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Swedish Fish

By Paul Evans, 10/11/16, 10:15AM EDT

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South Indy Shark experiences hockey Scandinavian style

INDIANAPOLIS – When Paul Kobylarz linked up with the South Indy Sharks, a world of possibilities opened — literally.  Away from the game for a few years, Kobylarz was thrilled to get back to on the ice.  Work with young players is more than just a passion for him.  It has been his mission for over twenty years since his pro hockey career ended and he began Sport For Life, a series of Christian sports camps in Sweden that are still going strong.

In Kobylarz, the Sharks found an experience hockey mind with a heart for kids and desire to help grow the game the right way.  As the Executive Director of The Gathering Place in Greenwood, Kobylarz was not only eager to share his hockey experience but the other amenities he had access to as well.  Along with South Indy president Jeremy Kuntz, Kobylarz and coach Paul Evans began working through ways that The Gathering Place could further the development of the young Sharks in both hockey and life.

Kobylarz joined the Sharks a few times last season and is planning to be more involved this year as his schedule allows.  He has been working with Evans during the Pre-Season Training program and helping the kids develop their stickhandling skills.  Off-ice training at The Gathering Place will also serve as a supplement to player development in all facets of the the game.  Yet there are even bigger plans in the works.

Evans and Kobylarz traveled to Sweden this summer and took part in two Sport For Life hockey camps in Rӧnnӓng and Jӧnkӧping.  Along with Evans’ wife, Angela, the trio spent a week experiencing the hockey and culture of this beautiful country.  Despite all the differences, what struck Evans the most was the similarities.  “It was amusing to watch the kids at practice, at meals, and especially during their free time… laughing, goofing off, playing games (including Pokemon Go).  They’re no different than the kids back in Indiana. They were so much fun to be around.”

Communication wasn’t much of an issue, as most of the adults spoke English.  Even the players understood enough to get by.  “You had to speak slow enough for the kids to keep up, but it was easy to talk with them as long as you didn’t use too much slang.  When it came to talking hockey, there was no language barrier,” Evans said.  “It was great getting to know the adults too.  They’re all just warm, beautiful people.”

Plans are in the works to offer summer hockey camps through the South Indy / Gathering Place partnership, and the potential for some form of “hockey exchange program” has been discussed.  “We would have to see how much interest there is and what the cost would be,” stated Evans.  “Being able to bring some kids and coaches to Sweden, and some of them over here, would be an amazing experience for everyone involved.”

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Interesting in becoming involved in this program as a sponsor or participant?  Contact Paul Evans via email at paul@inhockey.net.