Post by cjeagle on Mar 21, 2012 6:20:43 GMT 8
Hot As Ice!
By JASER A. MARASIGAN
March 21, 2012, 4:09am
The Manila Predators Club is composed of (back row, from left) Carl Montano, Javi Cadiz, Ian Cadiz, Nico Cadiz, Sam Bengzon, Deric Cadiz, while at front row (from left) Andre Gan, Kayla Herbolario, Charles Cambaliza, Paolo Spafford. Photo By CROMWELL TORI
MANILA, Philippines — Lounging on the beaches might be one way to spend the hot summer vacation, but trying your hand at ice hockey is just as cool. If not, cooler.
Once a recreational activity, ice hockey has become a sporting and spectator event for more and more people, Filipinos included. In fact, Manila has become home to the growing hockey and figure-skating communities. And while sports fans might not expect to find an ice hockey tournament in the Philippines, well there is one – the Manila Ice Hockey League (MIHL), which was formed in 2009.
MIHL is composed of four teams: the Manila Saints, Rocky Mountain Café, the Omni Sharks and The Manila Predators, only all-Filipino team. Games are held on weekends at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink in Pasay City.
The Manila Predators has consistently ranked first in the past regular three season games. Its most recent international feat was winning the championship of the Asian Men B division in Mega Ice Hockey 5 last year, the largest amateur ice hockey tournament in Asia.
“I think there is now a growing appreciation for extreme and unique sports in general. The influx of foreign residents in the Philippines who played ice hockey in their respective countries and are looking to play locally is certainly a good development in bolstering our playing ranks,” observes Deric Cadiz, head coach of The Manila Predators.
BIRTH OF RP ICE HOCKEY
Initially helping Cadiz establish the ice hockey community are expats who, in one way or another, have hockey playing experiences and who share the same passion for the sport.
“In 1995, I was looking for a team sports activity for my boys. They suffered from asthma and allergies, and so I thought of ice hockey. Bill Gow, a British expat, along with like-minded parents formed the Manila Tigers. The idea was to gather interested young players under a more structured hockey training program that wasn’t available at that time and to create teams across the younger age categories and encourage other clubs to be formed for a sustainable competitive young league environment,” explains Cadiz.
Since then, Cadiz has been coaching and managing the Manila Tigers, which eventually became the Manila Predators as a result of the merging in 2002 of two rival clubs, the Manila Tigers and the Manila Typhoons.
“I have been coaching many of these players since they were seven years old. I have seen them grow up as we train every week, traveled with them for competitions, shared with them their triumphs and frustrations, and sometimes their personal issues. They have become more than just players I coach,” relates Cadiz, a former member of the ice hockey non-varsity university league of the University of Michigan.
HOCKEY DAD AND SONS
Making coaching more special for Cadiz is having his sons – Ian, Nico and Javi -- in the team. “I have been coaching my boys since they were five years old. As they age, academics, girlfriends, and work cut into the time available for ice hockey,” he shares.
Like any father, Cadiz would like to see his sons do well. He also tries hard not to show any favoritism when on ice.
“On the contrary, I tend to probably be harder on my sons. I try not to put too much pressure on them. It is an advantage or disadvantage, depends on how you look at it. They tend to be more exposed to my coaching inputs, encouragements, frustrations beyond the ice rink as we sit around the family table,” he says.
THRILLA ON ICE
Despite lacking the mainstream appeal of basketball, boxing, and more recently football, ice hockey has swelled immensely in terms of popularity in the past few years especially when the first and only Olympic-size rink opened in SM Mall of Asia.
Although a larger base of young people are discovering the thrill of the sport, and therefore a larger talent base to build from, the current pool of players is still too small compared with those in other countries. There are around 200 ice hockey players in the Philippines, mostly males, with less than a 100 considered active or registered players. In Canada and the USA, which are among the top five in world ranking, there are almost 600,000 and 500,000 registered players, respectively.
