Exhibition Game #1

So we played our first exhibition game last night against Rouen. There were a pretty average team, but have been skating for two weeks while our team has only been working out for the past week. It showed. We lost 8-5 with them scoring an empty net goal. Our team never really came together except in short bursts. We also took alot of penalties as the too often our guys got caught standing still. Still for a first game, it wasn't a bad effort. I played with Mikka (the Finn) and we seemed to play better as the game went on and we adjusted to each other. I was on the ice for three goals for (two even strength, one short-handed) and three against (one even strength, one penalty-killing, and the empty netter). I think I also marked one assist, but I'm not sure if the refs got it or not.

The rink in Rouen is really nice and has the feel of a small WHL rink, except for it's Olympic sized ice surface. I have a couple of pictures, but since my ace photographer (Mindy) has not yet arrived, none of the game and of course no video.

The ouside of the rink in Rouen

And of course, the ice surface.

The team getting ready for the game. That's me on the far right just entering the face-off circle.

A real French dinner...with a Canadian twist

One of the main people, on this side of the ocean, involved in bringing import players over to the Asnieres Hockey Club is Robert Guimond, a fellow Canadian who is now living in Paris with his French-born wife Corrine, who grew up in Toronto and speaks true Canadian english with a slightly eastern accent. After practice on Friday evening, Robert and Corrine invited the imports and their sigficant others over to their place for dinner along with the team president, Mr. Christophe Cuzin.

It was a fabulous meal as Corrine prepared a pasta salad, chicken curry, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, salmon quiche, and a fabulous saussage and spinach pasta dish. It was a feast for kings. Of course I can't forget the fabulous dessert of terramiso and fresh fruit. Unfortunatly, I didn't bring my camera to record the fabulous evening, however was able to get a few pictures from Angelique (girlfriend of Andronik), one of the Frat House roomates. It was a true French meal with a slightly Canadian twist.

Andronik, Tommi, Mikka, and myself pose for a picture with champagne flutes in hand, celebrating our arrival to the Asnieres Hockey Club

Corrine, our hostess, gets the dessert ready for us.

Mr. Robert Guimond, a Canadian in Paris, and the man responsible for getting me over here.

Me, Mr. Christophe Cuzin, and Andronik. Christophe is the heart and soul of Asnieres Hockey Club as he works tirelessly to keep it going. He even fills our water bottles for us.

Daily Life Pictures

Not everything is Eiffel Towers and strolls down the Champs d'Elysses. There are aspects of daily life that need to be shown.

The apartment building which holds the "Frat House" suite.

The "Taxiphone" I use to call home to Canada.

The entance to "Carrefours", the French version of the Real Canadian Superstore.


The view from my bedroom window. The French have these nice little parks in every neighbourhood. They are well kept and very safe.

Daily Routine

So I was asked what my daily routine is now that I'm in France playing hockey. I can tell you one thing, my mornings no longer start with a 5:15 am wake-up call!!! As much as I loved getting up that early to head to the gym for Boot Camp, then a full day at the office, I'm easing into a little bit of a different routine.

I'm up at 8:00 am every morning as I need to eat. Usually a big breakfast of eggs, cereal, orange juice, and some fruit. After breakfast, I might run out to grocery store or bakery if I need anything. I eat something light around 10:30 am, usually a granola bar and some yogurt or fruit and baguette and also prepare a shake for later as well as an electrolyte filled sports drink (these are for during and after the morning workout).

At 11:00 am I head to the rink (about a 10 minute walk) to get ready for the morning workout. We usually put in about an hour and fifteen minutes of off-ice strength and conditioning work. After the workout, it's time for that previously mentioned protein shake before we head back to the apartment.

Lunch is eaten as soon as I get home and usually consists of a sandwich (made from fresh baguette of course), some fruit, and whatever else I feel like.

Typically I need to take a nap at some point in the day to get ready for the evening practice, so sometimes, this is a great time take it. An hour in the sheets does wonders for the athletic body. Around 3:00 pm, I'll walk to the grocery store or go somewhere in Asnieres just to get out and stretch my legs. At 4:00 pm I call Mindy and chat with her for 10 or 15 minutes (the highlight of my day!!!).

Dinner is around 5:00 pm as I need to eat well in advance of practice. Usually some pasta or rice with chicken and salad. After dinner, I usually read or watch a movie or nap if I need it. Nothing exciting about it.

Practice is at 8:15 pm, so I usually head to the rink around 7:15 to hang out with the guys, tape my stick, and get dressed for practice. As I mentioned, practice is at 8:15 and goes for an hour and a half. We skate, and skate, and skate some more.

Tip of the day for minor hockey coaches: I'm playing division 2 pro hockey in France and we do nothing but work on the fundamentals. Skating, shooting, passing, and stickhandling. We haven't even touched systems. It's all about the fundamentals (Stevey - I have some great new drills for you ;-) )

After practice, another protein shake is consumed in the dressing room before we head home. We usually make it home by 10:30 at which point another meal is consumed. This one is pretty random, but cereal, sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit have all found themselves on the menu. After eating, I need to settle myself down so I can eventually go to sleep. An hour or two of reading or a movie usually does the trick. Lights out about 12:30.

