Two cities and club teams in the prestigious Swiss Ball Hockey league have hired two more Canadian players to play in its premier league this season. With two more Pro-players being signed this strong relationship between the CBHA and Swiss Ball Hockey continues to grow adding to the ball hockey programs of these cornerstone hockey nations. This union provides young CBHA players to enjoy the experience of living in beautiful Switzerland and its hockey mad citizens, while playing the sport at a high performance level.
Team Canada National team captain, Sandro Morello has been signed to play for the Seirre Lions. This historic team of Swiss ball hockey resides in beautiful mountain city of Seirre. Morello is familiar with this area having captained Canada to victory in Seirre in 2003. Morello is an industrious two way player in the mold of a Stevie Yzerman, with great skill and determination on the floor and great leadership off it. He will add much to this franchise and plans to move his family with him. Seirre team management is thrilled to have garnered one of the most decorated players in the history of ball hockey. He will bring his 7 CBHA National tittles and 4 ISBHF World tittles into the realm of the club team. And the Lions are thrilled to have him
SHC Belp has come to a contractual agreement with a CBHA player for the second year in a row. Following in the footsteps of Nistas, Belpa has signed a top new CBHA talent. They have come to an agreement with the speedy and precocious talent of Brant Cook of Winnipeg, Manitoba. This game breaker will bring one of the fastest pairs of legs combined with great offensive skill to the arsenal of SHC Belp. Cook has been a All-Star at the last two National championships. This also signals a major achievement for the ever improving program that is being built in the province of Manitoba. Belpa hopes the Cook can bring them to the Swiss championship.
Both these players have been chosen to play for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships in the Czech Republic in June of 2009. Coach George Gortsos is thrilled that two key members of his National team will be playing in the Swiss league stating, Morello and Cook will be playing on very good teams with the mandate to represent Canadain Ball Hockey, and lead their teams in the finals against each other.
Naturally the highly competitive Swiss league will provide a great preparation for these players to help Canada work to win its fifth World Championship in a row, along with winning a Swiss Club team championship.
Keep your eye on the CBHA website for more news on these players and teams. You will find the Swiss club teams logos on the CBHA website to keep up with the players in their season. We are committed to have some games shown on WEBCAST. Stay tuned to our website for further details.