“This is not a country with winter sports history. With such a small pool of players, we don’t have the luxury of choice and screening for talent. We have to make do with whoever wants to play and hopefully elevate their skill level and gel these players into teams. With few players and teams around in Manila to compete with, we have to look abroad for more serious and advanced competition and skills development to keep interest alive and motivation up,” explains Cadiz. “We also hope that SM will take a more active role in ice hockey, which they have done to some extent for figure skating, other than just providing the venue.”
Another challenge is the lack of availability and cost of hockey equipment. “This is not a cheap sport. Everything is imported and kids outgrow and outwear their equipment fast. There are also many distractions to seriously pursuing ice hockey on a sustained basis. We lose players to other more popular and less expensive sports,” he says.
“Ice hockey will not probably be on top of the list of the Philippine Sports Commission as a sport to promote nationally given the size of the active playing population, the cost associated with it, and as an investment in terms of the prospects for quick international medal success on a sustained basis. Thus, it will largely continue to be driven by private sponsors and managers like myself and parents to move the sport ahead,” continues Cadiz.
CAPTAIN PREDATOR
Ice hockey is a difficult sport to learn as it requires a lot of coordination.
“The skill development is pretty hard to start with. Skating, puck handling, shooting, and to avoid running into other players can be difficult, trying do to everything at the same time. It takes a lot of time and commitment. But once you’ve learned these, it is actually very enjoyable and addictive,” says 26-year-old Manila Predators team captain Charles Cambaliza.
It may look like hockey is a purely physical sport but the mental aspect plays a huge part in the game.
“Hockey requires a lot of thinking, creativity and anticipation. Also, I believe skill and natural ability can take you so far. Another part of being a good hockey player is coachability, the ability to absorb what your coaches and peers are trying to teach or relay to you.”
As the winningest team in the Manila Ice Hockey League, the right winger identifies team chemistry as their biggest strength and advantage from the other teams.
“We’re very familiar with how each other plays that there’s not a lot of adjustments when we play. We pretty much just have to anticipate what our teammates are going to do, this is probably due to the fact that we’ve developed great friendships within the team, and we try to hang out after games. We consider each other as family.”
Charles hopes to have an improved youth development program and a national team in the near future.
“Hockey’s development takes a lot of work and support. I believe hockey needs to be greatly recognized as a sport that can be played by Filipinos to get support and to have more competition and experience from other countries. Also a few more rinks around the country so we can have hockey in other developing cities, that way we can have some sort of travel league. I’d like to hear the Philippines be recognized in the world of hockey and to be spoken about along with Canada, U.S., Russia and Czech Republic. Also in the Asian competitions, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea would be a huge dream for us in the team,” he ends.
(For those interested in joining the league, visit the team’s Facebook fanpage: The Manila Predators)
Javi Cadiz, center/right wing, 14, student, Ateneo de Manila High School. Playing for nine years
Love at first ice: The sport looked really cool to me when I was younger because I would see my brothers do really impressive tricks and shots.
On balancing school and hockey: Practice has always been short, so it leaves me enough time to do my schoolwork.
Most memorable game: Against the Manila Voyagers where I scored my first goal ever.
Dream for ice hockey: To see hockey to be as famous as football here. My dream is to get more kids into ice hockey because they really love it and not just because it is popular.
Hockey idol: Sidney Crosby because he gives his all in every game, and has done a ton of spectacular things that have given people as much excitement as Gretzky did when he was still playing.
Charles Cambaliza, team captain/right wing, 26, account analyst. Playing for 12 years
Love at first ice: My brother and I would watch hockey on ESPN. I learned the sport at a hockey summer camp. As a kid, who wouldn’t be attracted to the very cool looking hockey equipment?
Worst injury: An ACL tear on my left knee from a knee to knee collision. I’ve had stretched ligaments on my knees and wrists, and a lot of sprains and bruises.
