Trip Update: Dartmouth Says Hello to Stockholm

Photo by Heather Croze

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- The Dartmouth men's hockey team began its day earlier than anyone had planned as the wakeup calls started going off at 5:30 am. By 6:30, the gear was loaded on a truck bound for Stockholm while the group was enjoying breakfast and some time to wake up before heading out themselves. By 7:00 everyone was loaded on the bus as it was time to bid Copenhagen goodbye.

The five-hour train ride to Stockholm passed through several scenic landscapes. Crossing the channel from Denmark to Sweden, quite a few large ships were spotted as the first glimpse of snow was finally seen. It's supposed to be winter in Scandinavia but the temperatures might suggest it's closer to summer conditions as we've discovered its actually colder back in New Hampshire than this part of the world.

Going through some mountains proved pretty snowcovered ground and trees before giving way to very green fields and farmland. Passing through several small towns gave you a sense of country life in Sweden. The train passes several lakes as it's clear water activities are important to the Swedes. Eventually making its way into Stockholm you got an idea of how large the city really is.

After arriving at Central Station the group headed out to its next coach for a thirty minute drive to the Hotel Scandic. Pars is very excited to show everyone what he considers to be the "best capital city in the country" and he started things off by immediately pointing buildings out within minutes of leaving the train station. After a drive across one of the numerous bridges that dot the landscape the Big Green arrived at its hotel. There was just enough time to grab room keys, drop luggage off and head back to the bus as the team had been given admission into the AIK semi-professional hockey game.

Heading back towards Central Station the group arrived in front of a giant globed building as the AIK Black Army team plays in The Globe. The Black Army, who sits second in its league, welcomed Oskarsham as AIK was seeking its 13th home victory this season. Christopher Heino-Lindberg paced his team between the pipes as the Montreal draftee had a shutout game going late into the contest as the home team skated away with a 7-1 victory.

After hot dogs were consumed and souvenir's bought the team loaded back onto the bus to head back to the hotel for a couple of naps and a hearty dinner. The wait staff at Hotel Scandic were exceptional as the kitchen prepared a special meal of barbecue chicken and rice for the team. After eating everyone headed back to their rooms to turn in for the night.

Tomorrow Pars will take the group out for a 2-3 hour guided tour of "his" Stockholm before everyone has a chance to shop in Old Town later in the afternoon. The highlight of the day will be the 5:45 practice that evening on one of Stockholm's outdoor rink.

This trip has been funded through team fundraising activities and private donations over the past four years. The NCAA allows each varsity team to travel internationally once every four years and Ivy League rules prohibit the use of institutional budget funds for this purpose.