A group of Argentinian teens are in Sault Ste. Marie to train at the Algoma District School Board’s Hockey Canada Skills Academy.
And the three young hockey players call it a dream come true.
They travelled a long way to learn more about their favourite sport and find themselves in the country synonymous with it.
“For me, it’s like a dream because I love this sport,” said Roque Percivaldi.
“In Argentina, we don’t have this. Now I’m talking with my friend and he’s so enthusiastic (about) this. It’s crazy ... An NHL player (former NHLer Jeff Toms) is coaching me, you know? That’s crazy.”
The young players have been at the academy for almost two weeks, honing their skills and learning new ones.
The trio heard about the hockey academy from Bautista Farias Usandizaga, their countryman who participated three years ago and is now calling the Sault home.
“I think there’s a lot of difference in level,” Farias Usandizaga said.
“When I came here, yeah, like, I was really bad, I think. And I’m still not that good. But it’s exciting just to play with people that’s better than me and help me improve.”
Steve Caruso, of Hockey Canada Skills Academy and the Algoma District School Board, said the young players are eager to learn.
Rare opportunity
“These kids are incredible,” Caruso said.
“They come here early, they’re dressed early, they listen bright-eyed. And, you know, they want to accept every little tip that we have here in Canada.”
With only a handful of ice rinks in Argentina, the opportunity to train on the ice is rare. There’s only so much you can learn with inline skating they said.
“The way to skate, the way to stop -- it’s all different,” said Liam Lutheral.
“And also the puck, it’s more lighter. Like, sometimes … it escapes from you. It’s very different.”
“I was very, very nervous, but I think I have improved,” said Celeste Mastracchio.
“I don’t know, it’s just a little bit, like, unbelievable that I’m here.”
Each of the young hockey hopefuls said they want to grow the game in Argentina. They believe that skills camps like this will help them do that.
Though it may take some time before the country ascends to the world rankings, the three said just getting better at their favourite sport is enough for now.
