Pro hockey dreams live on: Ex-Tigers playing in Europe

Former Tigers expected to play in Europe

Andy Canzanello, defenseman – 2004 graduate had 31 points (25 assists) in 55 games in third year with Straubing Tigers (Germany)

Noah Clarke, left wing – Bounced from Switzerland and the Czech Republic during 2009-10 season before signing with Augsburger in Germany on July 16.

Braydon Cox, wing – 2007 graduate was No. 2 in scoring for Klostersee (Germany) with 54 points (31 assists) in 31 games.

Joe Cullen, forward – 2003 graduate was leading scorer for Cortina (Italy) with 46 points (27 assists) in 39 games

Calvin Elfring, defenseman – 1998 graduate recorded 23 points (15 assists) in 51 games for Straubing.

Paul Manning, defenseman – 2001 graduate recorded 14 points (10 assists) in 39 games with Hamburg Freezers (Germany) before injury.

Justin Morrison, forward – Scoring leader for Finland’s Lukko (51 points, 33 assists, 50 games). Lee Sweatt’s team, TPS, defeated the 2001 alumnus’ team in league playoffs.

Brian Salcido, defenseman - Now headed to Czech league after struggling in AHL this past season.

Peter Sejna, wing – He had 34 points (17 goals) in 38 games with Lions Zurich (Switzerland) in third year in Europe. He spent three seasons bouncing between the AHL and the St. Louis Blues in five years in North America after graduating from CC in 2004.

Marty Sertich, forward – Most recent concussion shortened final season in AHL’s Lake Erie and played a role in move overseas to Switzerland.

Scott Thauwald, wing --  2007 graduate signed with Njimege Devils of Holland this summer after recording 19 points in 56 games in the CHL.

Eric Walsky, right wing – Went to Switzerland (Geneva) after 37 games in AHL and 14 games with ECHL’s Salmon Kings in first full pro season.

Recruiting in Europe

With Colorado College using the bigger Olympic ice sheet as home ice, it would seem natural to have more European-born players on the Tigers. But there have been only six who listed a European city as their hometown, including 2002-03 Hobey Baker Award winner Peter Sejna of Slovakia and current forward Scott Winkler of Asker, Norway.

There are a number of reasons why, Tigers coach Scott Owens explained. A tough college gets even more difficult when you’re taking classes in a second language while a large number of high-caliber younger Europeans go pro early.

"They get them at a very young age,” Owens said. “You have to set up a whole network and recruiting can be very tough. Where would we get the money for (recruiting) trips there?”

A number of Europeans go to the United States Hockey League, where they can improve their English, get used to the American lifestyle and North American style of play. If there are more Europeans coming to CC, it will likely be through the junior leagues, where Owens and his coaching staff often find their recruits.

“We’ll keep our eyes and ears open,” Owens said.

MAIN STORY 

An American child’s dream destinations don’t often include Latvia or Finland. But for former Colorado College defenseman Lee Sweatt, beginning his pro hockey career overseas was the best way to attain that most elusive dream: playing in the NHL.

The 2007 graduate used his time in Finland, Austria, Latvia and Finland again to improve his offensive skills to the point that a smaller blue-liner (5-foot-8, 194 pounds) garnered the attention of the Vancouver Canucks. He signed a contract with the organization this summer and looks to have a good chance of making the NHL roster.

He can thank his time in Europe where 12 former Tigers are likely to play this 2010-11 season either working to return for a shot at the NHL or a chance to play hockey abroad.

“Absolutely,” Sweatt said. “As a defenseman, and a smaller defenseman at that, I did well at CC but I did not have the final year I needed to get a standard two-way deal into the NHL like my younger brother (Bill) will get. For an unproven and undrafted offensive defenseman, it didn’t make a lot of sense to go into an organization where there are a lot of guys ahead of you.”

Heading to Europe gave Sweatt and other former Tigers, a chance to improve or show off their offensive skills honed playing on a larger sheet in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

“I think their big sheet game translates well,” said Tigers coach Scott Owens, a 1979 graduate who played professionally in Germany. “They are bright kids looking for adventure and a chance to see the world a little.”

“It certainly does,” help having played on the bigger sheet said 2009 graduate Eric Walsky, who signed with Geneva-Servette in June. He has dual Swiss and American citizenship through his mother. “We became accustomed to having the space so it’s easier to adjust. The WCHA suits that style of play and CC loves good skaters. Hopefully it will work out well for me.”

That’s why 2004-05 Hobey Baker Award winner Marty Sertich will play for Olten in Switzerland this season. He decided to make the move after two injury-marred seasons with the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters, an Avalanche affiliate.

The rough North American style makes it difficult for a smaller player like 2006 graduate Sertich (5-8, 165). The larger sheet and less physical style of the Swiss league should help, he said. He contacted 2002-03 Hobey winner Peter Sejna, who has played three years in Zurich, for advice before making the move.

“A player like Marty Sertich with his skills will do very well in Europe,” said former Tiger Noah Clarke, who signed with Augsburger of the German league July 16.

The 2003 graduate knows firsthand that picking the right league is important. The German league, which has the most North Americans of any European league, is most like the NHL with its more physical style. Other leagues, such as Finland and Switzerland, emphasize wide-open offenses more. That’s why Clarke chose Germany after struggling in Switzerland and the Czech Republic in 2009-10.

“The (German) coach knew me from before so he brought me in,” Clarke said. “It’s more my style with more room and less contact (than North America) but more physical play than other leagues. Hopefully I can find my groove somewhere in the middle.”

Extending your playing career is only one factor in choosing Europe, some said. As Clarke, now 31, approached 30, his window of opportunity back into the NHL was closing. Instead of grinding out a career on long bus trips in the AHL, he chose Europe.

“I was getting sick of waiting,” Clarke said.

The money usually isn’t better than the NHL but can be more lucrative than the AHL, Clarke said. In Switzerland, tax exemptions for foreign residents help.

Foreign players can be treated like stars with most leagues limiting the number of imports allowed per team. Some European teams often get you an apartment and provide a car, Clarke said.

“Imports are treated as top players and are given all the opportunities and chances to succeed,” Sweatt said. “They don’t see you as a third-line defenseman or fourth-line forward. You have to be the top guy whether it is quarterbacking the power play like I did, or as a top forward. You get a lot of experience making the transition from college to the pros.”

While Europe remains a good option for some former Tigers, the lure of the big time of the NHL remains strong for all interviewed.

Sweatt played in the better-paying Kontinental Hockey League when he played in Riga. The overmatched team struggled against the high-powered offensive teams in the league, which includes players like Jaromir Jagr, so his role did not match his goals.

“As an offensive defenseman I have to play on a team that allows me to be creative with the puck,” he said. “They were very defense oriented. The coach told me once that it was better to ice the puck instead of making a play. It was good money and everything, but it wasn’t what I needed to get to the NHL.”

Getting there remains a dream that dies hard whether at the beginning or toward the end of a career.

“Improving is one of the biggest reasons to go,” Walsky said. “It’s not a given that you might be able to come back but I’d definitely consider it.”

“I would still jump at the chance to play in the NHL if they came calling,” Clarke said. “But I’m content to keep playing in Europe and finish out my career there. I know I’m having fun over there.”