On balancing work and hockey: It fits well with my work schedule and I’m pretty sure my boss would understand if I had to disappear for hockey. It’s just a matter of getting sufficient rest in between.
Most challenging thing about hockey: Hockey is a very fast sport that any mistake you make can equate to a goal scored on your team. Skating, puck handling, shooting, and avoiding running into other players can be difficult. But once you’ve learned these, it is actually very enjoyable and addictive.
Hockey idols: Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames, Dustin Brown of the L.A. Kings and Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers, all captains of their respective teams. Another favorite player is this goalie from the Manila Predators, Paolo Spafford. I heard he’s freakin’ awesome!
Carl Montano, left wing, 28, head coach of Manila Hawks, ice skating instructor. Playing for 19 years
Love at first ice: I grew up in Canada where hockey is a major sport. When I first began my hockey career I was nine years old. I never skated before and knew nothing about hockey.
Worst injury: A mild concussion.
Other hobbies/sports: I also play American Football once a week for the Filipinas Juggernauts in the ABP Tackle Football League.
Most memorable game: In Vancouver for the Killarney Ice Hawks. I was nervous and excited, and clumsy and unsure of my every move.
Dream for ice hockey: There are many great natural athletes with positive attitudes. We would just need the support to discover the hidden talents.
Hockey idol: Pavel Bure “The Russian Rocket”. He is the perfect example that size isn’t everything. Speed, agility and having the knowledge of the game could make any player great.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Never give up and be confident. Ice hockey has a steep learning curve. I have been playing for over 19 years, coaching for three years and I’m still a student of the game.
Kayla Franchesca Herbolario, forward/left wing, 17, 1st year, Digital Filmmaking, College of St. Benilde. Playing for three years. The only girl in the team.
Love at first ice: I got into ice hockey after watching the movie “The Mighty Ducks”. When I saw Connie Moreau, the female character in the film who plays forward, I got inspired to try a sport that was not common to girls. I figured, wouldn’t it be cool to play a winter sport in a tropical country.
Being One of the boys: I have to keep up with boys who are stronger, faster, and bigger than me. That means eating the right food, working out, and training hard.
Worst injury: It was in Hong Kong last 2010, I was retrieving the puck from the boards, one of the players checked me and we both crashed into the boards. My opponents’ stick stabbed into my chest, giving me a difficult time to breathe. I was sent off the game and they took me to a hospital.
On balancing school and ice hockey: Before I go to training or a game, I make sure I finish all my school works first. And there is this rule where I can’t play if I have a failing subject.
Hockey idols: Evgeni Malkin, from the Pittsburgh Penguins for his commitment to the sport, and Manon Rhéaume, the first female to play for the National Hockey League. She became my inspiration to not give up and that girls can also do what boys do.
Ian Cadiz, defense, 23, 2nd year Medical student at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. Playing for 14 years
Love at first ice: Went to the skating rink one day just for fun and saw that they had a hockey program. I was also brainwashed by “The Mighty Ducks”.
Worst injury: Sprained my wrist, fingers, and smashed my elbow a couple of times. But nothing serious. It’s a pretty safe sport, really.
On balancing school and ice hockey: I have had to give up hockey for school on occasions.
Other hobbies/sports: I used to participate in various martial arts in high school and college.
Most memorable game: My first game was fun, and must have been funny to watch as very few of us could move properly on the ice.
Dream for ice hockey: To break free from local politics and perhaps sustain our current momentum and develop further. At the rate we’re going, we’ll probably be winning a lot more internationally.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Train. Play. Have fun. It’s a game after all. Overall, it boils down to attitude. The skills are rather useful, of course, but it’s the player’s attitude that really defines him.
Paolo “Spa” Spafford, goalie, 26, businessman/model, Marketing and Finance graduate, Northwood University, Michigan, USA. Playing for 16 years
Love at first ice: When I left the Philippines for Michigan as a six year-old kid, I first stayed for a month in Toronto and I was mesmerized by the sport while watching it on TV. I told my mom I wanted to change my name to Felix, after Toronto Maple Leafs’ popular goalie named Felix Potvin.
