Hello to everyone,

Sorry we missed updating you yesterday but we had a busy day so this log will include events from Tuesday and Wednesday. The boys practice at 7:45 AM yesterday morning. The Trencin ice rink has skylights and the boys practice in natural sunlight. After practice some of the adults went to Trencin Teplice spa which is about 10 kilometers outside city of Trencin.

The adults were treated to a 30 minute bath in sulfur water and a message after out 20 minute heat wrap. They tell you not to shower after the spa in order for the sulfur to really work. The adult who went carried a "special" aroma with the for the rest of the day. After our spa and message we enjoyed the chance to mix with the locals and those that were vacationing at the Spa Town. Lindsey and Bob left the Spa town and went directly to the rink for our game versus Trencin Midget Major team for upcoming season. It was a good game which we ended Chesterfield winning 2-0. Our first goal came in the second period on a power play. Pete Bensing scored the goal with an assist from Danny Kearns. Our second goal came in the third period on a goal from John Lucas assisted by Cam Chinnery. At one point in the game Jake Kanipe thought he had been wrongly penalized for high sticking and used a rather exaggerated pretend fall to get his point across to the referee (we all had to laugh)--I must admit that all of us have used some rather creative sign language to get a point across during this trip.

Today we visited the mayor or should I say one of his assistants since the mayor was on official business. The boys were all there dressed nicely and used their best manners. After the meeting with the mayor we toured the Trecin castle---we had an option for a short 30 min tour or a longer 90 min version and believe it or not the majority choose the longer tour. The weather was much cooler today so the climb up the approximately 500 steps did not seem so bad.
Our final game was at 3pm today against the team we played the first night. The boys came out strong and played hard considering how tired they are (I think the billet kids are just as tired as our kids). At the end of the first period the score was 2-1 in our favor. Our first goal was scored by Cam Chinnery and I am sorry to say that I do not know who got the assist and the second goal was from AJ Koeller assisted by John Lucas. In the second period the Slovakian team scored 1 goal and the game was tie 2-2 at the end of the period. I think the Slovakian team got an earful between the second and third period and they came out strong scoring 3 goals to our one goal making the final score 5-3 favoring Slovakia. Our final goal was scored by Sean O'Rourke and assisted by Dan Kearns. At this point I would also like to interject that our new defensemen Joe Moritz, Eric Williams and Luke Thompson have played remarkably well throughout all the games. Joe told me that his billet family speaks very little English and they have a daughter and his billet player and he has enjoyed his stay with them.

After the final game we enjoyed a pig roast which was hosted by the Slovakian team. Alan Dye took many pictures of all the kids and we have made promises to the Billet families that we would send pictures on to them.
This has been an extraordinarily hospitable group of people. I have tried to get stories from all of the kids, some talk more than others but I am sure they will have a lot to tell you when they get home. We are off to Vienna tomorrow (maybe I will be able to get some stories on our 2 hr bus ride tomorrow)and then home. The time has flown by especially with the cooler weather and the boys have enjoyed their stay but-----there are rumblings of McDonalds being heard.

Janice and Bob Kearns

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Today saw a break in the heat wave that has griped Trencin for the better part of two weeks with temperatures in the Mid 80's. The day began with a two joint practice session with the Trencin Midget Major Team. The sessions were held in the Dukla/Trencin Sports Stadium which was is the 4500 seat home of the Trencin hockey organization. The Trencin Coach ran the first session which with 10 players from each team participating. Lindsay Middlebrook ran the second session with ten players from each team. The amazing thing about the practices was that both coaches organized their practices independently and ran similar drills. The players enjoyed the opportunity the practice with the friends that they made on the Trencin team and the sessions were up-tempo and productive.

In this evening's game, Trencin put their best players on the ice. The opponent was the Trencin Junior Hockey Club. This team has won the Slovakian Junior League the last three year and sports two players who are on the Slovakian Olympic team. They were by far the best team that Chesterfield has faced this season. Tonight's score was 10-2 for Trencin. Our goals were scored tonight by Mitch Galligan (Unassisted) and by Tyler Jones from Justin Dye. Our goaltenders were outstanding and our players played hard particularly in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Tomorrow the player have a 7:45 AM practice and a 2:00 PM versus the Trencin Midget Major team. On Wednesday we will meet with the Mayor of Trencin and play our final game.

