On Tuesday 4 July, Adrenaline head coach Sami Mantere shared a fantastic reflection on Facebook about hockey in South Australia. 

We loved it so much we thought we'd give it a share on our website. Here is the big man himself, Sami Mantere, and what he shared with the world...

He began by sharing the below photo...

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At break from work and thought I'd write another hockey post. This was inspired by the photos we were taking after my practice last night for possibly to be in a Finnish Newspaper next week. Quite a few name drops in this hopefully not too long post that nobody will finish reading. Apologies if I have missed anyone, you know who you are and if you deserve the recognition whether I forget or not.

I still get many people from Finland and North America ask, "why are you coaching hockey in Australia?" Quite often I can't really answer other than I've been involved in this game since I was around 3 years old and still enjoy it. Anyone that knows me and my stance on some of the issues with hockey down under knows that it can be pretty frustrating at times, most of the time. But looking at this photo last night as I was leaving the rink after another long day I realised this photo represent everything that pushes me to stay involved.

I make no secret that the pathways and opportunities for the dedicated junior players is my absolute priority in hockey.

I started coaching in 2008 and still remember a 7-8 year old Jake Riley spending evey second possible on the ice, just loving skating. Fast forward 9 years and that kid is a double world champion, youth olympian and a regular Adelaide Adrenaline player since the age of 16. In 2009 I was lucky to be introduced to guys like Remy and Marcel McGuiness, Zach Boyle, Ryan Foll and Teb Fabijan.

This leads me to my favourite hockey moment ever, including playing in Finland. 

This came in 2009 when I played for Adelaide Adrenaline. These kids were screaming my name from the stands (because I told them we'd skate in the next practice if they didn't) and I scored a goal. After the goal I jumped the boards to try and celebrate the goal with these guys.

I've been lucky that I have had a chance to do something most coaches can't do with their players: Play in the same team with the players you've spent so much time with. Ryan, Zach and Ted I've played with in different state tournaments and Marcel and Remy I've been lucky enough to not only play state with but also in the club level winning a few A-Grade (or do I now have to call them Premier League) championships. It's been an absolute pleasure to have a chance to share the ice with these guys, and even if I get grumpy when they outplay me, that's a great feeling. All these guys have played for Australia and are Adrenaline regulars before turning 20! Marcel was also one of the world championships top scorers last year.

And at around 2010 I got to know the Chen's and started working with Andrew. Andrew has also won 2 world championship at 17 years of age but also won a scholarship to play hockey in Canada. What an achievement, getting to play hockey, study and experience Canada because you have worked hard!

Then the next few years we've had another Chen, Daniel, Jordy Geyer, Patrick Jeffs, Charlie Wragg, Seb Woodlands and this is where I apologise for anyone that I have missed in this group, just got limited amount of time before I have to get back to work. These guys are already challenging for spots in the Adrenaline team and won't take long until they do take the next step or two!

Then we've got the next generation of players that gave themselves the nickname Sami's hockey boys. Looking at this group of guys, Nathaniel Benson (16), Ben Handberg and Zach Steele and Jeremy Friederich(15) just played in the U-18 National Championships and played great. Even being 3 or 4 years younger than most players, these guys were great, really stepped up! And whenever these guys have played in their own age group, they have shown that they are as good or better as the best of the country. Daniel Chen is up there as well as one of the guys who has been around quite a while despite the young age and will be at this level in no time. I guarantee all of these guys will represent Australia at some level in the next 3-4 years.

Then we've got the next group of younger guys like Tyler Boyle, Patryk Gasiorowski, Chris Campbell, Julian Friederich, James Williams, who have been around for some time now and showing the dedication to work hard to achieve in hockey. That's all we can ask at this age. Zach Mirfin, Amelia Knott and Tegan are the babies of the group and haven't been training for long but they remind me of Jake 9 years ago. I still maintain I can not make anyone a good or great hockey player, they will have to do it themselves but I think I am able to help them on their way and I am proud of the fact that we've been able to have a great success rate.

After this season we're 'winning' quite a few of these guys to Canada where they will go and chase their dreams. I refuse to use the word 'lose' (hence why I say winning a few guys') here as this is nothing but a positive situation. I would love to give these guys to get a chance to go to Finland as well so if any of my Facebook hockey people think of way to help out, I am all ears. Maybe one day one of these guys will play for Jokerit in Helsinki!

So... These guys are the reason why I am coaching hockey in Australia and dealing with the "obstacles that come with it." Also, I wanted to give these fellas a bit of name recognition. So if you read this post all the way, thank you!

For the Adrenaline...the future is coming....

We just need to be patient.