Vision (Canada)

FROM JAPAN TO ROCKLAND IN THE NAME OF HOCKEY

- FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca

Thomas Odermatt’s love of hockey transporte­d him continents away from his hometown.

Having grown up in Sapporo, Japan, the Canadian Hockey Academy (CIH) student is in his final year of schooling in Rockland. “I hope to play in the American league after I graduate,” he said smiling. “And of course, I hope to play for the NHL. That’s every hockey player’s dream!”

The love of hockey runs deep in the young man’s family. “My dad really got into hockey when he studied pre-med at the University of Boston,” the young man explained. “They really like hockey over there.”

His father brought back his love of hockey to Japan, which left its mark on Thomas and his siblings. “Hockey isn’t too big in Japan,” he said. “It’s a bit more popular where I’m from because it’s in Northern Japan, but it’s still not as big as it is here.”

Thomas has five brothers and two sisters. His oldest brother paved the way for Thomas to make his way to Rockland. “My oldest brother is the first one to have attended CIH,” he said. “Then I decided to come too.”

His oldest brother currently plays in the American Hockey League. Two of his younger brothers are also learning between the walls of the CIH.

“My father never played hockey,” he started, “but he always loved to watch it.”

When asked who his favorite player is, Thomas quickly points to T.J Oshie and Austin Matthews. “I like Oshie because he’s an all around player,” the student said. “He’s also physical. I like Matthews because, well, he’s Matthews!”

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 ?? —photo Francis Racine ?? Thomas Odermatt, un étudiant de l’Académie canadienne de hockey située à Rockland, en est à sa dernière année d’étude. Originaire de Sapporo, au Japon, le jeune homme espère joindre la Ligue de hockey américaine et ensuite la Ligue nationale de hockey.
—photo Francis Racine Thomas Odermatt, un étudiant de l’Académie canadienne de hockey située à Rockland, en est à sa dernière année d’étude. Originaire de Sapporo, au Japon, le jeune homme espère joindre la Ligue de hockey américaine et ensuite la Ligue nationale de hockey.

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