St. Ben’s hockey travels to Sweden and Finland over break

Over winter break, the CSB Hockey team embarked on a trip to, Finland, where the team played two Finnish teams, and Sweden, where they played their final game of the trip against a Swedish team. Senior Kate Moffat said the games went great and were an amazing experience.

“All of the teams were very kind, welcoming and competitive on the ice. It was different playing teams from other countries, as the European style of play is slightly different than what we see in the MIAC,” Moffat said.

Senior Shauna Miller shared similar thoughts about the games and the team trip.

“The games in Europe were a great experience for our team. We had the opportunity to compete against skilled Swedish and Finnish teams, which challenged us in new ways,” Miller said.

In between games, the Bennies did some sightseeing, shopped for souvenirs and enjoyed local cuisine. They also went to many museums and historic places including the Nobel Prize Museum, the Vasa Museum, the Avicii experience and the Helsinki Fortress of Suomenlinna. For Moffat, this trip was an experience she will never forget.

“My teammates and I all bonded together and strengthened our friendships. From sharing stories in hotel rooms, singing karaoke, and competing alongside my teammates against European hockey teams, these are all memories I will cherish forever,” Moffat said.

Being able to experience and learn about new cultures was a highlight for Moffat. The team had tour guides in both Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden, who showed them around the city and explained important parts of the culture, such as the Finns’ strong love for their coffee and how Swedish holidays are celebrated. Another fond memory for Moffat took place as the team was traveling to Stockholm on New Year’s Eve.

“The most memorable part of the trip for me was getting to celebrate New Year’s Eve on a cruise ship crossing the Baltic Sea and getting to go into the new year with some of my closest friends,” Moffat said.

Among the activities the team enjoyed, going to a public sea pool and sauna was a top one. Since saunas are a big part of Finland’s culture, Miller said this was a great experience.

“We went back and forth between heating up in a 195-degree sauna and dipping into the Baltic Sea, which was around 37-40 degrees,” Miller said.

Exploring Helsinki, the team visited a Finnish public market where many tried popular Finnish dishes like salmon soup and reindeer. In Sweden, Miller said the food was incredible, especially the Swedish meatballs. In addition to trying traditional foods and visiting shops, the team was also able to attend the changing of the guards at the Royal Armory. For both Miller and Moffat, the trip was an unforgettable experience.

“My teammates and I all bonded together and strengthened our friendships. From sharing stories in hotel rooms, singing karaoke and competing alongside my teammates against European hockey teams, these are all memories I will cherish forever,” Moffat said.

The most memorable part of the trip for Miller was the hockey community and the lasting impact this trip will have.

“It was incredible to see how hockey connects people worldwide, even when there’s a language barrier. The trip brought our team even closer together, and it’s something I’ll always look back on as a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Miller said.

Senior Emma Rooks also enjoyed her time in Europe saying it was the trip of a lifetime. Rooks said it was very exciting to play teams from a different country. It was surprising at first though because the Swedish teams were allowed to check, which is not allowed in women’s hockey in the US. Reflecting on her time in Europe, Rooks said the experience was very enlightening.

“It was very cool for me to see all the architecture that is there as well as the art. It was also really fun to learn about the history of the cities and how they are different but also very similar to each other and to the US,” Rooks said.

Additionally, Rooks’ most memorable part of the trip was the day they got to explore Stockholm.

“I was able to just walk around and see what I wanted to see. I was encapsulated by the architecture and the art. It was very cool to learn about the history and to be able to see it all firsthand,” Rooks said.