Team Canada Tops The World 6-4 in Charity Game

Team Canada defeated the World Team 6-4 in a charity hockey game held in early January at “The Rink”, located on the 7th floor of the Central Grand Rama IX shopping centre. Team Canada was composed of Canadian expats based in Thailand, plus three visiting Canadian MPs (Patrick Brown – Barrie, Andrew Saxton – North Vancouver, & Randy Hoback – Prince Albert), and ex-Trustee Justin Heran from Simcoe County. The World team was a collection of American, Czech, English, Finnish, German, and Swedish players. It was also boosted by the addition of Chicago Black Hawk defenseman, Johnny Oduya, who soon after the game flew back to North America to participate in the abbreviated NHL season.

Team Canada was in tough for this game because the World squad featured the Flying Farangs top line of Swede Henrik Olofsson, Czech Jurg Dudler, Thai national Tewin “Thor” Chartsuwan plus defensemen Oduya and Swiss national Remo Nyffenegger. This line had led the Farangs to their first ever Land of Smiles tournament victory back in October.            

Philip Calvert, Canada’s new ambassador to Thailand, dropped the puck for the ceremonial face-off between Flying Farang co-captain and outgoing TCCC board member Todd Switzer and World Team captain Oduya. The TCCC was also represented by board members Derek van Pelt and John Casella and advisor and Flying Farang co-captain Geoff McIntyre.

Marc Spiegel, the President of the Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce, was the MC for the evening and handled the introductions in both Thai and English. Attending the game were Thai Senator Tassana Boontong, The President of Thailand-Canada Parliamentarian Friendship Group and MP Udomlak Pengnorapat, the vice-president of that organization. 

The Canadian team jumped out to an early lead in the game and hung on with some stellar goaltending from Lance Parker, who had done yeoman’s work to help promote the game. Canadian MP Patrick Brown dominated play when he was on the ice. The World Team fought back to within one goal through the determined effort of Oduya, and the strong goaltending of Czech Ambassador Victor Grepl but in the end the Canadian bench proved too strong for the World Team and Thai goalie Pattarapol “Dream” Ungkulpattanasuk, playing for Team Canada, made a number of sensational saves in the third stanza to seal the win for the Canadian team for the second year running.             

Organizer Scott Murray said, “We had an active NHL player, the Canadian ambassador to drop the puck, three serving Canadian MPs playing, and a Thai senator and MP in attendance, what more could you want?  Referees Sakchai Chinanuvatana and Mike Lashbrook also did a great job of maintaining order in the game when it looked like things might get out of hand.”

The game raised Bt58,474  for the Thai Red Cross. This was the third charity game to help the Red Cross, the first was in January 2005 to benefit tsunami victims, and the second was last year to benefit Bangkok flood victims.

Senior Citizen denies Flying Farangs third crown in 5 years

The Bangkok Flying Farangs were trying to win their third City of Angels crown in five years; all that was stopping them was a 62-year-old goalie – and he did. The keeper for the all-Finnish team, Ukkometsot, Mika Rantanen, which had flown in from Helsinki, stoned the Farangs in the final match as the visiting Finns won the first tournament to be played at the new arena, The Rink, located on the 7th floor of the Central Grand Rama IX shopping mall.

The favourite going into the 35-and-over tourney was the Hong Kong Tigers who had a slew of relatively young forwards (aged 35-39), who skated rings around the opposition in the early matches, making mincemeat of their opposition. But like the Farangs, the Tigers fell victim to the wily Finnish keeper in the semi-final exiting the tourney without the Cup they so eagerly coveted. The Farangs beat the Kuala Lumpur Cobras in their semi-final game to set up the final match against Ukkometsot.

Flying Farang goalie Jason Cotsmire had a brilliant tourney except for a brief 5-minute span at the start of the final game when Ukkometsot scored three quick goals on him. It was erringly similar to the 5-minute breakdown the New Jersey Devils suffered in period one of game 6 of the Stanley Cup final when Steve Bernier took a five minute major boarding penalty and the LA Kings scored three power-play goals. The Farangs did call a time out after the Finns’ three quick goals, but like the Devils were never able to gain the momentum, losing the final by the same score the Devils did, 6-1.     

The 15-team tourney was divided into three four-team divisions and one three-team division, with each team playing the other teams in its division before being re-seeded according to their records. Bangkok entered two other teams in the tourney and the second-seeded Bangkok team reached the semi-final of the consolation championship, while the third Bangkok team, composed – ironically – mostly of Finns, saw an early exit from the tourney as they were unable to muster much scoring power.   