Couple of notes of interest today. Pete Bensing ate 5 Toast sandwiches (Grilled Ham and Cheese) prior today's practice. A new Trencin hockey rink record. During this evening's game our players started making the conversion to mineral water on the bench drinking four two liter bottles. The Trencin Junior team skated on the ice this evening in their Red Game Jerseys and we quickly adapted and played in our white practice jersey's with no numbers on the back. In the Sunday evening game versus Team Gaborik, the referee was Pavel Demitra's cousin who looks just like him except 40 pounds heavier. The parents on the trip have found some wonderful places to eat in Trencin and have spent time a lot of time taking in the local sites.

See you tomorrow.

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Hello from Slovakia,

Today we were treated royally--our trip to the castle in Bojnice was tremendous. It is really the first time the kids have gotten together as a group to do something besides hockey. Alan got some great pictures at the castle and Peter Filip Sr got some great pictures at the pool including the boys entertaining some of the local females!! The boys napped on the way to the castle and the way home since it appears that several (many) of them were out with billets fairly late the night before.
Tonight's game was with the Marion Gaborik academy team and from the onset it was a more physical game. They scored first on the first shift of the game but we quickly tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Jake Kanipe, assisted by AJ Koeller. We scored 2 more power play goals one by Cam Chinnery, assisted by Sean O'Rourke, and the other by Ryan Atkinson assisted by AJ Koeller. So at the end of the first period it was 3-1. The Zamboni apparently inhaled a puck, broke a hose and deposited antifreeze on the ice leaving a rather large hole delaying the game approx 45 mins. The second period finally got under way and immediately Ryan Atkinson scored his second goal assisted by AJ Koeller who also netted the fifth goal on a pass from Justin Dye. About mid way through the period Zach Brancato was awarded a penalty shot. He skated toward the net full speed and lost the puck when it hit the makeshift hole repair in the ice. Our final goal came from Danny Kearns on a pass from Peter Bensing at the end of the second period. They decided not to clean the ice again. As you can imagine with a score of 6-2 things really got chippy in the third period. The Gaborik team had a 6'5" player who planted himself in front of the our net on every power play. Ryan O'Connell made it his personal mission to clear this guy out from the net. The battled in front of the net until coincidental penalties were called, all the billet kids applauded O'C's efforts. The Gaborik team scored one goal in the third period and the game ended 6-3.

Tomorrow there will be a joint practice with 10 players from each team practicing together in two sessions. Tommorrow night's game promises to be the most difficult in our trip. We will be facing a team that is made up of half Trencin Junior players and half from the Midget Major team.

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Hello from Slovakia,

Temperatures are still hot but perhaps a little cooler today. The boys are becoming more accustomed to living without air conditioning, however water with gas (carbonated mineral water) is still not what they want on the bench (I depleted the supply of gasless water at the bar upstairs from the rink much to the dismay of the cashier). They practiced this morning and looked better than yesterday, it is amazing what a little sleep does for the spirit. Due to the heat the soccer game was cancelled and the boys spent the after noon with their families.
Tonight's game was competitive with our boys ending up 2 goals behind Trencin Midget Major Team(4-2). We had the first 2 shots on net but Trencin scored first in the first period, John Lucas scored for us making it a tie game. At the end of the first period they had scored again making it a 2-1 game. At the beginning of the second period they scored their third goal making it a 3-1 game. With 5 minutes left in the second period, Danny Kearns received a great pass from Sean O'Rourke and scored making it 3-2. We had several opportunities in the third, Ryan O'Connell hit the post on a great shot, but we were unable to put the puck in the net. The Slovaks put in one more making it 4-2 at the end. Peter Filip played the first 2 periods and Alec Schnitzler played the third, both goalies were terrific. The boys all played hard and I am happy to report were very respectful, to the Slovakian team. So far they have not given the Slovaks any reason to resurrect the cold war :) On a personal note, the billet families are very concerned that the boys are not eating enough, when you talk to the boys, they state they are constantly eating and are getting more than enough to eat. Tim Dolan reports that they are eating one breakfast, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners plus desert and they are trying to feed them in between as well. Tim also reports that he has never walked so much in his life. Several of the boys went to the Trencin music festival and reported it to be an awesome experience. The boys are quickly beginning to understand how the currency works, so when Lindsey handed Cam Chinnery 20 SK to buy him a coke, Cam gently told him "Coach this is only about 70 cents and it wont buy you much coke". A similar episode occurred between Mike Thompson and Luke ----Mike handed him a 50 SK bill and Luke let him know that would not get him far. One more story of the billet family's kindness shown to our boys; Ryan Atkinson and Tyler Jones are staying with a family of 7. The kids range in age from 9 mos to 19 years old---the fourteen year old is sleeping in a tent in the backyard. One of the boys gave one of the younger kids an American dollar and the boy was around the rink showing it to everyone. The boys have been well cared for and are behaving very well---hopefully I can report the same after the fifth game. They all miss home but I think they are enjoying the trip and experience. Good Night, talk to you all tomorrow. Janice

