Greensboro Stars In Sweden

Overview

2004-09-14T11:22:00.000+02:00

The Greensboro Stars have trained all summer on the ice and off to prepare for this tournament. 64 teams will be competing, including the best teams in Sweden and teams from Finland, Norway, Latvia, Germany, Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Russia.

The Stars will arrive in Gothenburg on September 5. They will stay in rink-side cabins in Kungsbacka, Sweden, practicing each morning and competing in two exhibition games on Monday and Tuesday evenings. In the afternoons they will explore the archapelago along the Swedish coast and the town and waterways of Gothenburg. On Wednesday, the team will travel to Karlstad to begin competition in the Resport Trophy Tournament.

This is a once in a life time opportunity for these young men, and this site is dedicated to capturing their experiences.

2004-09-14T11:20:00.000+02:00

Greensboro Stars: Front row: Logan Robbins, Matt Valentine, second row: Matthew Oakley, Ian Snelgrove, Brendan Frosheiser, Scott Turner, Kellen Kromm, Matt Mohorn, back row: Coach Tom Frosheiser, Coach Dave Sunda, Matt Wrightson, Garrett Martin, DJ Thomas, Sean Ozment, Devan Howlett, Garrett Sunda, Coaches Hal Mohorn, Geoff Snelgrove, Doug Thomas. Not pictured Dylan Quintilone, Andreas Orhnberg, and Coach Anders Orhnberg

2004-09-13T01:11:00.000+02:00

In the game against Hofors HC, Devan Howlett exchanges banners and shakes hands with the referees. I'll update the blog as time and internet access permits. Hit archive to see all the pictures. In summary, we won 4-3 against Hofors HC then lost 1-2 against Farjestads BK then lost 2-6 against Hammarby IF. Hammarby went on to win the whole tournament. Farjestads BK finished 8th. One team that made the finals we beat in an exhibition game earlier in the week. We congratulate the Hanhals club for their fine effort. Finishing 3rd, we went on to play other 3rd place teams at Hammaro Ishall on Saturday. We lost in overtime in a shootout. We won the next game and finished with an overtime loss in a late evening game on Saturday. We finished ranked 22 out of 62 teams, not bad for a team from North Carolina. The people running the tournament could not have been nicer. We were told that European teams would not be use to checking. When they played each other, we noticed very little checking. When they played us, they checked just fine. In general, I found European players to be elusive and fast with their stickhandling and skating. They had such good balance that they were well prepared for a little more contact.

2004-09-13T00:43:00.000+02:00

We make the local paper. The article says the team Hammarby is the favorite to win the Resport Trophy. Then the article asks, What about the Americans? With 62 teams this is the largest junior tournament in Europe. We have watched Hammarby beat team after team by 15 goals in 2 periods. They are clearly the favorite, and we get to play them tonight!

2004-09-13T00:37:00.000+02:00

When you're suppose to be sleeping in 2 large table tennis rooms, it is hard to find time sleep between ping pong and hockey.

2004-09-13T00:33:00.000+02:00

Brendan Frosheiser ready for breakfast...barely.

2004-09-13T00:31:00.000+02:00

Friday morning walking back to the rink. Note the flags from Sweden, Denmark, and the US.

2004-09-13T00:28:00.000+02:00

4 games in one day! No problem with nice locker rooms to leave our gear, a place to eat and sleep one block away, and this beautiful rink in which to play. We finished the first day 3-0-1.

2004-09-13T00:23:00.000+02:00

DJ Thomas draws a tripping call. Penalty Shot!

2004-09-13T00:19:00.000+02:00

Sean Ozment moved to wing and got things going for the Stars. The Stars went on to win 8-1 against Kil AIK.

2004-09-13T00:17:00.000+02:00

Garrett Martin fights for the puck through traffic.

2004-09-13T00:15:00.000+02:00

Andreas Ohrnberg showing speed and determination as he races for the puck.