The highest-profile player in the tourney was Jay North, who had flown in from Texas to play for the Singapore Hawkers (Singapore like Bangkok, entered three teams in the tourney). North, a Minnesota high-school stand-out, was selected 63rd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1980 entry draft, ahead of future NHL stars like Jari Kurri, Bernie Nicholls, Steve Larmer, Steve Kasper, Hakan Loob & Andy Moog.  His NHL career never did pan out, but people still talk about the way he dazzled the crowd in his high school days. 

All the matches on the final day were televised live on Thai TV and the rink was a beehive of journalistic activity with cameramen, photographers and writers everywhere. Tournament organizer Scott Whitcomb and his team at Jogsports did an outstanding job of running the event. And the Rink, which was still trying to air out its kinks was able to withstand the heavy schedule of morning to late-night matches despite Bangkok’s heavy humidity.

www.jogsports.com

Johnny Oduya has chosen the unconvential NHL lockout route: Thailand – by Justin Bourne

Picture credit to Naz Brown

I recently received a great message from Jason Cotsmire, a Long Island, NY native who now lives in Bangkok, Thailand, about a rather interesting sighting at his local arena these days: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya.

It turns out that while other NHL players are trying to stay sharp by playing in a variety of European Leagues, Oduya wanted to take a little vacation, but still keep his skills sharp “ Thailand was his solution. Here’s how Oduya’s participation there came to pass, from Cotsmire:

It was totally out of the blue and something I never would have believed, but I got it directly from his best buddy who joined him on the trip. Apparently they were celebrating his buddy’s birthday when the subject of the lockout came up and Johnny mentioned that if it kept on going, he was heading to Thailand for a vacation. [name redacted] told him he should check out if there was hockey there so he could still get some skates in and stay in shape slightly kidding. Johnny picked up his iPhone did a quick search and came upon www.flyingfarang.com. Not only was there hockey here but he was going to be here during the dates of our annual tournament.

The tournament Cotsmire is referring to is The Land of Smiles ice hockey classic, “an annual mens league competition held in Bangkok to help raise money for hockey in Thailand and slum kids/communities in Bangkok through The Mercy Center.”

It was originally a four-team event that’s in its 18th version, and now features 60 men’s league teams from around the world. There’s a “rec” division “ good players, with an emphasis on the beer and fun “ and an “open” division, for those who think they still may have a pro shot.

Something else cool to note: this year Vesa Toskala participated in the event as a forward with a Finnish team, and previous tournaments have seen Troy Crowder and Neal Broten get involved.

More on the tournament from Jason before we resume:

Over the years, we have had teams consistently attend from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and the UAE. Most of these teams are made up of expat Canadians/Americans and Europeans currently living/working in those respective countries. Additionally as the tournament became more well known, we’ve had teams from Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Serbia, Latvia, Canada and the USA come out and join us as wel

Back to Oduya’s story, and how he ended up following through:

He contacted the organizer of the tournament and things just went into full affect from there. When we first heard he was coming, many of the guys in Bangkok figured that one of our Swedish guys knew him or knew someone that knew him. Nope, turns out it was just totally by circumstance that it all came together. Johnny arrived Friday morning in Bangkok, went to a seaside resort for a few days and we had a small morning skate with him on the Monday of the tournament week followed by Tuesday night shinny before the tourney to get him accustomed to his new teammates.  Let’s just say it was a surreal experience to be playing with a current NHLer. Of course Johnny played with our Open Division Bangkok team and led them to the Championship of our own tournament for the first time ever.

Picture credit to Naz

Here’s the winning squad:

Oduya gave some quotes to the Bangkok Post about his experience there.

On the vacation destination that is Thailand:

“I wanted to come back to Thailand for a while. It is a big holiday spot for Swedish people to go when it gets colder back home.”

On the event, from the Bangkok Post:

“I didn’t know if it would be a good idea but once we started looking into it a bit more we got more excited. I didn’t know that it would end up anything like this, this is a much bigger venue than anything I thought I would be part of.”

“The facilities here are unbelievable for being in a mall in a tropical paradise,” he said with a chuckle at the rink at Rama IX.

And finally from the Bangkok Post, on surprising people:

“In the beginning, the first day, I showed up to practice and it was more like ‘oh you are here, we didn’t really think you were going to show up’,” he said. “They thought it was all talk. I hope they think it’s been fun and as long as everybody has a good time I’m happy with that.”

To me, this is perfection. It’s just the ideal way to use the lockout “ see somewhere new, do something cool, make an effort to stay on your skates and not get too rusty. And in the middle of your career, it’s not the worst thing in the world to let your body heal up with a nice break from seriously competitive hockey, especially if the NHL resumes play sometime this season.

Oduya Leads Farangs to Victory in Bangkok Tourney

Johnny Oduya of the Chicago Black Hawks, currently locked out over a revenue sharing dispute between the National Hockey League owners and players, took advantage of his spare time to lead Bangkokís Flying Farangs to do something theyíve never done before, win their own tournament.

