When the Winnipeg Falcons, a team comprised of ice hockey players of Icelandic descent, returned to Canada after becoming the first Olympic champions in ice hockey in Antwerp, Belgium, 1920, they were given a royal welcome.
The original Winnipeg Falcons. Source: Wikipedia.
When Winnipeg returned to the NHL ice hockey league in the summer of 2011 they considered naming their team the Falcons, but ended up deciding on the Jets, Morgunbladid reports.
Nevertheless, the Falcons were resurrected to compete at the 2011 Iceland Ice Hockey Cup in Egilshöll in Reykjavík next weekend, held by local team Björninn.
“We want to contribute to restoring Iceland’s economy by spending a few dollars while we’re here,” said one of the Falcons’ team member Grant Stefanson.
As with their predecessors, most of the Falcons’ players are of Icelandic descent. Stefanson said it is natural for them to honor the name of the first Olympic champions in ice hockey. They will play their first game on Thursday.
Click here to read more about the upcoming Ice Hockey Cup.
ESA
