Two Irish Hockey Teams take to the ice in Boston and Toronto over St. Patrick’s Day week.
The Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA) are proud to announce that the IIHA U12 National Development Team, the Saints, and senior team, the Celtic Clovers, will be representing Irish ice hockey during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This will be the first time any Irish youth hockey team has ever skated in America and Canada at this level. This will also be the first adult recreational team to ever take to the ice in America.
The IIHA Saints U12 team flies out tomorrow morning, 9/3/16, for an eleven day tour of New England, U.S.A. and Toronto, Canada. The team will arrive first in Boston, Massachusetts. The team has seven games lined up over five days playing teams from South Boston, Dorchester, Boch Blazers, Salem, New Hampshire, and New Bedford. The team will also take part in a training session at the Boston Bruins training facility directly after the Bruins. There will also be an honorary team reception at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday.
On Monday, 14/3/16, the IIHA Saints will then fly to Toronto, Canada. Over five days they will play four games, two each, against West Mall and Humber Valley. The team has arranged for an hour long off ice training session with two highly qualified hockey trainers. The focal point of this trip will be on 17/3/16, St. Patrick’s Day. The team will have the opportunity to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs morning practice, take a tour of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the team will take to the ice in between periods of the Maple Leafs/ Florida Panthers St. Patrick’s Day game. This will be the first time ever an Irish team has skated at a National Hockey League (NHL) game. The team will then head home on the 19/3/16.
The Celtic Clovers Senior recreational team will be heading up to Boston on 15/3/16 to represent Irish hockey at the prestigious South Boston St. Patrick’s Day tournament. The Clovers will look to take to the ice for a few warm-up training sessions before their first game on the Friday. That will give them time to take in the Paddy’s Day celebrations on Thursday. The Clovers will use this trip as ambassadors to the game here in Ireland. They will also have the chance to show the mettle on the ice against teams from America and Canada over the weekend.
Here is to both teams wishing them great trips and much success!