My American dream

My American dream

07 Nov 2012 | Andrea Valla - Hockeytime.net
 

Filippo Traversa, one of most promising Italian goalies, tells about his new challenge in US

 
 
 
 
Filippo Traversa, 18,  is the younger brother of promising forward Tommaso, playing at Hobart University and Chiara, goalie at Norwich University. This season also Filippo moved from native Turin to US, following his brothers' paths, to live his American dream with the Minnesota Owls of Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). In Italy Filippo shined with Real Torino, he was the best goalie of last Italian U20 league, and Italy U18.

How did you decide on this experience oveseas? Have you been "attracted" by the experiences of your brothers?
Obviously the experience of my brothers has been instrumental in deciding leave my home town and country: I think an experience outside your confortable world is very educational as a person as well as an athlete. I choose the United States where I can possibly continue with my studies
 
How is the championship MNJHL in which you participate?
I would say that it is a well organized league in the classical US tradition U.S. with two divisions (Minnesota and Great Lake) consisting of 8 teams each with games extra Conference and the Conference play-off finals for a total of 60 games

What about your season, you're satisfied with how and how much are you playing? You have excellent stats with 2 SO already done
My performance is fine for now. I played 9 games out of 15 and despite the 321 shots taken (the last meeting 61) I suffered 21 goals with a 93.5% SVS allows me to be ranked second among the goalies in the league

What differences have you found comparing with Italian hockey?
From a technical point of view the rinks are smaller, here players run and shoot more and the games are generally more aggressive and therefore the work of a goalie is certainly more difficult because the level of the athletes is higher.

There are many European players in your league? Or are you an exception?
I'm the only Italian but also the Europeans are few, just some Russian

What kind of training do you do? They are more or less intense than when you trained in Italy?
We train every day 2 times a day. In the morning we do it on our own initiative. In the afternoon the whole team with the coaches. We work a lot because here teams are the result of various try-outs. We are about thirty players of which 3-4 goalkeepers, the competition is very high. Six or seven players are scratched in every game and follow the team from the stands and of course nobody wants to to go.

The hockey in the United States is a very serious thing, and imagine that the training takes a lot of time? Having to think also to studies, you will be quite busy, tell us about your typical day

I am not going to school in the U.S. so I study on my own on Italian texts, and I keep in touch with some teachers via Skype. In March I will go back to Italy to attend the school and give my final exam. It will not be easy

Is your league covered  by media? Have you space in newspapers and on local television?
The matches are broadcasted and commented on streaming. I do not think there are local television stations. The American Federation publishes a good magazine with spaces dedicated to all the different leagues

Who is your idol as a player?
I would say Messi ... but we are talking about hockey, so I choose Sidney Crosby

How people consider hockey in Minnesota?
Minnesota is called the State of Hockey, because among the classic American sports hockey is definitely in the first place. In particular, the junior movement is well developed and very considered. There are about 200 high school teams in the local championship.

Have you ever been contacted by some Italian team to play?
No, because I have always been in the Real Torino and this year I came here in the USA

In December, Italy will play at World U20 Championship, do you expect a call?

In recent years I have received a few call and I dressed the Italy shirt in some tournaments. Coaches know me and of course I hope to be called. Having a call for a World Championship is always a great satisfaction. I hope to continue with the actual results. The competition is so much ... But you never know

What do you see in your future? Do you think to stay in America for a long time or your goal is to come back to Italy to play in Serie A?
First, I think to make a good season with my current team and try to impress the Colleges scouts to earn a scholarship and attend university in the United States and of course play hockey as my brother and my sister. Then in five years we'll see.

Original interview
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