The four-division, 36-team, 18th annual Land of Smiles tourney was labelled an instant classic with the Farangs defeating the Abu Dhabi Storm 2-1 in a very close final game to win the international open division. Bangkok captain Geoff McIntyre provided most of the final-game dramatics, assisting on Rob Taylorís tying goal, after Abu Dhabi jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, and then scoring the winning goal himself. McIntyre didnít make it easy for his team though taking a minor penalty with just over two minutes to go; the pro-Bangkok crowd was on pins and needles as the clocked ticked down to the Flying Farangsí first home championship. Netminder Dean Tzembelikos, who flew in from Hong Kong for the tourney, provided crucial saves for the Farangs at key times to earn the win. And veteran Robert Voisine, also played an important tormenting opposing netminders so Farang forwards could better put in the blasts coming from their stellar defensemen on the points.

Thai National star Tewin ìThorî Chartsuwan skated on the Farangs top line with Swiss speedster Jurg Dolder and Swedish ace Henrik Olofsson. Likit Neimwan-Andersson, the only Thai to ever play professional ice hockey, teamed up with Oduya on defense. Likit had played with Oduyaís brother Freddy (now deceased) years earlier in Sweden, and was one of the few players on the team who could handle Oduyaís rocket-hard passes.

The ìPitstopî team from Latvia defeated the Singapore Manimals to win the International Menís Tier Two division (the Flying Farangsí second squad came within a goal of reaching their final as well, losing in a semi-final shoot-out to the Latvian team).
The Hong Kong Hitmen trumped the Abu Dhabi Theebs to win the Asian Division and the Abu Dhabit Storm beat the Bangkok C Galís to take home the womenís division honours.

Also competing in the tournament for the Finnish team Jellonas was Vesa Toskala, the former number one goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now retired, Toskala also played for San Jose, Anaheim and Calgary in his NHL career. Toskala holds the San Jose record for most points by a goalie in a game (2), he was also traded to Anaheim with Jason Blake for former Conn Smythe trophy winner (MVP in the playoffs), Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Oduya was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers (who became the Winnipeg Jets) from the New Jersey Devils on 4 February 2010 along with Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier and a 1st round draft pick for Anssi Salmela and Ilya Kovalchuk. On 10 March 2010; Kovalchuk went on to sign the most expensive contract in NHL history – US$102 million spread over 17 years. Oduya was later dealt to Chicago on February 27 of this year for a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is scheduled to make US$4 million this year (if the NHL resumes play), and he plays on defense with former James Norris trophy winner (best defenseman in the NHL) Duncan Keith and his co-Olympic gold-medal winning teammate Brent Seabrooke.

The Land of Smiles tourney took place over five days at ìThe Rinkî, Grand Central Rama IX Mall and the Imperial Samrong Ice Arena. The Zamboni at Samrong broke down early in the tournament and panic set in quickly, because when the machine broke it left a large and deep rut in the ice, so dangerous that the Canadian Hackers team threaten to leave for safety concerns. Quick thinking by Flying Farang Mike Swager saved the day, as after packing the whole with some loose ice, he grabbed a fire extinguisher and hosed the rut shut earning the nickname ìThe Extinguisherî (photos by Naz Brown).

Team Canada tops the World 7-5 in Charity Game

In a thrilling charity hockey game held recently to raise money for Thai flood victims Team Canada defeated the World Team 7-5. The game launched “The Rink”, a new ice skating facility located on the 7th floor of the Central Grand Rama IX shopping centre. Team Canada was composed of Canadian expats based in Thailand, plus four visiting Canadian MPs (Patrick Brown – Barrie, Andrew Saxton – North Vancouver, Brian Jean – Fort McMurray, and Blaine Calkins – Edmonton ), and ex-Trustee Justin Heran from Barrie. The World team was a collection of American, Czech, English, Finnish, German, Norwegian and Swedish players. It was also boosted by the top line from the Thai National Team, which won silver at the Asian Winter Games in Kazakhstan in 2011.          

John Casella, President of the TCCC, and one of the Flying Farang players was one of the VIPs introduced at the beginning of the game. As was Jennifer May, Canada’s Charge d’affaires, who represented the Canadian Embassy at the event decked out in a Montreal Canadians jersey.

The Canadian team fell behind 2-0 early in the game; then rallied with four straight goals to take the led 4-2. MP Brown scored on a beautiful slapshot to tie the game at 2 and Kirk Nell tipped in a clearing pass to put the Canadians in the led. The World team rallied to within one scoring to trail only 4-3. But the Canadians seemed to draw energy from a skirmish in front of the World net and exploded for three goals in quick succession to take a commanding 7-3 lead. The World squad later two added goals late in the game to make the final score a respectable 7-5.

