The Gustavus women's hockey team touring Bolzano, Italy.
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s hockey team spent the 2016-17 holiday break on a European tour through Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
Gustie women pose with players from the Italian U18 National Team in Varese, Italy.
Over an eight-day span from Dec. 25-Jan. 2, the Gustavus women toured various cities and played several exhibition games. The Gusties played friendly games against two local hockey club teams as well as the Italian U18 National Team.
“In the games that we played, it gave a different vibe to the team and a different perspective in the fact that we were able to roll all five lines, play all seven defenseman, and all three goalies an equal amount,” said Assistant Coach Courtney Boucher. “It gave the kids who don’t always have playing time a chance to see what playing a constant shift is like. The kids didn’t have the pressure of the games having something at stake. It was more of a fun, “pond hockey” essence to go out and try to be creative.”
Cities visited included:
- Kitzbuhel, Austria
- Bolzano, Italy
- Como, Italy
- Milan, Italy
- Varese, Italy
- Zurich, Switzerland
Gustavus players skated in an exhibition with both the Gusties and team from Kitzbuhel, Austria.
“It was a really good opportunity to bond as a team when you’re with each other for eight days. It was cool to be exploring different cultures together,” Boucher commented.
Upon returning home, the Gusties now prepare for a non-conference matchup against St. Norbert College Saturday afternoon at Don Roberts Ice Rink.