On being a goalie: It can be very stressful as every mistake is magnified. Basketball players can miss a shot, quarterbacks can have a bad throw, but if I let a goal in, my team feels it. I started playing ice hockey in Michigan and the first shot in my first game, I let in. After that, I figured I could not get worse and could only improve.
Worst injury: A fractured finger. I also fractured my nailbed and I had to have my nail removed. Others include sprained ligaments, a shot to the throat, deep bruises on my collarbone and hips, and a gash on my ribs. And did I mention I had to have my nail removed? Gross!
Dream for ice hockey: It would be such an honor to see the Philippines participate in Olympic Hockey.
Hockey idol: Felix “The Cat” Potvin, he was the reason I became a goalie. He looked incredible with all his gear and his painted helmet. I have that paint job on my mask as a tribute to him.
Samuel A. Bengzon, defense, 22, 4th year, Multi-media Arts, College of Saint Benilde. Playing for 10 years
Love at first ice: When I was younger, before I went to bed, all I thought about was playing puck the next day.
Most memorable game: It was in Hong Kong, a couple of years ago. I felt really nervous especially before entering the ice. I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time to play against other guys from different countries. We did pretty well though. We finished 1st runner up!
Icy situation: Playing against more experienced players, especially the ones that have played in higher levels, is probably the most difficult part of the sport. We overcome them through learning from them.
Dream for ice hockey: I dream that one day the Philippines will recognize the sport and the team.
Andre F. Gan, center, 24, businessman. Playing for 16 years
Love at first ice: I was eight years old when I first stepped on the ice. I love the speed of the game and how you need to be tough and rough a bit, but have finesse at the same time.
Worst injury: I fell down during practice and one of my teammates was skating backwards and accidentally stepped on my arm. I had it stitched up and I was back on the ice a week after.
On dealing with frustrations: I think frustration is the most difficult one, especially if you are on the trailing team. It’s in every player to feel frustrated but sometimes you just have to let go of it and focus on the task at hand.
Most memorable game: My first game in Manila during a local league. It was scary. I remembered having too little done on the ice and more sitting on the bench.
Dream for ice hockey: A better future for other people who want to play hockey, and a future for those who already play hockey. Hockey here is more like a hobby. If we want people to like and try the sport, we need other people to help in terms of providing gear for people who wants to start playing hockey.
Hockey idol: Sidney Crosby for his work ethics, he has great vision on the ice, he makes other players in his team good by providing them with great pass and motivating them not by words but by example.
Nico Cadiz, defense, 22, 4th year, AB Management Economics, Ateneo de Manila University. Playing for 14 years
Love at first ice: I fell in love with the sport ever since I first hit the ice. Ice hockey is on my mind 24/7.
Worst injury: Torn ligament in my ankle from a hit from behind. A bad fall a year ago still affects my knee from time to time.
On balancing school and ice hockey: School is always first, but thankfully our scheduled games and practices don’t conflict with my studies very often.
Team’s strengths and weaknesses: Our biggest strength is probably the fact that we’re a pretty close unit. Our biggest weakness is probably how hot headed we get sometimes.
Hockey idols: Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. They play smart hockey through their clean distribution and calmness with the puck, something I try to incorporate in my game.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Stop aspiring and hit the ice.
www.mb.com.ph/articles/354952/hot-as-ice
___________________
I came across this article mentioning the existence of an ice hockey league in Manila. I was surprised to find out about this, as I didn't know that there were ice hockey rinks over there or that ice hockey was actually being played beyond the recreational level. I have played this sport along with football and basketball growing up but never thought that I would share my passion for this sport and with the NHL with folks back home. It is a unique sport where fighting is allowed at the professional level. Keep it up and I will make sure the next time I visit Manila, I will bring my hockey gear with me.
