So whats this all about is what you ask…? Over the last decade, I have travelled globally to some great places and met some remarkable people. I have played competitive hockey in the USA, Canada, Latvia, Iceland, Germany, China, Holland, Sweden and Czech Republic to name a few. Chances are if you are reading this blog you have played alongside of me on one or more of those “tours”. There was a common thread that linked all of us, and that was the love of the game of hockey, AND where it could take us regarding seeing new things and meeting new people. Everyone plays basketball, or soccer or tennis etc, there are courts everywhere for those types of things, but there are only so many rinks around. You see the commercials of parents lugging kids to early practice or calling them off the frozen pond to come inside for dinner. We all lived that to some degree or another. You dont just play hockey, you live it. The people that you meet across the world that play hockey are VERY similar to the ones you know in your home area. So why meet some of them and let them show you around their country, behind the scenes away from the tourist BS.
Anyhow. Along the way I have met some raelly cool “ambassadors” as I call them. People who can organize competitive and fun teams or trips. Guys like Ken Shtino in Chicago, Peter Mellqvist in Sweden, Mike Armilio in New York, Chris Teevens in Boston, Jean-Pierre Maruenda in Zurich to name a few. And I thought, wow, what if there was a place where we could all go to find out more info about upcoming hockey tournaments or hockey events worldwide??
Prime Example: While travelling in Munich Germay this year I met up with a fellow ambassador Markus Nirschl. He has a team called the Geronimo Stars. Check out their website at www.geronimo-stars.de. He runs tournaments and camps in Europe-Asia-and Australia. After a long 16 hour flt from LA to Munich somehow he convince me to play with his semi-pro team that night. But while relaxing after the game he informed me of his annual OKTOBERFEST Tourney Sept 17-21. Of course I called my fellow wingmen in the USA and said pack your bags the next trip is already in the works! The PLT rolls on!
One door opens another and the list goes on and on of stories just like the one you read above. I have got invites to bring teams to play in Beijing, Bangkok, Vancouver, Finland, you name it… you get my point. I’d like to use this blog to spread the word about the Pro Leisure Tour and future events. I would also encourage you to pass this along to any of your other hockey pals. If you know if any events in your area then pass the word along, the ProLeisureTour might make the next stop there.
Until next time, just remember one thing: the older we get, the better we were..!
Signed-
TIM DYER “THE GM”
Official Blog of the Pro Leisure Tour 