From the Beginning ...
In March 1981, I was invited to assemble a group of hockey players to participate in an international hockey tournament in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
The team was made up of a fun loving group of young men from various educational and work experience backgrounds. Our star player was Dan Carbonneau from Connecticut who was seeking to play professional hockey. The rest of us were there for the skiing, sightseeing and yes, the hockey tournament.The experience was so overwhelmingly fun, that although we didn’t win the tournament, we certainly enjoyed the experience enough to return the following year. On the flight home a new international company was born.
From 1983 onward, it was time to send some serious hockey teams to Europe. Afterall, two straight years of losing was enough to bear. I selected former Junior Major A players from the Quebec League, and began touring Holland, Belgium and France. The players won most games and a great number of them were selected to play professional hockey in Europe. Some players are still there, married with lovely children and working in professional careers. In 1986 I had the privilege of negotiating a professional contract for Michel Therrien, coach of the Montreal Canadians and formerly the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL.
Since 1981 I’ve organized over 265 hockey games, with 1,710 players and accompanying friends. Most notably was a tour with the NHL Old Pros, with the likes of Maurice ‘’The Rocket’’ Richard as referee, players Henry Richard, Eddy Shack, Jim Neilson, Bob Nevin Brian and Gary Smith, to name but a few. Personally, I have made well over 100 trips, establishing the sports network and accompanying groups.
All this could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of a network of hockey contacts throughout Europe. With the help of this network, we are now in the process of promoting hockey trips to North America. Countries such as Sweden, Germany and France will be our first expansion countries to market.
At the present, our intentions are to bring Europeans to enjoy the many sites and sports venues of North America.
We at SportSelect International look forward to working closely with you to assist in providing you and your team with the dream trip of a lifetime! We have a custom made itinerary to fit all budgets and caliber of teams, both ladies and men for European and North American travel.
Sportingly yours,
Roger Anthony Bastien
President of SportSelect International, Inc.
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