ERZURUM BUZ HOKEYİ: Erzurum Gençlik Spor Kulubü

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ERZURUM GENÇLİK SPOR CLUB
December 24, 2013

By B.C. Ryan

Soner Özmen has played on two national championship for GSK. Last season Soner was selected to Turkish to U17 IIHF Development Team. ''Soner has great hands and the potential to be a great players,'' said Keith McAdams, head coach of GSK. "If Soner picks up his skating he can become one of the best players in Turkey."

GSK notified the TBHF, they will not take part in Super League this season. GSIM management cited, "the failure to pay travel cost from last season." GSK management said, "The TBHF made an unfair schedule. The TBHF scheduled only provided one home weekend and expects GSK to pay 80% of travel costs."

We asked Coach McAdams to comment on the problems in TBHF. "I will just say it's a big loss for Erzurum and Turkish Hockey,'' said Keith McAdams. "Anytime you lose a day of training it lost for ever. These players will never be able make up the loss of not playing in league.''

The TBHF will go ahead with the Super League with three teams.

Eleven GSK Players Head to TBHF U20 Camp:

TOLGA BAYBURTLU (GK)
MUHAMMED KARAGÜL (GK)
EMRE FANER (D)
FATİH FANER (D)
Emin Savas (D)
Huseyin Seçer (D)
SEFA Kavaz (F)
ABDÜLKADİR İNANÇ (F)
Ömer Kars (F)
SeFa TaKar (F)
Soner Özmen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ERZURUM GENÇLİK SPOR CLUB
RECAP OF PRESS INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 17, 2013
POSTED BY: Keith McAdams

Interview with TV and News Papers at Erzurum Ice Arena What happening with your club now? I think it important that everyone know, GSIM has done a great job with hockey and learn to skate programs in Erzurum. The GSK has won three Turkish National championships. The 18 team is the best in Turkey right now. We have the best young players in Turkey. These players are representing Turkey on the National Teams. The Under 14 team has only lost one game in three years. Both the 18 year old team and 14 year old clubs were undefeated last season. In fact the 18 year old club, won the final game in championship 11-0. We need the media, businesses and public of Erzurum to support the club. Why did the TBHF cut funding to ice hockey? I do not know, you need to speak to someone in the Federation. I do not think they made any reason public. What is the impact of TBHF cutting funding to ice hockey? I can only speak about Erzuurm. There are five things I can think of off the top of my head. 1. There were 8 young teams in Erzurum. Over 100 total players participating in learn to play hockey and skating.The management of GSIM did a great job setting up the infrastructure for hockey development in Turkey. We now have only 10 players participating in hockey. The decision not to fund hockey has setback development in Erzurum many years. Losing 90 young players is a disaster for hockey development in Erzurum and Turkey. We lost these players because there is no equipment for the players.
2. Seven young teams closed operations because they will no longer receive funding from the TBHF. Last year the Federation did not pay for championships has previous announce and younger players dropped out of hockey. Every team has relied on money from the TBHF to develop hockey. The TBHF canceled this funding without any prior notice to the clubs. 3. We have no money for equipment and development in Erzurum. Without sticks and skates, we can not practice or play games. We had 40 new young players take the bus everyday for two months to the rink, wanting to play hockey; but we had no equipment. Everyday our players are asking for sticks and equipment, but I have none to give them. Eventually players stop coming to the arena. 4. Eventually all the National players from Erzurum will sign with other clubs and leave the city. Our players are best at the younger ages and other cities want GSK players. 5. The decision not to fund hockey directly affects all the people in Erzurum. The city has spent tax money to build these great facilities, but without money to grow hockey, these building will sit empty and eventually close down. What are the problems you are facing in Erzurum today? As you can see, we do not have equipment and sticks to train. Last year we played in the Championships with five players with broken skates and no extra sticks. We shared skates last year between three teams. The situation is worse now. According to management, last year the TBHF was to pay money for travel. but they did not pay the money. GSK worked hard to find money and sent the clubs to the championships. We did not have this money in the budget. GSIM need to pay for three clubs to travel from Erzurum, hotel, meals and fees. I am very grateful that GSIM found away to make this happen. This was not the case for some teams in Turkey. What is the solution? Like I said before, the players in Erzurum are the hardest working players in Turkey. We have players that have been offered contracts to leave Erzuurm. They were loyal to their city and stayed to play in Erzurum without any money! I am asking the community to get behind the club and sponsor us. I am asking that the local businesses to sponsor the players that have made the National teams. They have won three Turkish Championships in the past 2 years. I would hope the community will get behind the club and help us. I am asking the media to get behind these young players and give them the recognition they deserve.