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Hello everyone,

Today has been another hot day with a high of 104 breaking all previous records----lucky us. The boys had their first practice and welcomed the cool rink since most of the houses they are staying at do not have any air conditioning with the exception of Thompson and Williams who not only have air conditioning but are enjoying an in-ground pool. Who would have believed the rookies would have lucked out. The boys practiced fairly well, they were doing their best to impress the other team and make Lindsey proud.
The ice is very soft making passing difficult but in 100 degree heat what can you expect. Another complaint on the bench was that the water that they had to drink was carbonated--that is common here. I quickly went to the bar and bought 2 cases of water (no gas) for the bench and instructed everyone to take the bottle with them and refill it tomorrow.
After practice I actively tried to get information about their experiences with their families---I was told "What happens in Trencin, stays in Trencin", so after a little more prodding I did find out some interesting things that they encountered----1) The windows here are not screened which allows a lot of bugs into the houses, as a matter of fact Allen Dye was having problems keeping a bird out of his room. 2)Zach Brancato's family packed him a lunch for after practice with enough food for 10 kids--and they all helped him eat it 3) Ryan O'Connell's family were surprised when he only had 2 sausages for dinner (Their son ate seven). 4)Several of the boys announced that corn was a popular topping on pizza. 5)Danny Kearns reports that he swam in green pool water and feels he is almost fluent in Slovakian.
6) Many of the boys report learning words that were not listed on our help card and should not be repeated in mixed company. Finally we all wished Tyler Jones a happy 17th birthday.
That is my report for the day. I believe all the boys are experiencing this culture in different ways but it has been an eye opener for all.

Tomorrow we practice in the morning, Play Basketball and Soccer against the Trencin team and play our first game at 7:00 PM tomorrow night.

Stay cool and enjoy your AC
Janice

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Hello to all,
WE HAVE ARRIVED :)
We arrived to record breaking 102 degree temperatures in Vienna this morning, so much for the cooler weather we were hoping for. The flight was long (nine and half hours). The plane was not crowded so we were able to spread out. The boys made themselves at home and it was rather amusing to see them all donning their orange blackout blinders wearing them on top of their heads etc. We only encountered one problem, British airways lost Justin's hockey bag but they promised to deliver it today. Peter Filip Sr.

met us at the airport in Vienna. We took a 2 and a half hour ride to Trencin. We meet our billet families at the rink and had a group meal. Most of the Trencin players spoke English and all the boys seemed to get along very well. After lunch/dinner the boys presented the billet families their gifts then left with their billet families for the night. We are seven hours ahead of St. Louis

Tomorrow we have a practice at 2:15. After that the players will attend the music festival.

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OUR LAST PRACTICE WAS LAST NIGHT AND EVERYONE WAS FLYING HIGH, GREAT PRACTICE. THE KIDS ARE GETTING VERY EXCITED AND MOST OF THE LAST MINUTE DETAILS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. A LOT OF THE BOYS HAVE BEEN E MAILING THEIR BILLET FAMILIES AND THE RELATIONSHIPS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO BLOSSOM. THE GUYS ARE DECKED OUT WITH SOME GREAT LOOKING UNIFORMS AND OTHER APPAREL ALONG WITH SOME GOODIES FOR THERE BILLET FAMILIES. THE BOYS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A JOURNAL, SO HOPEFULLY THEY WILL TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE DOWN THEIR THOUGHTS AS THIS WILL BE AVERY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THEM. THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK AT THIS TIME, TO BARB BENSING AND SANDY DYE A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME AND ORGANIZING, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS FINALLY HERE! TO JOHN MACARTHUR OF JOHNNY MAC'S FOR MAKING SURE THAT THESE BOYS LOOK GOOD WHILE REPRESENTING ST LOUIS AND THE USA. TO THE CHESTERFIELD BOARD FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN TAKING ON WHAT WE HOPE WILL BECOME A LONG TIME TRADITION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO MY WIFE DOTTYE FOR MAKING ME LOOK GOOD, HER WISDOM AND ADVISE IS ALWAYS RIGHT ON.