By JASER A. MARASIGAN
March 21, 2012, 4:09am
The Manila Predators Club is composed of (back row, from left) Carl Montano, Javi Cadiz, Ian Cadiz, Nico Cadiz, Sam Bengzon, Deric Cadiz, while at front row (from left) Andre Gan, Kayla Herbolario, Charles Cambaliza, Paolo Spafford. Photo By CROMWELL TORI
MANILA, Philippines — Lounging on the beaches might be one way to spend the hot summer vacation, but trying your hand at ice hockey is just as cool. If not, cooler.
Once a recreational activity, ice hockey has become a sporting and spectator event for more and more people, Filipinos included. In fact, Manila has become home to the growing hockey and figure-skating communities. And while sports fans might not expect to find an ice hockey tournament in the Philippines, well there is one – the Manila Ice Hockey League (MIHL), which was formed in 2009.
MIHL is composed of four teams: the Manila Saints, Rocky Mountain Café, the Omni Sharks and The Manila Predators, only all-Filipino team. Games are held on weekends at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink in Pasay City.
The Manila Predators has consistently ranked first in the past regular three season games. Its most recent international feat was winning the championship of the Asian Men B division in Mega Ice Hockey 5 last year, the largest amateur ice hockey tournament in Asia.
“I think there is now a growing appreciation for extreme and unique sports in general. The influx of foreign residents in the Philippines who played ice hockey in their respective countries and are looking to play locally is certainly a good development in bolstering our playing ranks,” observes Deric Cadiz, head coach of The Manila Predators.
BIRTH OF RP ICE HOCKEY
Initially helping Cadiz establish the ice hockey community are expats who, in one way or another, have hockey playing experiences and who share the same passion for the sport.
“In 1995, I was looking for a team sports activity for my boys. They suffered from asthma and allergies, and so I thought of ice hockey. Bill Gow, a British expat, along with like-minded parents formed the Manila Tigers. The idea was to gather interested young players under a more structured hockey training program that wasn’t available at that time and to create teams across the younger age categories and encourage other clubs to be formed for a sustainable competitive young league environment,” explains Cadiz.
Since then, Cadiz has been coaching and managing the Manila Tigers, which eventually became the Manila Predators as a result of the merging in 2002 of two rival clubs, the Manila Tigers and the Manila Typhoons.
“I have been coaching many of these players since they were seven years old. I have seen them grow up as we train every week, traveled with them for competitions, shared with them their triumphs and frustrations, and sometimes their personal issues. They have become more than just players I coach,” relates Cadiz, a former member of the ice hockey non-varsity university league of the University of Michigan.
HOCKEY DAD AND SONS
Making coaching more special for Cadiz is having his sons – Ian, Nico and Javi -- in the team. “I have been coaching my boys since they were five years old. As they age, academics, girlfriends, and work cut into the time available for ice hockey,” he shares.
Like any father, Cadiz would like to see his sons do well. He also tries hard not to show any favoritism when on ice.
“On the contrary, I tend to probably be harder on my sons. I try not to put too much pressure on them. It is an advantage or disadvantage, depends on how you look at it. They tend to be more exposed to my coaching inputs, encouragements, frustrations beyond the ice rink as we sit around the family table,” he says.
THRILLA ON ICE
Despite lacking the mainstream appeal of basketball, boxing, and more recently football, ice hockey has swelled immensely in terms of popularity in the past few years especially when the first and only Olympic-size rink opened in SM Mall of Asia.
Although a larger base of young people are discovering the thrill of the sport, and therefore a larger talent base to build from, the current pool of players is still too small compared with those in other countries. There are around 200 ice hockey players in the Philippines, mostly males, with less than a 100 considered active or registered players. In Canada and the USA, which are among the top five in world ranking, there are almost 600,000 and 500,000 registered players, respectively.