And that's my day...hope yours was as fun-filled as mine.

Saint

The Paris Triangle

So this afternoon, after the morning workout, I needed to go into Paris central to run a few errands and decided to check out the Paris Triangle. The Paris Triangle is comprised of the three most visited landmarks in Paris by tourists. The Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum. So I walked around and took a couple of pictures of me in front of the landmarks. I'm sure I will be returning with Mindy in a few weeks. It will be great to see Paris like a real tourist with her.

David in front of the big tower.

David in front of the big arc
David in front of the big museum.David in front of a pretty famous street.
I'm guessing that this shot would be the Paris version of the Times Square photo from New York. It would probably also look way cooler at night and not taken at arms length.

Every day, twice a day

So I don't have any pictures for this update, although I might try and take some over the next couple of days. This week however has been all about training camp. We are currently in the middle of doing a week of two a day workouts before our first exhibition game this weekend against Rouan.

As for the two a days, the first workout is at 11:30 and typically is done by 1:00. It's an off-ice workout where we lift weights, run sprints, do some light jogging, lots of core strength, and if the coach is feeling generous and we have worked hard, a little soccer at the end. Since the weather has been beautiful this week, we have been working outdoors which has been pleasant.

The second workout is on the ice where we practice from 8:15 to 9:45. In case I haven't mentioned it, our coach is Russian and subscribes to the theory that lots of skating should be done in practice. And do we ever skate. The team looks like it will be hard working bunch, maybe a little bit short on talent, but hardworking. Everyone wants to compete and do well, which is what you want.

Anyway, it's almost time to head to the rink. Time for another workout!

French Bread

If there is one thing that I can say the French do much much better then Canada, it's baking bread and other delightful pastries. I can tell you this much, Tim Horton's donuts are no match to a good pain au chocolate.

During the past week I have felt obliged to check out the local bakeries in Asnieres to find out who might be my regular baker for the year. Since I am currently in pre-season camp for the team, I see no reason why my baker's should not be in camp (competing for the chance to feed me) as well.

As much as I love pain au chocolate, a fresh baguette is also quite the treat. It's a rare treat in Canada, but in France, if you see a lineup outside a bakery, it means that there is no bread left and fresh stuff is in the oven. Such was the scene I came accross today, so what did I do, I stood in line with the French and a fresh bagutte was my treat.

Fresh baguette and an apple. A perfect afternoon snack!

David & Mindy Video

As I'm hoping to be adding videos to the blog this year, I created a little something for my wonderful wife Mindy. Enjoy!

First Day. Ahhh...Paris

So anyone who has moved from one continent to another can totally relate to the culture shock and adjustments that have to be made. Different food, jet-lag, and different technology all play a part in the process.

I'm currently having a little difficulty accessing my hotmail account here, so for anyone who has sent me a message, please be patient while I figure out this little issue.

Moving on to more interesting topics, my new Finnish friends decided that to help me get accustomed to France, we were to embarque last night on an expedition to the tourist zone of Paris (Eiffel Tower, Champs d'Elysses, etc) with the intent of getting some dinner. In the end, it was quite the adventure.

The team provides a car to the imports on the team that looks exactly like the car from Back to Future and sounds like a lawnmower. Driving in France is a alot different then in Canada and I was glad to let Mika do the driving. Lanes are either simply a suggestion or non existent and we only just escaped certain death on the traffic circle at the Arc de Triomphe. After finding a parking spot where we hoped we would not get ticketted, we went out for a great french meal at...The Great Canadian Pub. A Moosehead beer with a cheeseburger, salad and fresh cut fries was a great introduction to French cusine.

The team car. It's almost like a Ferrari...almost

Filling the car with gas was a team effort.

Dinner at the Great Canadian Pub.

Arrival in Asnieres!!!

Finally!!! After many months of planning, I have touched down in France. For those of you who have never travelled to Europe from Edmonton, it can be quite a trek. A nice little four hour plane ride from Edmonton to Toronto, followed by sitting in a plane on the runway in Toronto while Air Canada figures out if we have the right cargo on board, a nice little seven hour cruise accross the Atlantic....and I have arrived.

So needless to say, I'm a little jet lagged. It's almost six at night and my body thinks its 10:00 am. Should be a fun night (think I'll sleep much???).

Moved into the team accomadations where I will be living at least for the first month of the season until my beautiful wife joins me in on the eastern side of the little pond. Met a couple of my new teammates as well (The Fins - Tommi and Mikka). Mikka's girlfriend (Annika) is also here with us. We broke bread together and Annika volunteered to do the dishes for the boys. The Frat House has been established!!!

More to come later.

Saint

The sum of my possesions for the next 10 months.

My HUGE room in the team digs.