24th Haverford Hawks Finland/USA Exchange Kicks Off Friday

HAVERFORD, PA — The Haverford Hawks Finland/USA Exchange program is celebrating nearly a quarter-century of international hockey fun.

For nine days, the Haverford Hawks will host the Viikingit Helsinki players in their homes, immersing them in our culture and living like American teens.

The exchange has a number of planned activities. The schedule of activities is below.

The goal of the Exchange is to harness the kid’s love for hockey and use it to develop friendships with like-minded children from across the ocean.

Thanks to Covid-19’s plans in 2020, this year’s Exchange is actually TWICE the size of ordinary years.

"Our two clubs have been doing this Exchange for 29 years," said event chair Steve Graney. "But because of the Coronavirus, this year’s Exchange is twice as big - we have the group that should have gone in 2020 — and our 2022 kids, too."

Events for the exchange include:

Friday, 6 p.m. (estimated time)
Finns will arrive by bus from JFK airport to greet their host families, say goodbye to their parents, and head to their homes for the week!

Sunday, all morning, Iceworks in Aston
Joint practices with the two clubs throughout the morning. Contact Kate Stickel (610-235-9932) for rinks and times.

Monday, Philadelphia Day Bus Trip
The Finns and their US hosts will spend the day visiting the sites in Philadelphia, including:

• 11:15 a.m.- City Hall, Clothespin Statue, and & Love Park
• 12:30 p.m. - Reading Terminal Market for Lunch
• 2:15 p.m. - Pictures with former Flyer Kimmo Timonen at the Art Museum, running the “Rocky Steps”
• 3:30 p.m. - Independence Hall Area

Wednesday, Finland Night at the Philadelphia Flyers

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. - the Exchange kids will get to skate the Flyers Ice

Thursday, 8:45 a.m., Tournament Opening Ceremonies, Haverford Skatium
We will kick it off with some opening remarks, the National Anthem of both countries, and the ceremonial dropping of the first puck

Saturday, April 16, Farewell Event, 6 p.m, Drexelbrook, Drexel Hill
We will make closing remarks, be given a proclamation from Haverford Township, give out some trophies, and then eat, drink and dance the night away.