More snow fell in attendance at the IIHF Women's World Championship on Thursday, but the crowd didn't seem to mind.
After all, many people traveled hours by car or plane to watch the competition.
Utica is already known for its diverse population, but the next 10 days will create a “global community,” said Christopher Pecione, a special education teacher at Kernan Elementary School.
“Although this city is already home to many ethnic groups, being exposed to additional nationalities and languages is a healthy experience for all of us,” he stressed.
airplanes, trains, cars
Surprisingly, Mohawk Valley Gardens President Rob Esche said he found this weather debacle a relief. “It shows how great the area we live in is. Even though it was windy, rainy and snowy, everyone has come together,” he said.
The overwhelming comment Esch heard from “out-of-towners” was how friendly the local community is.
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Spectator Alicia Brooks said she drove her RV all the way from Los Angeles, California, even though she was smiling despite the wind.
“I had never heard of Utica before the event,” Brooks said. “But it didn't matter. Assuming next year's championship was overseas, I thought it would be better to drive instead of fly.”
Marianne Oksberg, mother of Denmark women's national team player Julie Oksberg, boarded the plane on March 26 with a crew of 12 family members, including cousins, aunts and uncles.
When I asked how long the trip was, she said “too long.”
Our flight was delayed by six hours, she sighed. But soon her expression changed.
“Julie has been playing hockey since she could walk,'' Marianne said, her eyes sparkling as she spun around to show off her daughter's jersey. “We're all so proud of her. Being in her hockey family isn't easy, but we wouldn't trade it for the world.”
From a coaching perspective
Denmark's head coach Viorne Edlund has led the team for the past two years. This is the third world championship held under his tenure, but the first to bring him to the United States.
Edlund began working as an assistant coach for a Swedish women's hockey club. Ten years later, he was promoted to head coach of the senior team and general manager of the women's program.
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“I grew up in northern Sweden, where it snows a lot,” Edlund recalls. “When we first came to Utica, there was a smell of spring in the air – mud, flowers, it was so nice. Then things took a turn for the better. But it’s okay. Our team I’m used to the weather.”
Edlund added that the northern lights come to Denmark every winter.
“With the solar eclipse approaching, it feels like home again…the star show,” he smiled.
Asked about the atmosphere in the locker room, Edlund said the players are “focused but happy to be here.” As a leader, he values bonding outside of the rink and recently took his team to Destiny Mall in Syracuse.
speak at the top
In the VIP lounge, Esch surveyed the early stages of the tournament, noting steady attendance. Team USA's remaining games are already sold out, and Alexandra K's opening performance at the Subaru World Championship Village was “full house,” he said.
“It was incredible to watch all the countries play,” Esch added. “The China-Japan game went into overtime and we were all in a precarious situation. It's like watching the World Cup. You get invested in different teams. Sure, you're going to root for Team USA. But you get to understand all the skills on the ice.”
Esch said the staff stays late every night to hold breakout sessions to discuss what went well and where there is room for improvement.
“Last night, we left around 1 a.m.,” Esch said. “But the good thing about long tournaments is that you can keep getting better and better. The goal is to give the audience the best experience possible.”