WE LEAVE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND WE WE REPORT BACK DAILY, THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST AND TO ALL THE BOYS, LETS GET READY TO PLAY SOME HOCKEY.

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WELL, OUR FIRST PRACTICE AS TEAM USA/CHESTERFIELD WAS THIS PAST TUESDAY AND IT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED. AFTER BEING TOGETHER FOR SEVEN MONTHS AND GETTING EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM, IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THESE GUYS HAD EVER SKATED TOGETHER. THERE WAS NO FLOW, THE PACE WAS SLOW, AND THE INTENSITY LEVEL WAS POOR. THIS FROM A TEAM OF GUYS THAT WERE AS CLOSE AS ANY TEAM THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF, SO SOMETHING WAS OUT OF WHACK. AT THE END OF PRACTICE, WE HAD A SHORT TALK, REMINDING THEM THAT THIS TRIP WAS NOT A SPRING VACATION, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME TO EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT CULTURE AND HOCKEY EXPERIENCE. I THINK THE BOYS WERE A LITTLE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO DURING THEIR SPARE TIME IN TRENCIN, FORGETTING THAT THIS TRIP WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IF IT WERE NOT FOR THEIR HOCKEY ABILITIES.
AFTER GIVING THEM A LITTLE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT I WAS HOPING FOR, AND VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY WOULD COME BACK LAST NIGHT WITH A MUCH BETTER PERFORMANCE

NOW THIS IS THE TEAM THAT I HAVE COME TO ADMIRE SO MUCH. TONIGHT'S PRACTICE WAS GREAT, THE GUYS WERE INTENSE, THE TEMPO WAS HIGH, AND THE GUYS WERE FLYING. BRING ON THE SLOVAKS!!!. THE BILLET ASSIGNMENTS WERE GIVEN OUT AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE GUYS THAT THE PEOPLE IN TRENCIN DON'T GENERALLY LIVE IN HOMES AS LARGE AS OURS AND THAT THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE THE ROOM TO TAKE IN 2 BOYS PER FAMILY MOST OF THE BOYS WILL BE STAYING INDIVIDUALLY WITH A BILLET FAMILY, BUT I BELIEVE EACH FAMILY HAS A BOY THAT PLAYS ON THE TRENCIN HOCKEY TEAM. TRENCIN IS A TOWN OF ABOUT 50,000 PEOPLE SO MOST OF THE HOUSES ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER SO I AM SURE THE BOYS WILL BE HANGING OUT WITH EACH OTHER MOST OF THE TIME.

THE ITINERARY IS UP AND THE BOYS WILL BE BUSY, BUT ALSO HAVE ENOUGH FREE TIME TO ENJOY THE CITY.
WE ARRIVE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA ON THE MORNING OF THE 19TH AND WE WILL BE MET WITH A BUS THAT WILL TAKE US ON A 2 HOUR TRIP TO TRENCIN,SLOVAKIA. WE WILL UNLOAD OUR HOCKEY GEAR AT THE RINK, THEN MEET UP WITH THE BILLET FAMILIES AND THEN WE ARE PUTTING ON A DINNER FOR ALL THE FAMILIES AS A THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE BOYS FOR THE NEXT 9 DAYS.

ON FRIDAY THE 20TH WE START RIGHT UP WITH A GAME AGAINST MARION GABORIK'S TRENCIN TEAM (HE PLAYS FOR THE MINNESOTA WILD BUT IS FROM TRENCIN) WE ARE TRYING TO GET IN A PRE SKATE BEFORE THE GAME BUT NOT SURE IF IT WILL HAPPEN. THE REST OF THE DAY WILL BE OPEN AS THEIR IS A HUGE MUSIC FESTIVAL RUNNING FOR 3 DAYS THAT ENGULFS THE ENTIRE CITY, SO I AM SURE THE BOYS WILL ENJOY THIS.

