Masters Update - June 18, 2013

Hello everyone,

Todd Lewis here, and I am one of the 21 players that proudly makes up Team USA's Masters Hockey Team in the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel.  We no doubt have a great group of guys that has been assembled to represent our country and battle for the gold medal against national teams from Canada, Russia, and Israel.  In terms of the geographical composition of our team, we have guys that hail from 11 different states, which include the following:

Pennsylvania - 5

New York - 4

Illinois - 4 (including Head Coach)

Florida - 3

Arizona - 1

California - 1

Connecticut - 1

Indiana - 1

Maryland - 1

Massachusetts - 1

At this point, we have come together as a group several times.  Our first gathering was a training camp in Philadelphia back in March with a subsequent trip back to Philadelphia in April to play an exhibition game at the Wells Fargo Center just after the Flyers-Rangers game.  Both occasions have been great bonding opportunities for players and coaches to get to know one another on and off the ice.  Furthermore, the team is preparing to head to South Bend, Indiana, this weekend, for one final training camp before we leave for Israel in a few weeks to officially commence our quest to bring the gold back to the U.S.

There is an anticipation and build up of excitement amongst the team to pull on that USA jersey and represent our country in a sport that we collectively have an extreme passion for.  There is no doubt that this will be one incredible, unique experience in which we will all remember for the rest of our lives. 

On behalf of our entire Masters team, we wish the best of luck to the other two USA hockey teams - Juniors and Open - as well as all other USA teams & athletes vying in their own quest for gold at the 2013 Maccabiah Games!  Check back here for updates on the progress of our pre-tournament training and the tournament itself.  Thanks for checking in!