photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Kristýna Pátková
A group of enthusiastic Global Hockey Forum participants gathered on the Promenade des Anglais at 6:40 on Wednesday morning, when the first rays of sun were still below the horizon.
The morning run – or alternatively, a walk – was an energetic start to Day 2 of the forum.
“We’re a sports federation, so I think people enjoy going for a run with others. When we have IIHF Council meetings, we go for runs every day. Whether we’ve been in Edmonton, Vierumäki, or Stockholm, we’ve always started the day with a 45-minute run,” says Raeto Raffainer, IIHF Council Member.
“It’s a good way to chat about the day ahead and prepare for meetings. Sometimes there are four of us, other times eight.”
On Wednesday, however, more than a hundred people joined Raffainer for his morning run and conversation.
“The idea was inspired by something I saw in Seattle when I attended the NHL’s sales and marketing meeting. It was such a great idea that I suggested to the IIHF we try it as well,” Raffainer adds.
Each runner was asked to wear a shirt with their favourite team’s colours, so the Promenade des Anglais was soon filled with participants in NHL sweaters, federation golf shirts, and team T-shirts.
After the run, Raffainer even took a dip in the Mediterranean. Around twenty participants followed his example, while a dozen more rolled up their pants and dipped their toes in the water.
“I do it regularly in Switzerland, and when I was chairman of a women’s tournament in Estonia, the Estonian federation president and I took a dip every morning – and back then the water was only two degrees. This was awesome in its own way,” Raffainer said.
“Most importantly, people seemed to enjoy this. It was genuine team-building, and to me it felt like people were bonding and communicating in a way that doesn’t always happen in formal settings. Hopefully, this will lead to continued connections in the future,” Raffainer says.
The smiles all around were a sure sign that participants were happy they got up before sunrise.
“I really enjoyed the run. I met so many new people here, and every encounter has been amazing. The initiative itself is incredibly inspiring,” said Faith Sihoho from the Kenyan ice hockey federation.
“The whole event is so inspiring and eye-opening. It has really challenged me and encouraged me to return home energized and begin our strategy work with fresh ideas.”
As the group walked back to the hotel, the sun peeked out from behind the mountain. It was time for another great day at the Global Hockey Forum.
The morning run – or alternatively, a walk – was an energetic start to Day 2 of the forum.
“We’re a sports federation, so I think people enjoy going for a run with others. When we have IIHF Council meetings, we go for runs every day. Whether we’ve been in Edmonton, Vierumäki, or Stockholm, we’ve always started the day with a 45-minute run,” says Raeto Raffainer, IIHF Council Member.
“It’s a good way to chat about the day ahead and prepare for meetings. Sometimes there are four of us, other times eight.”
On Wednesday, however, more than a hundred people joined Raffainer for his morning run and conversation.
“The idea was inspired by something I saw in Seattle when I attended the NHL’s sales and marketing meeting. It was such a great idea that I suggested to the IIHF we try it as well,” Raffainer adds.
Each runner was asked to wear a shirt with their favourite team’s colours, so the Promenade des Anglais was soon filled with participants in NHL sweaters, federation golf shirts, and team T-shirts.
After the run, Raffainer even took a dip in the Mediterranean. Around twenty participants followed his example, while a dozen more rolled up their pants and dipped their toes in the water.
“I do it regularly in Switzerland, and when I was chairman of a women’s tournament in Estonia, the Estonian federation president and I took a dip every morning – and back then the water was only two degrees. This was awesome in its own way,” Raffainer said.
“Most importantly, people seemed to enjoy this. It was genuine team-building, and to me it felt like people were bonding and communicating in a way that doesn’t always happen in formal settings. Hopefully, this will lead to continued connections in the future,” Raffainer says.
The smiles all around were a sure sign that participants were happy they got up before sunrise.
“I really enjoyed the run. I met so many new people here, and every encounter has been amazing. The initiative itself is incredibly inspiring,” said Faith Sihoho from the Kenyan ice hockey federation.
“The whole event is so inspiring and eye-opening. It has really challenged me and encouraged me to return home energized and begin our strategy work with fresh ideas.”
As the group walked back to the hotel, the sun peeked out from behind the mountain. It was time for another great day at the Global Hockey Forum.