Tim in China too....

Today, the new Chinese National Team assistant coach, Tim "Tio" McNamara arrived in Harbin. To make his experience mirror my own, we took him out with the staff to a traditional Chinese "hot pot" dinner. Lots of toasts and it was great to have the whole staff together finally. It seems like we will have great group.



From left to right: Tim McNamara, Li Taemin, ME (of course), Liu Qun, Ji Weiguang, (the tall man, as he is called, no one seems to know his name), An Zhi Jian (team leader).

We had our hardest practice yet this morning as I really put them through their paces. Then after an off-ice session with Coach Li, and the announcement of the players that will be traveling to Finland, they went home to families for a day and a half. The announcement held no real surprises as the younger players still have a ways to go to catch up with the rest of the team.

This afternoon, I conducted an on-ice clinic for coaches of young girls in the Harbin area (about 20 of them). I had a new translator (as mine was away for the weekend) so I am not sure how well it went over. There were two former national team players who are now coaching, so that was good. I am back on the ice for day two with them tomorrow (and some more detail in tomorrows blog).

Otherwise, what has become a pretty normal routine here in Harbin... only a few days until the train ride to Beijing and flight to Helsinki... Short but sweet tonight from Harbin...