‘Experience of a lifetime’: Exhibition trip in Germany memorable for men’s hockey

Just one week into training camp, the Gee-Gees men's hockey team was boarding a bus on-route to their first preseason game of the 2019-20 season. Rather than a quick trip down the highway like usual, this bus ride was the first leg of a much longer journey.

From August 26 to September 2, the team travelled overseas to Germany for three games against professional hockey teams. Beyond the ice, the trip marked an opportunity for the team to see the sights, come together and build chemistry ahead of the regular season.

In their own words, members of the team bring you along for the ride by reminiscing standout moments of the trip.

Yvan Mongo (YM), second-year forward: The best thing was the architecture, everything over there is absolutely beautiful, it's amazing. Nothing compares to what I have seen before.

Dominic Cormier (DC), first-year defenceman: I think it was honestly a big stepping stone for our whole team, having all the guys together … and obviously we got to see Germany, it was great to witness that while playing hockey over there.

Brendan Jacome (BJ), fourth-year forward: The atmosphere is absolutely incredible. The games were nothing like we've ever experienced before. The crowds were extremely rambunctious, crazy, it felt like we were at a soccer game in a smaller venue.

Following an eight-hour plane ride and a five-hour bus ride to their initial destination of Dresden, Germany, the team had their first chance to hit the ice and get one more practice in before their game against Deggendorfer SC, a team in the third-division of professional hockey in Germany. The following day marked their first full day overseas, with the team exploring the city in the afternoon.

BJ: It's an old city, lots of history there. All the boys rented scooters, we were scooting around all over the city, that helped speed up our travels. Had some German food, lots of schnitzel and sausage. The style of food is a little different than our but not completely different, lots of bread and meats.

YM: We ate a decent amount of schnitzel, which is like a fried chicken, really really good. Breakfast was anything you'd eat here. They have a lot of vegetables at breakfast, which was different.

The team spent an afternoon in Dresdner exploring the city on scooters.

In their first game overseas, the team quickly learned the style of play in different in Europe.

Patrick Grandmaître (PG), head coach: I warned our players about this, they have a penalty that they call over there, if you translate from German to English, it's an incorrect body check. You'll get that if you hit someone really hard, even though in North America we would say it's a clean hit and he saw him coming, if the guy falls, the referees call it for a penalty. It was hard for our players to adjust, especially our more physical players.

YM: We're used to playing a tougher game, so we got a lot of penalties. I got to practice my penalty killing a lot, I'll be ready when the season starts [laughs].

Despite all the infractions against the Gee-Gees, the team was able to prevail by a score of 3-1. Following the game, the team received roaring applause and a standing ovation — the type of reception the team wouldn't usually receive on the road in North America.

DC: The crowds were unbelievable, always cheering, it was great to be a part of that.

BJ:  I'll remember that first game the most, that was our first taste, we won, the crowd gave us a standing ovation after we won. That was pretty special. 

PG: I always remember how the German fans appreciated a hardworking and honest team. It seemed they appreciated our style of play, the physical element that we brought that you don't usually see in European hockey. And I think they really appreciated us coming across the Atlantic to play them. In that small town, it was an event. So I think we felt that appreciation in the way they supported our team and the way they thanked our team at the end of the game.

Domenic Graham led a cheer with Deggendorfer SC following a 3-1 victory for the Gee-Gees

The intensity ramped up in the following two games, with the Gee-Gees opponents coming from the DEL2, the second division of professional hockey in Germany. Against Dresdner Eislöwen, the team was down by four goals late in the game, but ran out of time for a comeback in a 5-3 loss.

YM: That game was our toughest game, mentally we weren't as sharp as we usually are and it showed. At points we were there and then as soon as they scored their first two goals, it was like we let up a bit. We pushed back well late in the game, it showed we're relentless, and we never stop.

DC: Great rink there. You could tell they were ready to play. Not the fastest, but all the passes were tape-to-tape. Even though we were down a bit the guys didn't quit, it's all building blocks towards the regular season.

Warm weather in Germany resulted in a high volume of fog at the rinks throughout their games.

The final game was particularly special for Grandmaître. He spent part of the 2007-08 season and the 2008-09 season with Eispiraten Crimmitschau during his four-year professional hockey career in Germany.

PG: Emotionally, it was excitement. It was so cool to be back. I did see quite a few people that were there when I was there. The most fun encounter was with a former teammate of mine, he was the team captain. They retired his jersey, he's in charge of their junior programs and involved as a politician in the city. The equipment manager, he's a legend over there, been at it for 30 years. And I had a really good relationship with him, it was cool to take a picture with him on the ice.

YM: That was our best game collectively, from puck drop to final whistle. It's tough, we really wanted that game for Pat. Of course, we weren't happy with the result, but the experience itself was a lot of fun. Overall it was amazing.

With the majority of the team in their fourth season and nearing graduation, the trip offered the chance to open doors, and play in front of European scouts looking to add future talent.

PG: Other OUA teams were in Europe as well. Everyone is doing well, either winning games or losing by a goal. It's showing how good our level is and it will open doors for sure. It broken down a view on our players that, 'oh they're not pros.' Sometimes these teams like to take players from the East Coast or the AHL or from other professional leagues instead of picking our guys right from graduation. We showed them our guys can play at that level, they're younger than some of the pros, so I definitely think we proved a point and showcased our calibre of play while we were there.

BJ: I always thought I wanted to go to Europe after and that really solidified it, it's a completely different culture, different atmosphere in the hockey sense as well. It would be a lot of fun to experience that every day.

A significant portion of the trip was made possible by supporters of the men's hockey program, such as alumni, friends, and family.

YM: It's truly heart-warming, I can't thank them enough. I know without them it wouldn't be possible. To live those kinds of experiences through them – I'm just really thankful for their contribution. And it makes me proud to represent the Gee-Gees and get these opportunities. Definitely when it's my turn to give back I'll be doing it, if others can have the experiences like I did, you can't ask for much more than that.

DC: I think it's great, we have great alumni here at Ottawa. It's great to see their giving back, giving us the opportunity to fulfill our dreams. It's all thanks to them this trip was possible.

BJ: It's amazing, we can't thank them enough. It was the experience of a lifetime. I hope one day I have the opportunity to give back as well so the next generation of Gee-Gees players can do the same because I know it's something I'll never forget.

Gee-Gees vs. Deggendorfer SC. August 29, 2019.

Gee-Gees vs. Dresdner Eislöwen. August 30, 2019.

Gee-Gees vs. Eispiraten Crimmitschau. September 1, 2019.