Thomas Doucet was in goal for Canada during the first period, Simon Halverson during the second period and Lance Parker was in net in the third. Fourteen-year-old Halverson, the son of RCMP officer Gary Halverson, was particularly brilliant during stretches of the second frame when the World team stormed the net trying to tie the score.                     

The BNH mascots were on hand delivering good cheer as they worked the crowd. Everyone seemed to enjoy the show, especially the Canadian MPs who were presented with their own personal Flying Farang jerseys before the game.

Organizer Scott Murray said, “We were on pins and needles up until game time because the Zamboni was broken, but in the end it all worked out and everyone had a good time. The Flying Farangs would like to thank Khun Noi of The Rink, Sakchai Chinanuvatana and Scott Whitcomb, without whose help we could not have staged this game.”

The game raised Bt70,990.25 for the Thai Red Cross in support of flood relief.

Former NHL enforcer Crowder turns goal-scorer in unlikeliest of hockey venues

BANGKOK, Thailand – Former New Jersey Devil right wing Troy Crowder has come a long way since his days as one of the NHL’s most feared enforcers. Last week he came 15,000 kilometres to be precise.

Crowder, whose on-ice scraps with top heavyweight Bob Probert of the Detroit Red Wings became the stuff of legend, made the journey to Bangkok, Thailand – along with some 400 hockey players from around the globe – to contest the “Land of Smiles” international ice hockey tournament.

While ice sport and the balmy Thai climate may seem an unlikely combination, hockey has blossomed in this steamy Southeast Asian nation.

“When I first heard about the tournament, I didn’t even think Bangkok had an arena,” said the 39-year-old Crowder, who was recruited by former junior teammate Brent Bywater to play for the North Bay Fighting Muskies. “The ice is really soft and it took some time to get used to, but it’s been a lot of fun playing here.”

Thirty teams from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia participated in the tournament, organized by local company Jamcomb Sports from Oct. 24-27.

Crowder didn’t disappoint after assuming the goal scorer’s role.

The six-foot-four, 240-pounder showed off his soft hands by scoring two shootout goals to lead his team to the semifinals.

The Fighting Muskies were eventually eliminated by a high-scoring United Arab Emirates team stacked with Belorussians, which eventually went on to win the competition.

Nonetheless, the experience was extraordinary, Crowder said, one he’ll never forget. He’s vowed to start recruiting as soon as he returns to his home in Sudbury, Ont., and return with a stronger team in 2008.

Crowder’s attendance continued a burgeoning NHL tradition in Bangkok after U.S. Olympian Neil Broten brought a team that won the tournament in 2001.

The Bangkok Flying Farangs team – “farang” being the Thai word for foreigner – has hosted the tourney since 1995. Despite many obstacles, the sport has steadily developed and the Thai capital has become Southeast Asia’s hockey hub.

The recreational Thai-World Hockey League entered its fifth season in September, boasting a blend of former Canadian junior and U.S. collegiate players, alongside skaters from Thailand, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

The TWHL’s marquee draw is former Sweden player Reine Rauhala, who once shared a dressing room with NHL stars such as Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund in the early 1990s.

Hockey has also captured the imagination of the locals. Despite a lack of government sponsorship and interest, Thailand deploys its national team to compete in international play – though sometimes the result is a devastating blowout.

Unranked by the International Ice Hockey Federation, Thailand squared off against world No. 11 Kazakhstan last February at the Asian Winter Games, leaving the ice on the losing end of a 52-1 scoreline as the tournament favourite Kazakhs mercilessly out-shot the Thais 97-7.

Thai-American goaltender Jason Cotsmire, originally from Long Island, N.Y., played half that game.

“I was thinking, ‘what did I get myself into?”‘ he said. “We were oversized and overmatched. It was more of a practice than a game.”

But like most Thai players, Cotsmire took the defeat in his stride, and the lessons learned with a smile.

“It was an once-in-a-lifetime experience. How many guys can say they played at that calibre?”

As well as entertaining the bemused locals, the Flying Farangs raise money each year for charitable causes, including some of Bangkok’s most disadvantaged children.

One of the team’s proudest moments came in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami that ravaged the country in 2004, when Bangkok’s hockey players teamed up with the NHL to raise more than US$40,000 for tsunami survivors with a charity game.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/former-nhl-enforcer-crowder-turns-goal-scorer-in-unlikeliest-of-hockey-venues

Flying Farangs Make NHL.COM

Through trials and tribulations, Thai hockey persists
Bill Meltzer | NHL.com correspondent

Most people in the west are unaware that organized ice hockey even exists in Thailand. Unfortunately, few in the Far East are aware of it, either. In a country of 62 million people, there are only about 200 natives who play hockey – 80 adult men, 100 boys and 20 women.
But hockey in Thailand actually has three decades worth of history, and a Thai national team represents the country at Asian-based hockey tournaments. The vast majority of the hockey community in Thailand is comprised of expatriates from Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Japan and other countries.
As with most non-traditional hockey countries, hockey equipment is tough (and expensive) to come by in Thailand. The tropical Thai climate also seems inhospitable to the sport, but there are several ice rinks available, foggy but functional.

