I'm going on an adventure! (U19 WFC post #1)

While the tournament is still about a week away, my journey to Göteborg starts tomorrow and this is my first attempt at keeping people updated. There will be some behind the scenes- stuff from me and my goaltender Jeremy whom I will be coaching for the U19. We will upload both pictures, video sequences and blog posts as well. Hopefuylly I will also be publishing a very interesting interview with an elite goalie from Sweden by the end of the week!
Feel free to join me on my journey!

This plan has been in motion for so long that it almost became abstract, but when I woke up this morning it suddenly hit me - I'm going to Göteborg today, my train leaves at 16.52! I am so incredibly excited right now !

I will be taking the train as I always do when travelling south since I'm not overly fond of flying,  Taking the train gives me time additional time to plan and work out details for mine and Jeremy's upcoming cooperation for the tournament and right now, my inspiration is flowing like never before. I spent my last night at home watching highlights and interviews of goaltending legends such as Dominic "The Dominator" Hasek, Patrik Roy, Mike Richter and not least, Henrik "The King" Lundqvist and watching my favorite move "Remember the titans".

My head is filled with quotes from movies, from athletes and coaches in different sports, teammates and coaches I had growing up, from songs, political leaders and from historical warlords throughout time and it all culminates in to a heap of wisdom which I hope to make good use of these coming weeks.
To me, the embodiment of goaltending is displayed through the expressions and physical exertions of two goalies in particular - Hasek and Lundqvist. Their philosophies and techniques, their devotion and skill and their burning passion are all applicable to goalkeepers in other sports and perhaps to floorball even more so than others.

I was up late last night because me and Jeremy had our last skype conversation before the tournament last night, and since Canada is 6 hours behind Sweden it was 03.15 in the morning here before we hung up. We ironed out some details, planned the first practice we will be doing together in Göteborg, set some goals, discussed ice hockey and floorball and even compared the weather. Surprisingly we have more snow here in Luleå than in Canada, which was one of my preconceived notions on Canada - tons of snow all year long... turns out I was wrong.

Packing is done, now all that is left is preparing the interview and setting my mind to being a train for 18 hours... Sweden really is an annoyingly big country, but despite of the long journey I just can't wait to take the walk to the train station while listening to music and taking the whole experience in.

For more frequent updates and pictures, follow me on instragram @malvaktsfokus!

U19, here I come.