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The Israeli Junior National U18 Team
The Israeli junior national U18 team made a stop at the Corel Centre recently as part of a tour across North America. The trip to Ottawa stood out as one of the more special events on the tour.
The late Roger Neilson established the Roger Neilson Hockey Camp in Israel in 1997. It was important for the former Ottawa Senators assistant coach to start the camp because of his love for hockey and his Christian faith. Held at the only rink in the country, the Metulla-based camp kick-started the emergence of organized hockey in Israel. Many of the players representing the U18 team are former students of the camp.
During their stay in Ottawa, the group donated a cheque for $1,000 in support of Roger’s House. The players were also able to attend a Senators practice and meet the players for autographs afterwards. With limited exposure to hockey, attending a Senators practice was a real treat for the young players.
“The size of Chara is amazing,” said Michael Horowitz, 17.
“The stickhandling is great, and it looks like the team chemistry is, too. Every pass is tape to tape.”
A native of Metulla, Oren Zamir, 17, has moved to Wilcox, Sask., to attend Notre Dame College in hopes of pursuing a hockey career.
“The game here is faster,” he said of the main difference from home.
“Israel is getting better though. I love the action and speed of the game.”
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