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Swedish Player Visits Father’s Former Stomping Grounds
“It definitely is the greatest hockey experience I will ever have in my life,” said James Robertson. “It was very nice to be able to show Noah our way of life and also to have the chance to spend time with his mother Jessica. Hockey may have brought us all together but the friendships and memories that were made will last forever. I would like to thank Rob Martin from Seaway Valley and Lars-Ove-Haraldsson from Sweden and the entire Seaway Valley Rapids Association for all their support during this incredible experience.”
By Todd Anderson
F
or Noah Andersson, his Swedishbased Kungälv hockey team’s visit to Cornwall in March was extra special. The 10th annual cultural exchange with the Seaway Valley Bantam AA Rapids allowed him to visit Cornwall, where his father Nicklas once skated as a professional hockey player with the Cornwall Aces. “It’s great to be able to see the arena and city he played in,” said Noah. “I was here four years ago when my brother did the same cultural exchange. I love Canada and the experience of seeing it.”
Andersson says he will look back fondly at his time in Cornwall and area. “I’ve travelled quite a bit with my family but this is the best trip I’ve ever been on. I got to visit the Canham Farm in Avonmore and was very impressed at the size of the farm. I also visited the Sand Road Sugar Camp and was able to see how maple syrup is made and got to taste maple candy. We also got to go to Pro Hockey Life which was awesome and then to a Sens game.”
Andersson was billeted with the Rapids’ Assistant Captain Graham Robertson during the trip. He said he was welcomed with open arms. “It’s a very good family, it feels like home. They are really fun to be with.” As part of the exciting trip, the Sweden players and coaches were able to witness the Rapids capture a couple of victories in the OEMHL AA Minor Bantam playoff championship final series. On March 29, the Rapids stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to claim the title. As the Rapids participated in the most exciting game of their season, the jerseys of their Swedish friends hung on the glass behind their bench. The Rapids players also sported Swedish-themed stick tape for the game. The Swedes, who were visiting Toronto at the time of the decisive game, kept tabs on the results via Face Time on their phones. The Rapids say having their new friends cheering them on helped spark them to victory over Kanata, four-time defending champions and the number-one ranked team in Ontario. While the two teams practised together and played against each other during the visit, there was so much more shared other than hockey. “I have made a friend for life,” said
See team photo on page 30. Sweden’s Noah Andersson, left, enjoyed his visit to Cornwall area with billet Graham Robertson, an assistant captain with the Seaway Valley Rapids AA Minor Bantam team. Andersson’s father Nicklas is a former Photo submitted: James Robertson Cornwall Aces player.
Maxville’s Graham Robertson. “We though because it was French.” connected right away. (Noah) has a Graham Robertson, also 13, says great sense of humour and he’s got in hockey he just “wants to be the sick hands.” best that I can be and hopefully get 13-year-old Andersson, a native of a scholarship. I’d like to be a police Kungälv, Sweden, says his hope is to officer.” He was impressed with the one day skate in the NHL. If not, he Swedish team’s abilities on the ice. would enjoy coaching hockey. He “They are great puck movers and they spoke about his experience during see the ice well at a high speed. They the trip playing hockey and visiting are very skilled where the Canadian game is more physical.” Robertson’s school. “Canada has fast players who are big and strong. The rinks are smaller. I went to school (École intermediaire de Casselman) with Graham. It’s a big school with lots of kids and very friendly. It was hard to understand
Graham’s father James was impressed with the Swedish team and was happy to share stories of hockey with the coaching staff. They spoke about the different aspects of coaching between countries.
Noah Andersson, left, and Graham Robertson visiting the Canham Farm in Avonmore.
Photo submitted: James Robertson