just above his ankle. Josh and I did the rounds at the local shops to try and find items that will allow us to fix his skate and leg. Hopefully it will be find for practice today and the game tonight (day 10).
It was then a dash to Villach to get Gordons skates fixed. The rivots required replacing only but he needed them for today.

The boys’ washing is being done on a regular basis. Trisha is kept very busy and our room looks like a Chinese laundry.
I think the boys are going to get a very big shock when we move to Romania, especially with the food. The food here has been excellent, last night tea was soup, creamy cheese and the main was a choice of roast beef and vegetables or roast chicken and roast potatoes which I had it was delicious. To finish of was a lovely dessert.

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick not to say we play our first game today,we are playing an u18 combined team. Should be very good game,  Boys have had message, training yesterday after return from Villach was far below average. Time to step it up. Boys all agree.   Haka went very well,

I will be on the air again maybe after game to let you no score etc. 

......Hi Everyone,

Sorry a bit of a let down, the game got to the 18th minute and because of the snow fall we have had to day we encountered a major power failure and the game had to be called off. The score was 1-2 to Steindorf. However the boys got to do thehaka and did play very well.

The locals are saying never before have they seen this much snow. Half a metre in 5 hours and it is still coming down.

We had to walk through knee high snow to get to the rink as it was just impossible to take the vans.

I recorded the haka so I will pass it on to Peter (ed not received yet) and hopefully he can get it on the web for you all, it was great.

Cheers Neal

Sat Mar 4

More photos from Steindorf of U18 Team  uptd 4/3

It is 0500 in the morning, but today we have only the one training at 1500, so we intend to have breakfast and then drive to Tarvisio which is in Italy about 50 miles away. A quick look around at the leather markets and a hockey shop which is on the way not far from Tarvisio and then back for training.

Everything is going extremely well, the boys are all in good spirit and having a great time. We have one boy Stefan Spiekjman, who has a small dose of tonsillitis, the doctor has seen him and he is under treatment and is now recovering well. He attended training only to watch and came to the game last night. He also managed to have tea last night which is a sure indication he is on the mend and hopefully will be on the ice by Sunday.

Hopefully the rest of Mathews gear will arrive today.

Well that is about it for now from this beautiful place. I will be on the air again Saturday to bring you the latest.

Feel free to send emails to us through my address and I will pass them on.

Few more photos published today 3/3 Click Here

.... continued Today was excellent; we were up and had breakfast at 0800. 0930 we departed for Treavisio in Italy. We did have to make a stop at a hockey in Villach to have Mr. Gaffikins blade replaced. This shop had everything, but was very expensive. We were there for about an hour then we were on our way again. Once in Treavisio, it didn’t take long to find the leather markets and the boys were off. We only could stay for about an hour as we had training at 1500. A few purchasers were made but overall the boys just looked.

On the way home our asst coach took the wrong turn and landed in big trouble. He ended up on the Auto Barn without the required toll sticker and what we think the officer meant was a warrent. The officer indicated that he was in big trouble; van was over weight, no stickers, and few other infringements. Wasn’t looking good for our Canadian friend.

How ever George managed to talk his way out of it (being all in the Black of a New Zealand represenitive helped) and the infringement notice was ripped up in front of him. I think we have used all our ‘get out of jail cards’ up.

1500 the boys had practice so off to the rink. The training’s are going very well. Both coaches are extremely happy with the progress that has been made so far.

We have a dummy of the day award and today it was Zak, gets to wear a large pink plastic babies dummy purchased by the camp mothers Ellen and Trish . Who gets it to wear` it for the day is decided by the players, not sure what Zak did but must wear it.

Brought another beautiful day.

All up and breakfast was at 0800. Training started at 1030. So no injuries and everyone looking good. Back to the hotel for a rest before lunch where at 1300 we received pizzas. Time out after lunch, before the second trainings for the day at 1700. Gunther the Hotel owner where we are staying, is a sponsor for Ice Hockey here, gave us tickets for a game between ESC Pirker Mobel which is the home team from Steindorf and the team EC Pasut VSV U20. I hope I got this all correct anyway the home team won 5-1 in a quite a good game of hockey.

The game started at 1930 so it was a bit of a rush after training which finished at 1815 back to the hotel, dinner and them back down to the rink.

Well it is 0430 in the morning and I am writing this letter, so nothing has happened. It is very quiet, very cold outside, we leave all our drink etc outside on the terrace, better known as our fridge. Breakfast is at 0800, we then intend to go to Klagenfurt (I think) for a few hours, back to the hotel for lunch and training at 1500.

Everyone is well; only one boy has a slight sore throat which is being treated. They are enjoying themselves in one of the prettiest places I have seen. I think we will find it very different in Romania, so we intend to make the most of our time here.

Well day 3 as I said earlier, we all had breakfast and hit the road for Klagenfurt. Another beautiful place, but very cold, the sun did not get past the buildings and many of the streets were shaded because of it. The boys are being very selective on their buying as it is very expensive.

Back to the Hotel for lunch which was a little disappointing, dry sandwiches, (no butter) we wont have those again, but they did the job. We filled the gap with bananas, oranges, apples and fruit which we had purchased.

1500 was practice, I am not getting over confidence but this team is looking very good and improving with every practice. They are certainly giving there all.

0ne player was given the opportunity to earn some very valuable euros and he took the challenge and received 50 euro for running back to the hotel from the rink with only his thong on. All in good fun (sorry no photo attached mum) I am sure the name and the photos will follow.

Dinner at 1930 was soup mixed grill with French fries salads and a festival bun for dessert, or option 2 was soup, a traditional Austrian meal, festival bun. Bread is now also served with our meals. Great news with the arrival of Mathews playing gear, he was looking forward to practice in the morning.