Seek and you shall find hockey

There are currently three rinks in Thailand. It takes some effort to seek out hockey at the facilities, but you’ll find it at two of them. Today, there’s an Olympic-sized ice rink, called the World Ice Skating Center, located on the seventh floor of the Thai World Trade Center Complex in Bangkok. It is the biggest rink in Southeast Asia. But the facility places a low priority on hosting ice hockey. The sport’s development has never been atop the agenda of the Bangkok-based Thai Ice Skating Association. It’s primarily figure skating, not hockey that rinks are built for and stay in existence.

As a result, most hockey games and clinics are centered in the other two facilities. Most tournaments take place at the reopened Imperial Samrong Rink in Bangkok and the Bully Sky Ice rink in the city of Chiangmai. The full-sized Chiangmai rink is on the fifth floor of the Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Complex adjacent to a large hotel. The Bangkok facility is located at the Imperial World Samrong Shopping Complex, about 30 minutes outside the downtown area.

Thai hockey is in the same situation as other countries when it comes to providing equipment for local and foreign players. Most of it is either donated by visiting players or obtained via fundraising efforts by the expatriate community.

A veteran Thai player, Sakchai “Jeab” Chinanuvatana, imports equipment from North America and Europe and supplies the gear to as many other players as possible. The problem is that it’s a costly business to operate within Thailand, and the equipment is simply too expensive for most native Thais to be able to afford. As a result, most youth hockey participants in the country are from well-to-do families. The lower income youth players typically obtain second-hand equipment.

Showing the same “when there’s a will, there’s a way” spirit exhibited in many developing hockey countries, it’s not uncommon for Thai players to tape broken sticks together and play with ill-fitting gloves— or no gloves at all. Whatever it takes to play the game, the Thai players will gladly do.

Two years ago, the International Ice Hockey Federation hosted an Asian hockey development camp in Chiangmai. Along with Thai players, attendees from Taiwan, India, Singapore and Thailand braved oppressive heat outside and sweltering conditions inside the Bully Sky ice rink for the chance to learn from players from countries with IIHF World Championship experience.

Demonstrator Stephan Speck, a New Zealander, got an education of his own when he saw that some of the players did not even own a complete hockey uniform, but went all out in the sessions. “I was surprised to see some of the players wearing jeans. One player was wearing his turban under his helmet,” he told the IIHF Ice Times.

Added fellow instructor Stephan McClutcheon; “I came away with a feeling that every individual at the camp had gotten at least 50 percent better. It was definitely a worthwhile trip, and I hope that all the players at the camp continue to carry on with their hockey.”

Flying Farangs and Thai World Hockey League

Without the assistance and leadership of the expatriate hockey community in Thailand, it’s unlikely that the sport would still exist on an organized level in the country.

In 1994, the Flying Farangs club was first organized by a group of expatriate hockey players who were coaching some of the Thai hockey teams. Farang is the Thai word for foreigner.

A Canadian player, Craig O’Brien, founded the Farangs. A mechanical engineer by day, O’Brien organized a group of foreigners from diverse backgrounds sharing a common love for playing the game. Upon his return home, other Farang members took over the leadership mantle. In more recent years, defenseman Kevin Hall has spearheaded the team’s fund-raising efforts.
The Flying Farangs have become the keystone of Thai hockey to most of the global hockey community. A team jersey hangs in an exhibit on global hockey at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

In 1999, the Bangkok Hockey league was established, consisting of five teams. The next year, the league expanded to 10 teams – nine featuring Thai players and one club of expatriates vying for the championships. When the Samrong Ice Rink closed in 2002, the league was temporarily disbanded. The Flying Farangs, however, continued to press on, sending teams to tournaments in Asia. Teams from Thailand have played in tournaments held in Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, and Ulaanbaatar.

Each October, in conjunction with Jancomb Sports Ltd., the Flying Farangs co-host an international fund-raising hockey tournament dubbed the OK Cup. Now entering its 13th year, the 2007 tournament will take place from Oct. 24-27 at the Samrong Rink. The tourney has the dual purpose of supporting the development of Thai hockey and raising money for needy children at the Human Development Center operated by Father Joseph Maier in Klongtoey.

Participating teams have come from as far away as Canada, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic, but the regular foreign squads are from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Beijing and Tokyo. Thailand is represented by the Flying Farangs and three or four all-Thai teams such as Canstar, the Grizzly Bears and the Rockets. At the end of the tournament, all of the players from every team mix together at a big “thank you” party.

