Page 4 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 50

4 JANUARY 2017 Issue #50 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall’s Ed Lumley Arena welcomed a huge crowd during the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship pre-
tournament game between Sweden and Slovakia on December 19. Photo - Todd Anderson

Continued from page 1 similarities between our countries. early in the match, Team Sweden Senators’ Jonathan Dahlen and Filip
Emerging from a back door at Ed “It’s great to see Slovakians eventually found their way back to Ahl - all of Sweden, as well as highly
Lumley Arena to escape the frosty competing in Canada because these claim a 4-3 overtime victory. Droba, touted NHL Draft pick prospects
weather outside, Droba greeted a are two friendly allies. We have who dropped the puck during a Adam Ruzicka (2017 eligible),
small group of people on hand with a great friendship between our pre-game ceremonial face-off, was Slovakia, and Rasmus Dahlin
a smile and a handshake. He turned countries. We are unified together cautiously optimistic heading into (2018 eligible), Sweden. Dahlin, a
to the individual with the notepad with the game of hockey. Both the official WJHC tournament, held 16-year-old, has been compared to
and pen and said, “Please let me countries are hockey nations. We’re from December 26 to January 5 in Ottawa defenceman Erik Karlsson.
know how I can help you. Where Toronto and Montreal. Slovakia Matej Tomek, a Philadelphia Flyers
very proud of our players.”
would you like to have a talk?” In kicked off the event on December draft pick, played an outstanding
an exclusive interview with Sports Nearly 3500 fans made the trek 27 against Canada. game in the Slovakia goal making
Energy, Droba shared his thoughts to the Civic Complex to watch one “Canada has a great team. People 40 saves.
on the Cornwall WJHC exhibition of the highest-attended games in a will see some great hockey. It The last time the WJHC was
game and described some of the long time in Cornwall. Down 3-1 would be irresponsible for me to held in Canada, in 2015 in Toronto

put expectations on the (Slovakian) and Montreal, Slovakia defeated
Voted Cornwall’s Favourite team but I wish they play real well Sweden in the Bronze Medal Game
Paint, Blind & Shutters and reach for the medal round. I just 4-2. It was Slovakia’s first medal at
2014 hope they do the best they can do.” the tournament since 1999. Droba
said he believed this year’s squad
Droba was accompanied at the
Presents “Famous Sports Quotes” game by Cornwall Attorney Sean would also feed off the crowds they

Adams, and his son Nikolai (a film would see in Canada this winter.
“Never let your head hang down. Never give up and critic who coincidentally helped “They are going to play in front of

sit down and grieve. Find another way.” coordinate bringing the Canadian very big audiences. They will be in
premiere of Swedish award-winning huge arenas with 18,000 to 20,000
Satchel Page film The Break-In to Cornwall’s people and will receive massive

Residential • Commercial • Industrial Port Theatre last February). Sean support from the Canadians. They
Adams, a descendent of Slovakians, will see Canadians and Slovakians
Jas-Mar is now your local distributor said he was thrilled to have Droba in both share a deep love for the sport.”
Canadian made, interior/exterior attendance. When Droba found out he
“My grandparents came to Canada would be attending the game
in 1928. I am proud of my heritage. in Cornwall, he reached out to

Any time I get the chance to get Sweden’s Ambassador Per Sjogren.
involved in promoting the Slovakian Unfortunately he could not attend
culture, I do. Slovaks are so much as his itinerary included a flight to
like Canadians. They are good Sweden early the next day.
people ... and they love hockey. This
“It’s a great honour for me to be
really is great for our city. There
here,” said Droba. “As ambassador
hasn’t been a game like this here in a
I support this team. There’s a lot of
while. We are watching some future support for this team. We have a
Since 1988 NHLers out here.” large Slovak community in Canada.
Celebrating 28 years
The game featured several NHL You look around and you see lots
Cornwall’s Oldest Family Owned draft picks including Minnesota of flags and jerseys in this crowd. I
Paints, Blinds, Shutters Paint, Blind & Shutter Store Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek, Anaheim want to thank those fans who came

240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com Ducks’ Jacob Larsson, and Ottawa to cheer on some good hockey.”