Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 January (BelTA) – Belarus has impressed us with good ice arenas and hospitality, Paul Clatney, a member of Team Canada at the Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament for the Prizes of the President of Belarus, said in an interview with BelTA.

It was the first time Paul Clatney took part in the Christmas tournament. “This is my first visit to Belarus. I can say that Belarusians are beautiful and kind people who help me feel at home. Several days that we will spend here is a short time. In the first days of the tournament we had a very busy schedule. I hope that now we will have more free time to see Minsk,” Paul Clatney said.

The player praised the organizational level of the event. “I liked the Minsk Ice Palace where we played other teams. The arena is European-size. Playing there took us much more energy than usual. Young Fins were faster and I think I need to work out more. Overall it was fun playing on the Belarusian ice,” he added.

He also said he would like to visit Minsk during the 2014 IIHF World Championship in the Belarusian capital on 9-25 May. “I would be happy to come back here if my work schedule allows. I made some good friends here. So I will always be happy to come back,” he said.

At the 10^th Christmas Amateur Ice Hockey Tournament Team Canada played in Group C together with teams from Finland, Sweden, and Ukraine.

Belarus won the Christmas Tournament in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Russia became the winner of the tournament in 2007 and 2011 by defeating Team Belarus in the finals.

Among the organizers of the tournament are the Belarusian Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the Minsk City Council, the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation, and the Presidential Sports Club. The partners of the tournament are the companies Velcom, Belaruskali and Priorbank. The Belarusian TV and Radio Broadcasting Company is the media sponsor of the event.