A group of young ice hockey players from the Big Apple will travel across the pond this week – thanks to the help of sports fans in the city of Sheffield.
Youngsters from New York Titans Junior Ice Hockey Club, who are linked to the world famous New York Rangers, will descend on the city as part of an annual exchanges, which last year saw Sheffield players make the journey to visit New York
The tour had earlier been in doubt due to the economic downturn, until organisers of the event rallied round and raised enough funds to ensure the party, made up of 30 people with kids between the ages of seven and 12, could travel.
Sean Ibrahim, organiser of the event and ex-official of Cardiff Junior Devils, said: “Last year, 80 kids and parents from Sheffield Scimitars Junior team flew over to New York to play a series of games. This year, we wanted to return the favour and invite the New York team to England.
“But because of the financial crisis, the escalating costs were proving too much so we decided to host raffles to raise some of the funds needed to ensure the tour could go ahead.
“We are also lending the New York team players from the other teams involved in the tour, as numbers are slightly more limited this year.”
Prizes at the raffles have included at signed hat worn by top Pittsburgh Penguins player, Rob Scruderi, when his team collected the Stanley Cup, as well as signed Manchester United memorabilia donated by the club.
Home games will take place at iceSheffield, and will include matches against Sutton Sting, Manchester Phoenix Juniors, Cardiff Junior Devils and Kingston Junior.
Sean added: “This event is the first of its kind in Sheffield so we are all really excited and we hope that the tour encourages people to get involved in ice hockey, even just as a spectator.”
There will also be a special match between the Globetrotters, made up of coaches from the New York team and some veteran players from the city, including ex-Sheffield Scimitars coach, Ron Shudra, who will play the Sheffield Blazers.
Shaun Ashton, ice hockey programme co-ordinator at Sheffield International Venues (SIV) managed iceSheffield, said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a fantastic event at iceSheffield. The fact that the people of Sheffield have rallied round to ensure the tour can still take place shows their enthusiasm for the sport, and I don’t doubt that there will be a fantastic turn out.”
The tournament takes place at iceSheffield from 16 – 19 July and is free to attend.