In addition to the hockey event, the Flying Farangs host a charity golf tournament each August at a country club in the tourist haven of Pattaya. Now in its fourth year, the tournament proceeds are donated to the Thai Fund Foundation and to the further development of the Thai hockey program. In addition to the time spent on the links, participants can usually be found enjoying the Pattaya nightlife.

When the Samrong rink in Bangkok reopened, the Farangs quickly moved back into their old haunt. The team scrimmages there on Wednesday nights and its member also participate in the Thai World Ice Hockey League on Sunday evenings at the same venue.

The TWIHL is entering its fourth year of operations with five teams. In the modern circuit, there is even mixture of Thai and farang players on each squad. In addition to the native Thai players, you’ll find Canadians, Americans, Swedes, Finns, Germans, Japanese and Australians.

The skill level of the players varies widely. There are some former semi-professional players, but there are also novices who simply want to play. The circuit’s primary goal is to promote the sport as a fun way for people of all nationalities to bond and engage in friendly competition.

To date, the most skilled native player Thai hockey has produced is forward Vanchalerm “Top” Rattapong, and even he has never played outside of Asia. Rattapong works for a local modeling agency and his combination of flashy stickhandling and stylish appearance led him to be dubbed the Jaromir Jagr of Thailand by the farang players.

The multi-cultural makeup of the teams is intended to help advance the skill level of the Thai participants. Because goaltending is largely an individual position, there are three Thai goalies and three farang goalies in the league who rotate each week to play for different teams. This year, the league has added a support fund for players, intended to help subsidize the costs of equipment and ice time, especially for Thais who want to participate in the game.

The joy of competition

Earlier this year, Thailand participated in the Asian Winter Games in Changchun, China. The hockey tournament field was utterly lopsided. Participants ranged from Kazakhstan (a country that has produced NHL players, has played in the Olympics and at the elite level of IIHF World Championship competitions and, at worst, is a top Division I team) to the Division II caliber host nation to borderline Division III caliber United Arab Emirates down to the comparatively novice Thai and Hong Kong teams.

The Thais were coached by an American, Michael Rolanti. A former college player at RPI, Rolanti operates a chain of English language schools in the Thai capital.

The Thai players were extremely excited to pull on a national team sweater, even though they knew full well they had no chance of winning the hockey tournament and the Kazakhs were a shoo-in to win. Simply taking to the ice against a team like Kazakhstan was an honor.

Team Thailand played hard in every game, and lost by a respectable 4-0 score to the United Arab Emirates. But it was the game against Kazakhstan that drew attention overseas. The Thai team, plucky and courageous as it was, was simply out of its league.
Kazakhstan scored 52 goals in the game, seven of which came off the stick of left winger Oleg Eremeev, a professional player who has competed at the World Junior Championships and Division I World Championships. The Kazakhs out-shot the Thais 97-7, with six of the Thai shots coming in the third period. Nevertheless, the Thai players skated for 60 minutes as though the score were 0-0.

“I think it was a good game for us, because we never gave up,” Rolanti told The Toronto Sun.

While such words may sound trite – and perhaps even comical – those familiar with Thai hockey understood that simply not getting discouraged and continuing to play hard was the Thai team’s primary ambition. Scoring even a single goal would be a victory in its own right.

Seven minutes into the third period, the Thais shot wildly at the net, and the puck caromed right into the slot. Thai forward Arthit Thamwongsin just about lept out of his skates to pounce on the loose puck and ferociously slam the puck into the net past startled Kazakh goaltender Sergey Ogureshnikov.

Ogureshnikov is a top goaltender in the Kazakh league for Kazzinc Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk and has played in the World Championships at both the elite and Division I levels. To the Thais, scoring a goal on Ogureshnikov was almost like scoring on Martin Brodeur, because he represented competition at hockey’s top levels. Several minutes later, the Thais generated a breakaway opportunity, but Ogureshnikov made an easy stop.

Despite the epic rout, the Thais left with a positive feeling. The excitement of the lone goal was what they took away from the game, along with the experience of having played a well-established international opponent. It left the players hungry for more.

Recognition for work on, off ice

Bill Meltzer | NHL.com correspondent

Thai hockey occasionally drifts into the consciousness of the rest of the hockey world. In the early 1990s an on-ice appearance by former NHL player, 1980 Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup winner Neal Broten at a fund-raising tournament drew mild attention from overseas. More recently, Thai hockey was featured on an Asian sports television show, and print stories in Asia, Europe and North America.

Most notably, the NHL joined with the Thai hockey community two years ago in the wake of the deadly tsunami of December 2004. A fund-raising game organized by the Flying Farangs and Thai World Ice Hockey League nearly drew 800 onlookers to a rink not designed for spectator-driven hockey (the building was filled to capacity) and raised $50,000 (U.S.) in relief funds.