2004-09-13T00:13:00.000+02:00

Ian Snelgrove wishes the player from Kil, Sweden luck as they exchange banners. Kil was the host team for us during the 1st 2 days. They have a beautiful rink, and the people were very friendly.

2004-09-13T00:09:00.000+02:00

Garrett celebrates the goal. The Stars won 6-3.

2004-09-12T23:51:00.000+02:00

Garrett Martin sets up for a shot.

2004-09-12T23:48:00.000+02:00

Matt Wrightson blasts a slapshot.

2004-09-12T23:46:00.000+02:00

DJ got it going again for the Stars in the third game. DJ ended up 2nd in our initial group of 8 teams in scoring.

2004-09-12T23:42:00.000+02:00

Matthew Valentine did the honors, exchanging banners with Jakob Forsell of D/E Hockey before our third game on Thursday.

2004-09-12T23:37:00.000+02:00

Brendan Frosheiser fights for the puck while Garrett Sunda gives support

2004-09-12T23:35:00.000+02:00

Dylan Quintilone getting in on the action against the Dutch team.

2004-09-12T23:14:00.000+02:00

Andreas Ohrnberg and Matthew Mohorn celebrate after Matthew's goal. The Stars tied the team from Denmark in this second game.

2004-09-10T17:21:00.000+02:00

In the first period of our first tournament game, Avrika got out to a 3-0 lead, but the Stars fought back in large part to the heroics of DJ Thomas. He finished the game with this empty-net goal! DJ was selected MVP for the game.

2004-09-10T15:35:00.000+02:00

Wednesday evening in Kil, Sweden, we participate in the Tournament Face Off with Garrett Martin of the Stars, Sebastian Eliasson and Tournament Director Kjell Loren.

2004-09-10T15:30:00.000+02:00

Ready to ship off on our boat tour with our captain (coach) Geoff Snelgrove

2004-09-10T15:29:00.000+02:00

From the train, we walked 15 minutes through Gothenburg to a boat tour.

2004-09-10T15:27:00.000+02:00

On Wednesday after practice, we take the train in to Gothenburg

2004-09-09T15:00:00.000+02:00

The Stars during our national anthem before our first game of the tournament which was against Avrika.

2004-09-09T03:00:00.000+02:00

Matthew Mohorn exchanged banners with a player from the Dutch team before our second game. This is a tradition in Europe that we did not know about until a few weeks ago. Matthew's grandmother made ours.

2004-09-08T00:44:00.000+02:00

After the 2nd exhibition game, its off to dinner and World Cup Hockey on the big screen

2004-09-08T00:42:00.000+02:00

The teams exchanged pins after the game. Brendan Frosheiser, Devan Howlett and Garrett Sunda were credited with assists.

2004-09-08T00:40:00.000+02:00

The Stars won 5 to 3 against Hanhals with Matt Wrightson, Andreas Ohrnberg, Garrett Sunda, and Garrett Martin among the scorers.

2004-09-08T00:37:00.000+02:00

The Stars taking care of business

2004-09-08T00:36:00.000+02:00

Face off against the Hanhals

2004-09-08T00:35:00.000+02:00

DJ accepts banner from the Hanhals' captain before our second exhibition game

2004-09-08T00:33:00.000+02:00

A pregame snack

2004-09-08T00:32:00.000+02:00

On the rocks at Gottskart

2004-09-08T00:31:00.000+02:00

Gottskart a beautiful place 15 minutes from the rink and cabins

2004-09-08T00:29:00.000+02:00

Tuesday afternoon at the Volvo Factory...no cameras allowed.

2004-09-08T00:27:00.000+02:00

Hey this escalator has no steps. We knew we should have brought skateboards!

2004-09-08T00:26:00.000+02:00

DJ, Devan, and Matt shop for skate guards, but they can't resist the field hockey stuff!