“This is not a country with winter sports history. With such a small pool of players, we don’t have the luxury of choice and screening for talent. We have to make do with whoever wants to play and hopefully elevate their skill level and gel these players into teams. With few players and teams around in Manila to compete with, we have to look abroad for more serious and advanced competition and skills development to keep interest alive and motivation up,” explains Cadiz. “We also hope that SM will take a more active role in ice hockey, which they have done to some extent for figure skating, other than just providing the venue.”
Another challenge is the lack of availability and cost of hockey equipment. “This is not a cheap sport. Everything is imported and kids outgrow and outwear their equipment fast. There are also many distractions to seriously pursuing ice hockey on a sustained basis. We lose players to other more popular and less expensive sports,” he says.
“Ice hockey will not probably be on top of the list of the Philippine Sports Commission as a sport to promote nationally given the size of the active playing population, the cost associated with it, and as an investment in terms of the prospects for quick international medal success on a sustained basis. Thus, it will largely continue to be driven by private sponsors and managers like myself and parents to move the sport ahead,” continues Cadiz.
CAPTAIN PREDATOR
Ice hockey is a difficult sport to learn as it requires a lot of coordination.
“The skill development is pretty hard to start with. Skating, puck handling, shooting, and to avoid running into other players can be difficult, trying do to everything at the same time. It takes a lot of time and commitment. But once you’ve learned these, it is actually very enjoyable and addictive,” says 26-year-old Manila Predators team captain Charles Cambaliza.
It may look like hockey is a purely physical sport but the mental aspect plays a huge part in the game.
“Hockey requires a lot of thinking, creativity and anticipation. Also, I believe skill and natural ability can take you so far. Another part of being a good hockey player is coachability, the ability to absorb what your coaches and peers are trying to teach or relay to you.”
As the winningest team in the Manila Ice Hockey League, the right winger identifies team chemistry as their biggest strength and advantage from the other teams.
“We’re very familiar with how each other plays that there’s not a lot of adjustments when we play. We pretty much just have to anticipate what our teammates are going to do, this is probably due to the fact that we’ve developed great friendships within the team, and we try to hang out after games. We consider each other as family.”
Charles hopes to have an improved youth development program and a national team in the near future.
“Hockey’s development takes a lot of work and support. I believe hockey needs to be greatly recognized as a sport that can be played by Filipinos to get support and to have more competition and experience from other countries. Also a few more rinks around the country so we can have hockey in other developing cities, that way we can have some sort of travel league. I’d like to hear the Philippines be recognized in the world of hockey and to be spoken about along with Canada, U.S., Russia and Czech Republic. Also in the Asian competitions, to be mentioned in the same sentence as Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea would be a huge dream for us in the team,” he ends.
(For those interested in joining the league, visit the team’s Facebook fanpage: The Manila Predators)
Javi Cadiz, center/right wing, 14, student, Ateneo de Manila High School. Playing for nine years
Love at first ice: The sport looked really cool to me when I was younger because I would see my brothers do really impressive tricks and shots.
On balancing school and hockey: Practice has always been short, so it leaves me enough time to do my schoolwork.
Most memorable game: Against the Manila Voyagers where I scored my first goal ever.
Dream for ice hockey: To see hockey to be as famous as football here. My dream is to get more kids into ice hockey because they really love it and not just because it is popular.
Hockey idol: Sidney Crosby because he gives his all in every game, and has done a ton of spectacular things that have given people as much excitement as Gretzky did when he was still playing.
Charles Cambaliza, team captain/right wing, 26, account analyst. Playing for 12 years
Love at first ice: My brother and I would watch hockey on ESPN. I learned the sport at a hockey summer camp. As a kid, who wouldn’t be attracted to the very cool looking hockey equipment?
Worst injury: An ACL tear on my left knee from a knee to knee collision. I’ve had stretched ligaments on my knees and wrists, and a lot of sprains and bruises.