The NHL donated $2,600 for each goal scored in the game. Billed as “Canada vs. The World,” the match featured an all-Canadian squad took on a team of players from the United States, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Japan and Thailand. The World team won by a 7-6 score. In addition to the NHL donation, about $5,000 was raised through gate receipts at the door.

”We’ve played a lot of hockey here for more than 10 years, but this is the team’s proudest moment,” Flying Farangs defenseman Kevin Hall said to the Associated Press.

Hong Kong World Ice Hockey 5’s

by Michael White

June 11-17th, 2007

With Hong Kong’s brand new MegaIce arena online, Bangkok’s Flying Farangs rounded up a representative team to battle in the World Hockey 5’s in June 2007. Boasting a talented lineup including grinders, movers and shakers from Thailand, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Germany and (Manila?) — the Farangs were clearly one of the favorites heading into the tourney.

But this would be no cakewalk. Some key elements were stacked against the lads from Bangkok: delayed flights, lost hockey sticks and the absence of Scotty “Hockey” Murray, who missed his first Asia tournament in a remarkable 12 years.

Game On!

Game 1: Farangs vs. Kuala Lumpur Cobras

In recent years Bangkok has often had the better of their long-time rivals, the KL Cobras, but heading into the tournament’s opening game, the Farangs faced a different looking team with a bite. This year it was clear that KL was much improved, not only with an assortment of new snipers but also dauntless Farang backstopper Jason Cotsmire, who was brought in to man the pipes. Against these odds it was no surprise that the Farangs came out flat and found themselves trailing 3-0 after just one period. Goaltender Savard seemed to be all on his own as the Farangs were playing like goldfish. What the heck was going on? Then within 2 minutes, in an amazing sequence, the game was tied 3-3 with Collette, Boomer and Doan all bulging the twine. KL shook it off however and jumped right back into the lead with a sneaky breakaway goal and another off a lucky back board bounce.[5-3 KL]. But the Farangs kept coming, proving they are not a team to throw in the towel, and Switzer drew them within one with a few minutes remaing. The Farangs looked as if they tied it up with Collette tucking one in from the crease, but a quick-whistled referee disallowed it. Cots – in vintage form – was the difference in this one. Final Score: Cobras 5 Farangs 4

Game 2: Farangs vs. Shanghai Old Gaurds

Shaken but not stirred by their opening loss, the Farangs came out much more focused for their next match versus the Shanghai Red Guard. From the drop of the puck this baby was all Bangkok. Speedster Doan made a bold statement on the game’s first shift when he zipped by the baffled Shanghai defense and deked the goalie right out of his jockstrap. [1-0, only 30 seconds in] Momentum was lost briefly when the Guards earned a shorthanded tally off a turnover [1-1], but it didn’t take long for the boys to come firing back. The lead was restored a mere 15 seconds later on the same power play as former Swedish elite leaguer Rauhala scored on his first (and basically only) shot of the tournament. [2-1]. The remainder of the game was nothing less than a Flying Farangs hockey clinic, with all the action down in the Shanghai zone. On the final score sheet Boomer, Marriott and Doan had all bagged two goals a piece, and the shots were a convincing 26 to 9 in the Farangs favor. The boys had clearly sent a tournament message that they had come to play.
Final Score: Farangs 7 Red Guard 1

Game 3: Farangs vs. Tokyo Canadians

The last match of the round robin for the boys was monumental in that it not only dictated the playoff seedings but it was against their long-time nemesis, the Tokyo Canadians. Revenge (best served cold) was on the minds of all Farangs players who just months ago had suffered a heartbreaking semifinal loss to the same team in Singapore. As expected the game was fast paced and filled with end-to-end action. Bodies and sticks were flying everywhere as both teams battled for ice supremacy. Savard came up huge in the early going, making several key saves, a few of the Patrick Roy-variety. Fortunes would go to the opponents first however, as a controversial (garbage) goal was awarded after a Canadians player submarined Savard into the back of the net. [1-0 Tokyo]. But the
Farangs dug deep and would not let this one slip away. Body checks were rampant with a few monster collisions along the boards. This one was going down to the wire. Finally on an early 3rd period powerplay, MWhite snuck one past the opposing goalie with a deflected shot from the slot after a nice feed from Doan [1-1]. Momentum was back on the Farangs side. The pace of the game quickened, with frantic end to end rushes from either side. The game reached it’s peak in the last minute. As if out of a screenplay, the game winner, one of the biggest goals in Flying Farangs history – came with only 12 seconds left. Following a drive to the net by MWhite, captain Marriott banged home a loose puck in the crease to stun the Canadians and win the game for Bangkok. A colossal victory for the Farangs, some payback for the Singapore defeat, and a well deserved bye in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Final Score: Farangs 2 Canadians 1

