History of the Ohio Exchange
Forty-seven years ago a team from Kent Ohio was playing a tournament in Stratford on their way home when Mother Nature unleashed a blizzard upon the region that not only shut down local businesses and highways’ but made the journey back to Ohio impossible. With no other options’ the friendly families in Embro opened their doors and their hearts by taking families into their homes to seek shelter from the elements. The Weekend was an experience that was talked about for months that followed. Many of the families remained in contact with their new friends from Ohio well beyond the completion of the hockey season. The next hockey season brought an invitation from the Cyclones organization to Embro to continue the relationship by opening doors for a visit from Embro. Since 1977, our organizations have taken turns making the 6 hour journey across the border to share in the common love for the game of hockey and a friendship with new friends from a different country. The true joy in this event is “billeting” of the young hockey players. The annual weekend includes games played by players ranging from 7 years of age and up to 14 years of age and also includes a spirited coach’s game. The weekend concludes on Sunday with a presentation of the respective countries flags and an on ice closing ceremony.
The Experience is a Lifetime Memory for all those involved.