Economic Woes Affect Hockey in Greece

The economic crisis in Greece has affected many facet of the society, including hockey.

The following is an email interview with Hellenic National Team captain Dimitris Kalyvas about the history of ice hockey in the southeastern European country and the lack of financial support for the Greek teams.

Sports dates back to ancient Greek civilization with the Olympics, and sports synonymous with Greece include boxing, wrestling, pankration, chariot racing, running events, pentathlon, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw—none of which are winter sports. How were players able to import ice hockey in 1984 and within a year have five teams? How popular is ice hockey in Greece? How many teams does the country have today?
Well back in the mid to late 1980s, many [hyphenated Greeks] moved back to Greece: Greeks from Czechoslovakia, Russia and Canada. Luckily there was an ice rink in Athens and Thesaloniki at that time and many started to play. A federation was created and a few guys with leadership qualities decided to organize all this. The rest is history. Unfortunately, ice hockey is not popular in Greece at the moment. The recent successes have not be promoted from the Federation. I can’t understand why, but for some reason they try to bury any success that the National Team achieves. Today we have nine mens teams and two [womens] teams in Greece. Despite having problems with the ice rink, the teams try to stay organized.

With the current economic conditions in Greece, what challenges have the teams encountered?
The current economic conditions might put an end to Greek Ice Hockey. Teams don’t have income and therefore all expenses pass over to the players. Many players don’t have the ability to pay for this expensive sport and therefore quit. This same thing happened four years ago when only 25 players were actually playing ice hockey, traveling to Czech Republic for ice training. These same guys become the National Team. After the team’s success the number of teams playing ice hockey went from one to 11. So if we take history as a blueprint, then most likely the number of teams will decrease rapidly.

Why did the Greek Undersecretary of State for Sports discontinue financial support to the teams in 1993, and why has the Undersecretary not reinstated the support?
It will sound stupid, but due to political reasons. Funds stopped when PASOK won the elections back in 1993 and were reinstalled in 2004 (when NewDemocracy won again). The Federation’s president is a NewDemocracy follower.

Right now PASOK won again and using the financial problems of the country have again stopped all funds. Like I said, it sounds stupid, but this is the only reason!

In May 2003, the last remaining ice rink in Greece closed. Why have the rinks closed? Where do the teams practice without a permanent arena and will one be built?
The rink closed because the lease ended and the owner of the land wanted it for more profitable use. Every summer we hope that an ice rink opens in September. So far, with the National Team [participating[ in the Worlds, an ice rink opens every year. Not permanent of course, but it does the job. To be honest, I do not believe that a permanent ice rink will open any time soon.

Ted Leonsis is a prominent Greek-American businessman that owns NHL team, the Washington Capitals. In your opinion, what contributions has his ethnic background made in the sport of ice hockey and has he provided any support to Greek teams?
I have tried to get in contact with many Greeks back in Canada and the States, but unfortunately with no success. Their contribution is close to none. Unfortunately, they don’t understand the rules of the IIHF that say: It is the objective of the IIHF that national teams competing in IIHF championships shall reflect the status and standard of the sport as currently played by citizens of and in the country concerned and to protect the integrity of international competition.

Greeks from Canada and the States believe that the IIHF works like the NHL and always try to take the Greek Ice Hockey program to North America. I know there are many Greeks in Canada and the States that play great ice hockey. A lot better than the ones here. But, the IIHF wants the countries to build hockey IN their country and not abroad. Like I said, many Greeks in North America don’t understand this and therefore cause more harm than good. Like in 1996 when Greek Ice Hockey got a two-year ban for using non-eligible players (Greeks from Canada). I would like the wealthy Greeks to help by building a permanent ice rink in Greece. Like the Israel-Canadians that have built the “Canada Center”in Israel. This is the only way they can actually help. With an ice rink, ice hockey in Greece will develop in the right way. And who knows, a professional league might be created for all the Greeks in Canada and the States that want to move to Greece.

Burt Impressive at Capitals Development Camp

It has been over a month since the 2010 Capitals Development Camp, but one unforgettable skater is invitee Cameron Burt.

The number of black players in the NHL is on the rise and making their presence known, including Burt. Burt definitely made his presence known (for being an excellent skater and the only black player on the ice) and left a lasting impression at development camp.

Capitals scouts are always on the lookout for talented undrafted free agents who might be good candidates to invite, and Burt was one of almost 20 free agent invitees at this year’s camp.

