Drake Manning Almeida and Evan Barbosa have been passionate about the sport of hockey since they were kids.
During the summer, when there was no ice, they honed their skills by playing street hockey, never expecting to make history.
Almeida and Barbosa recently returned home after leading the U.S. U18 National Ball Hockey Team to a silver medal at the 2024 ISBHF Ball Hockey World Junior Championship in Zilina, Slovakia, one of three teams from the U.S. organization to advance this far.
“One of our goals was to win the gold medal,” Almeida said. “Last year we came in fourth and didn't even win a medal, but this year we won the silver medal. I'm very happy.”
The U.S. Under-18 team won against Switzerland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, England and Canada, posting a perfect 5-0 record heading into the final against Canada, where they got their revenge with a 5-1 victory.
“The results were lower than expected and fell short,” Barbosa said, “but it feels great just to have made it this far.”
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Head coach Eddie Costa founded the South Coast Ball Hockey Association six years ago. It was originally a touring team called the Spindle City Warriors. Costa saved up money and bought a court with a rink to play games in Swansea. He says the journey to the finals started a season ago.
“We worked really hard this past year,” said the 37-year-old Fall River native. “We trained together for a year, did camps in different places around the country – Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tiverton. I think (Silver) is better than nothing. We had high aspirations.”
The team's makeup comes from across the Northeast, with most of the 20-man roster hailing from New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Buffalo, with Costa also scouting players from Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
“The best players in the country come from the Northeast,” said Costa, who coaches with assistant coach Tony Carreiro, also a Fall River native. “It's been a great experience.”
Local stars shine
Almeida, a Somerset native, was the U.S.'s leading scorer with nine points in six games. He was named the tournament's best forward. Barbosa, a Swansea native, is a stalwart defensive player for the U.S. national team. He recorded an assist in the win over Switzerland.
“They're both high-level hockey players,” Costa, a Berkeley resident, said. “They've both been playing hockey since they were little and have worked really hard the last two years and really stepped up. (Drake) is a really good player, he's got speed and athleticism and is in the top five in the world under 18. They're probably the best hockey players in the country.”
When asked about the greatest experience of their lives abroad, both Almeida, 17, and Barbosa, 17, were ecstatic.
“It was fantastic,” Almeida said. “I went to Czechoslovakia last year and Slovakia was just as good, if not better. Of course it was a great experience. My family loved it and I think they had a great time watching the games and exploring the city. It definitely ranks high.”
Barbosa added, “For me, it was the best experience I've ever been a part of. The kids and coaching staff were just amazing. I had the time of my life. It was fun to get away and see a different side of life. I realize living in America, you take things for granted.”
Favorite food
In addition to touring other countries, the U.S. team also toured a variety of restaurants. Almeida and Barbosa each had different impressions and compared the food in their home countries.
“I would actually say the food was better because it was more authentic,” Almeida said. “It had better flavor. We went to a lot of different American-style places. My favorite was the chicken broccoli Alfredo.”
“Honestly, that McDonald's was really good,” Barbosa said. “It was so much better than the McDonald's I grew up with. I'm not a picky eater, but a lot of the food just didn't look or look good. I was always left unsatisfied when I went to McDonald's.”
Almeida and Barbosa's trip ended on Sunday after a memorable and fulfilling week. Almeida is a third grade student at Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Barbosa is a fourth grade student at La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island.
Both hope that one day ball hockey will make it to the Olympic stage.
“At the end of the day, the bond you make with the kids is priceless,” Costa said. “The bond is what matters more than anything. That's what makes this game so special. That's why we want to win.”
Herald-News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com and can be followed on Twitter at @Chezsports.