On balancing work and hockey: It fits well with my work schedule and I’m pretty sure my boss would understand if I had to disappear for hockey. It’s just a matter of getting sufficient rest in between.
Most challenging thing about hockey: Hockey is a very fast sport that any mistake you make can equate to a goal scored on your team. Skating, puck handling, shooting, and avoiding running into other players can be difficult. But once you’ve learned these, it is actually very enjoyable and addictive.
Hockey idols: Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames, Dustin Brown of the L.A. Kings and Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers, all captains of their respective teams. Another favorite player is this goalie from the Manila Predators, Paolo Spafford. I heard he’s freakin’ awesome!
Carl Montano, left wing, 28, head coach of Manila Hawks, ice skating instructor. Playing for 19 years
Love at first ice: I grew up in Canada where hockey is a major sport. When I first began my hockey career I was nine years old. I never skated before and knew nothing about hockey.
Worst injury: A mild concussion.
Other hobbies/sports: I also play American Football once a week for the Filipinas Juggernauts in the ABP Tackle Football League.
Most memorable game: In Vancouver for the Killarney Ice Hawks. I was nervous and excited, and clumsy and unsure of my every move.
Dream for ice hockey: There are many great natural athletes with positive attitudes. We would just need the support to discover the hidden talents.
Hockey idol: Pavel Bure “The Russian Rocket”. He is the perfect example that size isn’t everything. Speed, agility and having the knowledge of the game could make any player great.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Never give up and be confident. Ice hockey has a steep learning curve. I have been playing for over 19 years, coaching for three years and I’m still a student of the game.
Kayla Franchesca Herbolario, forward/left wing, 17, 1st year, Digital Filmmaking, College of St. Benilde. Playing for three years. The only girl in the team.
Love at first ice: I got into ice hockey after watching the movie “The Mighty Ducks”. When I saw Connie Moreau, the female character in the film who plays forward, I got inspired to try a sport that was not common to girls. I figured, wouldn’t it be cool to play a winter sport in a tropical country.
Being One of the boys: I have to keep up with boys who are stronger, faster, and bigger than me. That means eating the right food, working out, and training hard.
Worst injury: It was in Hong Kong last 2010, I was retrieving the puck from the boards, one of the players checked me and we both crashed into the boards. My opponents’ stick stabbed into my chest, giving me a difficult time to breathe. I was sent off the game and they took me to a hospital.
On balancing school and ice hockey: Before I go to training or a game, I make sure I finish all my school works first. And there is this rule where I can’t play if I have a failing subject.
Hockey idols: Evgeni Malkin, from the Pittsburgh Penguins for his commitment to the sport, and Manon Rhéaume, the first female to play for the National Hockey League. She became my inspiration to not give up and that girls can also do what boys do.
Ian Cadiz, defense, 23, 2nd year Medical student at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. Playing for 14 years
Love at first ice: Went to the skating rink one day just for fun and saw that they had a hockey program. I was also brainwashed by “The Mighty Ducks”.
Worst injury: Sprained my wrist, fingers, and smashed my elbow a couple of times. But nothing serious. It’s a pretty safe sport, really.
On balancing school and ice hockey: I have had to give up hockey for school on occasions.
Other hobbies/sports: I used to participate in various martial arts in high school and college.
Most memorable game: My first game was fun, and must have been funny to watch as very few of us could move properly on the ice.
Dream for ice hockey: To break free from local politics and perhaps sustain our current momentum and develop further. At the rate we’re going, we’ll probably be winning a lot more internationally.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Train. Play. Have fun. It’s a game after all. Overall, it boils down to attitude. The skills are rather useful, of course, but it’s the player’s attitude that really defines him.
Paolo “Spa” Spafford, goalie, 26, businessman/model, Marketing and Finance graduate, Northwood University, Michigan, USA. Playing for 16 years
Love at first ice: When I left the Philippines for Michigan as a six year-old kid, I first stayed for a month in Toronto and I was mesmerized by the sport while watching it on TV. I told my mom I wanted to change my name to Felix, after Toronto Maple Leafs’ popular goalie named Felix Potvin.