SATURDAY 21ST WE WILL PRACTICE WITH THE TRENCIN TEAM, SHARING THE ICE AND COACHING STRATEGIES. I AM PERSONALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THEY OPERATE AT PRACTICE. PRACTICE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY HALF THE TEAM PLAYING IN A SOCCER GAME AND THE OTHER HALF PLAYING IN A BASKETBALL GAME. I AM NOT SURE HOW WE WILL FARE AGAINST THEM IN HOCKEY , BUT I DON'T LIKE OUR CHANCES IN THE SOCCER GAME AND PROBABLY THE BASKETBALL GAME TOO, EVEN THOUGH OUR GUYS ARE ALREADY STARTING TO TALK A GOOD GAME.
THAT EVENING WE WILL FINISH UP WITH A GAME AGAINST THE TRENCIN JUNIOR TEAM.

SUNDAY 22ND WE ARE GOING ON A SHORT TRIP TO VISIT THE BOJNICE CASTLE AND ZOO. KIND OF AN ODD COMBINATION BUT WHEN IN TRENCIN DO AS THE TRENCINS DO. I WONDER IF THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANIMALS IN SLOVAKIA. THAT EVENING WE WILL PLAY A GAME VS TEAM GABORIK.

MONDAY 23RD WE WILL PRACTICE IN THE MORNING, SPEND SOME TIME IN THE WEIGHT ROOM AFTER PRACTICE AND THEN COME BACK THAT EVENING WITH A GAME AGAINST THE SLOVAKIAN JUNIOR TEAM.

TUESDAY 24TH WE START UP WITH AN EARLY MORNING PRACTICE, THE PARENTS AND COACHES ARE BEING TREATED TO A THERAPEUTIC SPA JUST OUTSIDE OF TOWN, SIMILAR TO THE HOT SPRINGS IN ARKANSAS, I THINK. THE BOYS HAVE THE AFTERNOON OFF TO CHECK OUT THE DOWNTOWN AREA, AND THEN WE WILL MEET UP FOR A GAME THAT NIGHT AGAINST THE TRENCIN MIDGET AAA TEAM

WEDNESDAY 25TH WE HAVE A 10 AM MEETING WITH THE MAYOR OF TRENCIN WHO WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME US TO HIS CITY. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF THE TRENCIN CASTLE WHICH STANDS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING THE TOWN. LATE AFTERNOON WE WILL HAVE A GAME AGAINST A COMBINATION OF THEIR MIDGET AND JUNIOR PLAYERS.
AFTER THE GAME THERE IS A PARTY FOR EVERYONE WRAPPING UP THE WEEKS ACTIVITIES BEFORE WE HEAD BACK TO VIENNA AUSTRIA TO SPEND SOME TIME SIGHTSEEING.

THURSDAY 26TH WE BUS TO VIENNA IN THE EARLY MORNING ARRIVING IN VIENNA AROUND 11AM, CHECKING INTO THE HOTEL, AND THEN ON TO A DAY OF SIGHTSEEING. FINISH THE EVENING OFF WITH A NICE DINNER WE LEAVE EARLY THE NEST MORNING FOR THE AIRPORT AND OUR TRIP HOME TO ST LOUIS ARRIVING THAT EVENING.

WELL, THANKS FOR FOLLOWING OUR ADVENTURE AND WE WILL KEEP IT UPDATED AS WE CONTINUE ON OUR SLOVAKIAN HOCKEY TOUR. THANK YOU, COACH MIDDLEBROOK

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Hello, my name is Lindsay Middlebrook and I am the Director/Coach of the Central States Midget Program in Chesterfield. Our team had a very successful year that just fell short of our goal of going to the National Tournament. This past year I found a group of young athletes who not only were excellent hockey players, but more importantly, a group of quality young men who were dedicated, committed and very respectful who have been raised in home with good family values as shown by the way they carry themselves. When the year ended, there was definitely a piece to the puzzle missing and we were give the chance of a lifetime.

The team will be traveling overseas to Trencin, Slovakia to play against Midget AAA and Junior teams from July 18 - 28. We will play 5-6 games during our stay against local teams as well as teams from other parts of Slovakia. This opportunity to be billeted with Slovakian families, to experience their way of life and to exchange hockey practices and games with these people will truly be a fantastic experience.

I hope you will find this entertaining and fun as you travel along with me and the boys because this may well become a yearly trip for the Chesterfield Midget CSDHL team if everything goes as planned. Thank you for your time and to the boys...you better start getting back into shape because you know that they will be ready for us!

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