Game 4: Farangs on the prowl in Hong Kong

Faced with a 36 hour layover until the next playoff game, the Farangs changed gears (and outfits) and decided to take on the city of Hong Kong: Friday Night Style. It is important to note here that although there was no hockey during this period, the Farangs definitely came out to play, with many putting up more numbers in this short time than in all other 5 games combined. It was an impressive showing of teamwork and camaraderie and the metropolis didn’t know what hit it. Details are still a bit sketchy, but there was forensic evidence of pint-heavy bowling, Kennedy’s “birthday” bash at TGI Fridays, a ?World Class” visit to Lan Kwai Fong, an extended tour of Wan Chai, exclusive VIP parties, MIA’s in closets, and, evidently, a dip into Manila.
Final Score: unknown (although the Farangs consider this a decisive victory)

Game 5: Farangs vs. Kuala Lumpur Cobras

Pumped from their Friday night off, the Farangs were energized for their quarter-final match-up, which, as it turned, was a rematch against the Cobras. This time the Farangs were ready to rumble. Cots was under pressure from the get go but proved to be up to the challenge, turning away shot after shot after shot. Savard faced less work in the Farangs net, although he was benefiting from some solid D work by Dittmer, Rauhala, Oracheski and Kennedy. The game finally broke open in the second thanks to some fancy speed and agility by Switzer. Aided by one timely release from the penalty box and another deft pass from Boomer, Todd the Bod went 2 for 2 on breakaways, giving the boys a commanding 2 goal lead. This would be all the Farangs would need to advance as the team’s sharp defensive play softened the Cobras bite. Kennedy fired home an absolute laser making it 3-0 early in the 3rd before Marriott sealed it with an empty netter. An impressive team effort and a well deserved shutout by Savard. Post game action included Coors Light, burgers-with-a-view and a photo shoot with the Manila Ice Vixens (Rauhala’s prot?g?s-to-be).
Final Score: Farangs 4 Cobras 0

Game 6: Farangs vs. Hong Kong Tigers

Nonplussed by a baffling Sunday morning game (the only benefit of Lad Prao training), the Farangs laced ‘em up tight in the semifinals to play the home town ringers, the Hong Kong Tigers. Led by Gregory Smyth and backstopped by one time Farang hero Grant Philips, the undefeated Tigers were unquestionably a giant hurdle in Bangkok’s quest for gold. As predicted the game was fast and furious, with elbows and sticks flying everywhere. Savard was up to his usual antics, making glorious save after glorious save. But he wasn’t the only Farang who came to play. Bruising Bob Kennedy tamed several Tigers with crushing body checks at the blueline, and Rauhala and Heinonen kept the puck moving with their euro-precision passing. A scoreless game after 2 frames proved frustrating for the veteran Tigers team, who had a clear edge in shots. The Farangs also had their share of chances, with Doan, Collette and Tengsakul all just missing the target off of fast breaks. The Tigers finally took the lead off a transition 2-on-1 early in the third which seemed to take the wind out of the Farang sail. With time running down and Savard on the bench for an extra attacker, the action was relentless in the Tigers’ zone, but the Farangs just couldn’t get the puck past Philips. An empty netter with a minute to go sealed the deal for the home team. A tough loss in a great battle to the eventual tournament champions.
Final Score: Tigers 2 Farangs 0

In all, it was another inspiring showing by Boys from Bangkok in a tournament that will no doubt go down in Flying Farangs folklore. All heads were held high from the 3rd place finish (the team would have destroyed Siberia in any consolation match) and all of Asia got the message that the Farangs are a team of the future. Liquid celebrations were rampant all afternoon, easing the hard earned bumps and bruises from a great tournament.

Tourney Notes

* Bangkok Goalie, Clement Savard, earned heavy praise from all opposing netminders for his work between the pipes. He was awarded with MVP Goalie for the tournament.
* Jamie Marriott assured all of his abilities as captain, tallying a team-high 7 points in 5 games (3g 4a).
* Reine Rauhala assured all of his abilities when he actually decides to shoot, boasting a 100% shooting accuracy (1 shot, 1 goal)
* Although he took credit for it, it was not actually Rob Kennedy’s birthday on the Friday night
* No Manila Ice Vixens were harmed in any way in the making of this film
* While the tournament officially ended on Sunday, there were reports that a few Farangs kept grinding well into Monday

The Team:
David Blomqvist (SWE)
Paul Collette (CAN)
Ralf Dittmer (GER)
Joe Doan (CAN)
Rob Kennedy (CAN)
Jouni Heinonen (FIN)
Jamie Marriott (CAN)
Dan Oracheski (CAN)
Reine Rauhala (SWE)
Clement Savard (CAN)
Todd Switzer (CAN)
Chanphong Tengsakul (THA)
Michael White (CAN)