The 23-year-old Detroit native arrived at Kettler as an invitee full of potential. During the drills at camp, fans took note that Burt is a powerful skater that has speed and tenacity. Capitals fan Doug Benskin observed, “I noted that Burt’s skating skills were good and that he was always hustling.”

When asked his thoughts on Burt, coach Bruce Boudreau remarked, “Cameron Burt: speedy guy. You can tell he put up good numbers because he’s got a great work ethic.” At RIT, in 40 games, the forward posted 16-31-47, with 48 penalty minutes.

As for the potential in seeing Burt in a Capitals sweater, “I would have to see more of him,” said the Capitals coach. “Talking to him here he is a nice young man. I think he’s going to work hard to get wherever he has to be, but I think he led his team in scoring and he can skate. All those things are great traits.”

Benskin watched Burt throughout camp and thinks he has a chance at the NHL: “[I]t’s great to see some true minority candidates being given a shot. I like the fact the NHL now has many more minorities than they once did. Since DC is such a cosmopolitan town, why not try to add a minority to our roster? It sure doesn’t hurt.”

In an interview at camp, Burt clues Love the Game in on camp and his career in hockey:

How is development camp going for you so far?
It’s really good. It’s a really good experience. It’s my first one, and just being one of the older guys I’m trying to fall in line and take some advice and notes from guys that have been here before. I’m just really taking it in all in stride and trying to learn and get better as a player.

Did you come into development camp with any kind of expectations: the type of things you needed to work on, what you need to do to stay on top and be seen?
Not really expectations. I knew what I had to do as a player to come in and get seen, and just stay true to my game. When I got here I told myself that … I was going to be like a sponge, anything I could absorb and learn about the game I would and I’d add that to my game to make me an overall player.

How long have you been playing?
I’ve been playing for 16 years.

I understand that you are from Detroit, right, and you’ve been playing there.
Yeah.

How did you get you get into hockey?
Just one day I was riding in the car with my dad, and he asked me what I wanted to do. I watched the Red Wings game earlier that week and I told him that I wanted to play. He kind of laughed it off like I was joking, but I told him I was serious so we went to get some gear later on that day and he took me to sign up at the local rink in Detroit. I’ve been playing ever since.

Did you play both defense and forward?
Yeah. I played defense in junior hockey for about 2½ years and then my last half year I played forward. Then I went to college and play forward.

What’s it been like being a kid from Detroit—a black kid—playing hockey?
It’s really been a dream come true. It’s opened up so many different doors for me to go to so many different places and meet so many different people. I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities through hockey so I’m just really embracing it and thankful for all it’s done for me.

But did you ever have any doors close for you, someone looking at you [thinking] “can this black kid really play hockey”?
Yeah, you get that pretty much wherever I go, but I take it as another challenge and prove to them that I can do just as good as anybody else out there regardless of my color. So I just go out there and play my game. If they like me for who I am as a player then good if not then somebody else will.

You’re in school. I understand that that you’re a business…
Business major

At one point when you were asked where do you see yourself in 10 years, you said a financial analyst, but then last year it changed. You responded that you wanted to be a hockey player.
I think it’s every hockey player’s dream to be in the NHL, but you got to have a backup plan. Education is my main focus in school and hockey is just a bonus. I am a student-athlete, student first. I concentrate on my work and try to get my degree and then I go play hard on the ice.

How has that been for you, being a student-athlete, to balance both your education as well as being able to play?
I think it’s been great for me. I’ve learned a lot of skills: how to multi-task a lot, how to switch gears from the work environment to the kind of play environment, but not so much play. I’ve had a great time with it. It’s been a really good ride for me.

Have you mentored other black youth to help them with their hockey?
I have. I go back [to Detroit] every summer and I go to help with clinics. I meet up with a lot of people who I played with and a lot of parents that I’ve known who have younger players. I go and talk to them. Any chance I get to go out into the community, I enjoy and I really love giving back because if it wasn’t for my community I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Tell me about your tattoo. I understand that at Christmas you got a very special tattoo.
(laughs) I got a tattoo on my left shoulder. It’s an old English “D” with a crown on top that says “king of my city.” It kind of wanted that something to represent my city, but it was kind of a spur of the moment thing when I went home for Christmas break.

What did Mom and Dad say about it?
You know after I got my first one they really stopped caring as long as I can cover it when I go into the business world.

Photos credit: Stewart W. Small