2004-09-08T00:24:00.000+02:00

Swedish nutritional supplements after practice

2004-09-08T00:22:00.000+02:00

Matt Oakley practices his slap shot

2004-09-08T00:21:00.000+02:00

DJ, Garrett Sunda, and Matt Wrightson take a break

2004-09-08T00:18:00.000+02:00

Garret Martin and Kellen Kromm at the morning practice on Tuesday

2004-09-06T23:18:00.000+02:00

Sean Ozment...ready for bed

2004-09-06T23:17:00.000+02:00

After the 1st exhibition game, the Stars kick back in the "VIP" room at the rink for pizza and a movie....the end of day 2.

2004-09-06T23:14:00.000+02:00

The Stars celebrate the win.

2004-09-06T23:13:00.000+02:00

The final score was 8-6, with the Stars on top. DJ scored 5 goals. Matthew Mohorn scored 2, Andreas Ohrnberg scored 1. #10, Mattson scored a hat trick for the Kings, Johnsson scored two, and Sunne scored one for the Kings.

2004-09-06T23:10:00.001+02:00

Garrett Sunda on the Face-off

2004-09-06T23:10:00.000+02:00

This first exhibition game was close in the 1st of 2 20 minute periods. The Kings led 1-0 most of the 1st until DJ scored his first goal.

2004-09-06T23:07:00.000+02:00

Andreas Ohrnberg- the big Swede.

2004-09-06T23:02:00.000+02:00

Sean Ozment brought his game face

2004-09-06T23:01:00.000+02:00

The Stars prepare for the game vs the HK Kings

2004-09-06T23:00:00.000+02:00

We traded pins before the game.

2004-09-06T22:59:00.000+02:00

Our opponents during the national anthems

2004-09-06T22:58:00.000+02:00

After practice our gear is back in the trailer and it is back to Kungsbacka for an exhibition game vs the HK Kings Kungsbacka.

2004-09-06T22:56:00.000+02:00

Practice was fun

2004-09-06T22:55:00.000+02:00

Anders makes a point.

2004-09-06T22:53:00.000+02:00

Coach Anders gives our players the experience of a Swedish hockey practice.

2004-09-06T22:50:00.000+02:00

We watch the pro team, the Frolunda Indians practice before us.

2004-09-06T22:49:00.000+02:00

Practice time in Gothenburg. Coach Tom Frosheiser smiles because he forgot his skates.

2004-09-06T22:46:00.000+02:00

Matthew Oakley e-mails home

2004-09-06T22:41:00.000+02:00

The Ohrnbergs treat us to a cookout upon our arrival.

2004-09-06T22:39:00.000+02:00

Brendan Frosheiser and David Turner chillin' in their cabin.

2004-09-06T22:38:00.000+02:00

Just beside our cabins in Kungsbacka, Sweden are these awesome soccer fields.

2004-09-06T22:36:00.000+02:00

Andreas sees his good friend Matthew Mohorn and his new team mates.

2004-09-06T22:35:00.000+02:00

Coach Anders Ohrnberg coordinates ground transportation- Happy Birthday Anders!

2004-09-06T22:33:00.000+02:00

We must be in Sweden!

2004-09-06T22:31:00.000+02:00

Pillow-head Matthew Wrightson needs to get off this plane before he goes crazy... maybe it is too late.

2004-09-06T22:29:00.000+02:00

Almost in Sweden- We've been on planes long enough.

2004-09-06T22:28:00.000+02:00

Soda pop for breakfast- Matthew, you're momma would not approve!

2004-09-06T22:26:00.000+02:00

Breakfast of Champions

2004-09-06T22:25:00.000+02:00

We're tired, but not too tired to appreciate a hot car.

2004-09-06T22:24:00.000+02:00

Amsterdam Airport

2004-09-06T22:23:00.000+02:00

On the way to Amsterdam

2004-09-06T22:22:00.000+02:00

Matthew doing some homework in the airport.

2004-09-06T22:21:00.000+02:00

If only this was for money, 'cause I have a great poker face!

2004-09-06T22:19:00.000+02:00

DJ and Sean are in on the action

2004-09-06T22:18:00.000+02:00

On their way to Sweden, we take a little time in the Detroit airport for a quick card game.