All retired to there rooms for the night.

We woke up to one of the prettiest sights imaginable, it had been snowing all night and there was a thick blanket of snow all around. We look from our Hotel to the now frozen lake and 180 degree views all around, absolutely fantastic, I will attach some photos.

Breakfast was at 0800. This included a selection of cereals, yogurts, bread, ham, cheese and drink, no complaints, excellent.

At 0930 we had our first meeting with the boys, including the naming of our captains. Congratulation to James Gaffikin (captain) Lyle Idoine (Asst) and Braedyn Durbin (Asst)

The boys had time out until 1200 so they made most of the snow with having snow ball fights.

We received the vans just after lunch so we immediately went to Villach, about 20 minutes, for lunch and a bit of shopping. Not much of the second option was done as very expensive.

Training was at 1700 so back to the rink. The coach was much happier as training went very well. Dinner was set for 2000 (8.00pm). We have the option of two menus, soup and roast venison, or turkey pasta with vegetable and salads and marble cake. What a choice, not to bad is it. Very nice.

2130 The boys and the management retired for the evening.

We arrived in Vienna very tied but on time; by gosh it is a long way. Austrian Airline were great. Thanks to Debra we got away with paying nothing in excess baggage in the South. For us in the North I showed them (Air NZ) our itinerary which showed 30kg each and they accepted this. After weighing all our gear in we came in 2 kg (328kg) under the total allowed (330) . Unfortunately we did have some gear go missing but thanks to Walter Speck who met us here we managed to help us locate it and it is now on its way to us. The gear was only tagged for Melbourne which I could not understand as all the rest came OK. We are hoping for our training black board will also turn up as this went missing also.

The bus was waiting for us on our arrival so we then started our 4 hour trip to Steindorf. The boys were tied so it was a quiet but beautiful trip. Stopping at a truck stop for lunch. (Picture 1).

We finally arrived at our Holliday Inn accommodation 31-1/2 hours after leaving NZ Rooms were allocated and the boys settled in. We arranged a snack for the boys and after that they retired to their rooms until training. Not before the initiation took place for a few of the players.

Training was set for 1930 so the boys walked to the rink. Unfortunately for a couple of them, they did not wake up in time and missed it (they made up for it the next morning Day Two at 0700. Our hotel is set back up and I mean up the mountain approx 200m, very steep, so the coach who was up also, had them running 3 times up and down the mountain road. I am pretty sure the boys did not mind and may have thought they got off lightly) Dinner that night was soup, pork and mushrooms and side salads with ice cream for dessert . Very nice

Neal forwarded this today. All are well, and look happy.  Jjust a couple of pictures from our day today in villach. Boys had a good practice but tired , lots of snow and very picturesque. 

Photos can be found here

All Photos I receive from the team or supporters will be posted here  (uptd 28/2/06)

If you have any photos or news that you like added to this page please email the NZIHF Webmaster mailto:webmaster@nzicehockey.co.nz

NZ U18 Leaving Auckland Airport for Vienna    (uptd 26/2//06)

NZ U18 Team Newsletter No 8 - 16 Feb 2006  (uptd16/2//06)

NZ U18 Team Newsletter No 7 - 26 Jan 2006  (uptd 26/1//06)

NZ U18 Team Newsletter No 6 - 22nd Dec 2005  (uptd 25/1/06)

IIHF Rule Emphasis for 2005/2006 Tournaments  (uptd 25/1/06)

NZ U18 Team Newsletter No 5 - 8th Sept 2005  (uptd 12/11/05)

NZ U18 Team Newsletter No 4 - 8th Sept 2005  (uptd 8/11/05)

 NZ U18 Letter for Schools / Work - 8th Sept 2005 (uptd 8/11/05)

Newsletter No 3 - 20th Sept 2005  (uptd 23/9/05)

Newsletter No 2 - Introduction Pack - handed out at Chch Nationals - August (uptd 5/9/05)

Newsletter No 1 - Introductory Letter - handed out at Chch Nationals - August (uptd 5/9/05)

The NZ U18 Squad for the 2006 IIHF U18 Div III Tournament was selected and named at the Nationals - the following is the extended squad.  

The tournament will be held in Metula Israel from 13th - 20th March 2006.  The training camp is likely to be in Steindorf, Austria.

The 2005 NZ U18 Team Updates from Kiev, Ukraine

Tournament Poster

The 2005 News from Sofia Bulgaria U18 Tournament  uptd 12/3/05

Photos from Sofia, Bulgaria  uptd 9/3/05

The 2005 New Zealand U18 Team will travel to Kiev for training in March 2005 and to Sofia Bulgaria for the IIHF World U18 Champs in March 2005

Insurance Police for U18 Team  uptd 172//05)

Newsletter Number 6 - 14th Feb 2005  (uptd 172//05)

World U18 Team Ranking  (uptd 6/2/05)

Newsletter Number 5 - 13th Jan 2005  (uptd 13/10/05)

Special Newsletter for Supporters - 27 Oct 2004 (uptd 30/10/04)

IIHF Name Bars & Player Sizes  (uptd 30/10/04)

Newsletter Number 3 - 27th October 2004 (uptd 30/10/04)

2005 Team list with Photos   (uptd 18/1/05) 

Newsletter Number 2 - 14th October 2004 (uptd 14/10/04)

Link to IIHF Tournament Site & Draw  (uptd 7/10/04)

The Introductary Newsletter #1 6th Sept 2004 

Therapueutic Drug Use Application Form

The 2005 Team List, information, newsletters will appear here shortly..

The 2004 Trip report can be found here