On being a goalie: It can be very stressful as every mistake is magnified. Basketball players can miss a shot, quarterbacks can have a bad throw, but if I let a goal in, my team feels it. I started playing ice hockey in Michigan and the first shot in my first game, I let in. After that, I figured I could not get worse and could only improve.
Worst injury: A fractured finger. I also fractured my nailbed and I had to have my nail removed. Others include sprained ligaments, a shot to the throat, deep bruises on my collarbone and hips, and a gash on my ribs. And did I mention I had to have my nail removed? Gross!
Dream for ice hockey: It would be such an honor to see the Philippines participate in Olympic Hockey.
Hockey idol: Felix “The Cat” Potvin, he was the reason I became a goalie. He looked incredible with all his gear and his painted helmet. I have that paint job on my mask as a tribute to him.
Samuel A. Bengzon, defense, 22, 4th year, Multi-media Arts, College of Saint Benilde. Playing for 10 years
Love at first ice: When I was younger, before I went to bed, all I thought about was playing puck the next day.
Most memorable game: It was in Hong Kong, a couple of years ago. I felt really nervous especially before entering the ice. I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time to play against other guys from different countries. We did pretty well though. We finished 1st runner up!
Icy situation: Playing against more experienced players, especially the ones that have played in higher levels, is probably the most difficult part of the sport. We overcome them through learning from them.
Dream for ice hockey: I dream that one day the Philippines will recognize the sport and the team.
Andre F. Gan, center, 24, businessman. Playing for 16 years
Love at first ice: I was eight years old when I first stepped on the ice. I love the speed of the game and how you need to be tough and rough a bit, but have finesse at the same time.
Worst injury: I fell down during practice and one of my teammates was skating backwards and accidentally stepped on my arm. I had it stitched up and I was back on the ice a week after.
On dealing with frustrations: I think frustration is the most difficult one, especially if you are on the trailing team. It’s in every player to feel frustrated but sometimes you just have to let go of it and focus on the task at hand.
Most memorable game: My first game in Manila during a local league. It was scary. I remembered having too little done on the ice and more sitting on the bench.
Dream for ice hockey: A better future for other people who want to play hockey, and a future for those who already play hockey. Hockey here is more like a hobby. If we want people to like and try the sport, we need other people to help in terms of providing gear for people who wants to start playing hockey.
Hockey idol: Sidney Crosby for his work ethics, he has great vision on the ice, he makes other players in his team good by providing them with great pass and motivating them not by words but by example.
Nico Cadiz, defense, 22, 4th year, AB Management Economics, Ateneo de Manila University. Playing for 14 years
Love at first ice: I fell in love with the sport ever since I first hit the ice. Ice hockey is on my mind 24/7.
Worst injury: Torn ligament in my ankle from a hit from behind. A bad fall a year ago still affects my knee from time to time.
On balancing school and ice hockey: School is always first, but thankfully our scheduled games and practices don’t conflict with my studies very often.
Team’s strengths and weaknesses: Our biggest strength is probably the fact that we’re a pretty close unit. Our biggest weakness is probably how hot headed we get sometimes.
Hockey idols: Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. They play smart hockey through their clean distribution and calmness with the puck, something I try to incorporate in my game.
Advice to aspiring hockey players: Stop aspiring and hit the ice.
www.mb.com.ph/articles/354952/hot-as-ice
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I came across this article mentioning the existence of an ice hockey league in Manila. I was surprised to find out about this, as I didn't know that there were ice hockey rinks over there or that ice hockey was actually being played beyond the recreational level. I have played this sport along with football and basketball growing up but never thought that I would share my passion for this sport and with the NHL with folks back home. It is a unique sport where fighting is allowed at the professional level. Keep it up and I will make sure the next time I visit Manila, I will bring my hockey gear with me.