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“I’ve always wanted to come to Europe to play the European style of hockey,” he said from his Moos- burg residence. Turning to play in Europe, Hitchen said it was an option he wanted to pursue since playing tier two junior A hockey spanning over four seasons with the Markham Waxers, North York Rangers and Durham Fury. To date, Hitchen hasn’t regretted that decision. Making his professional hockey debut this season, the 21-year-old Hitchen is playing overseas for a team in Moosburg, Germany com- peting in the lower semi-profes- sional ranks called EV Aich. BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA Staff Writer Playing professional hockey isn't all about making big dollars, travel- ling on chartered jets, dining out at first-class restaurants and even endorsing products in magazine or TV advertisements. ~For Justin Hitchen, it was all about moving to a new country, adapting to a diflerent social envi- ronment, learning how to cook his own meals, wash the dishes and doing other domestic chores in a new residence miles away from his native Stoufl’ville. As a forward for the team and their lone Canadian player, Hitch- en has made an immediate impact, leading the club in scoring. 14 Stoufl’ville Sun-Tribune I Dec. 26, 2008 Hitchen tries hand in German hockey league v 1 1 am - 3pm Premium Ballmom Convention Centre . Sunday, January 25, 2009 While you’re at the Summer Camp Show, why not visit our fiWATE EDUCATION [HZ Moosberg is located outside of Munich. Justin Hitchen, a former Stouflville Spirit, made his pro hockey debut there this Season. The 21-yearâ€"old is the team’s scoring leader. Hitchen said the opportunity to play in Germany wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Stouffville resident John Bar- nett and Markham resident Mike Regan. “John gave me some insightton his experiences in playing profes- sional hockey in Germany and he pointed me in the right direction in making my dream of playing Euro- pean hockey come true," Hitchen hatch wmm Canadian Children’s Theatre Co. Brought ‘0 you by Canlan Ice Sports Discovery Day Camp f ' ‘ Ontario Pioneer Camp r Seneca College - King Day Camp \ Town Centre Montessori Private Schools Town of Richmond Hill A 0mm" 0, Township of King """°‘”‘° "‘°" “'°”' "0 Upper Canada Child Care m.yorkreglon.oom YMCA of Greater Toronto Summer Camps / ‘Choose the right Summer Camp for your child 'Meet exhibitors showcasing various summer camp options for your child. But it was Regan, a current coach in the Markham Waxers minor organization, who got the wheels in motion in arranging for Hitchen to be with his current club. “Mike flew here to Germany in the summer and made some inquiries with some teams on my behalf," Hitchen said. “He was a huge help in begin- ning my hockey career in Europe." ance arriving in Germany, Hitchen said it was a tough adjust- FREE ADMISSION 0 FREE PA BKING Participating Exhibitors: Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 11am-3pm PREMIERE BALLROOM CONVENTION CENTRE « //,’ ’ ,.z I Aurora Sports Dome Camp Kirk Camp Kodiak Camp Robin Hood Camp Tawingo “We’ve met up numerous times and have hung out," Hitchen said. “We also travelled to Austria and took in some of the sights there. What a beautiful country. But his new teammates have been helpful in making his life away from the ice and Stoufiville a lot easier and more enjoyable. Some have even provided him with some cooking recipes. “They know how far away 1 am from home so they make many efforts in making me feel good about being here. “Whether it's taking me out for dinner, showing me some sights, meeting some of their friends away from the rink, or inviting me to their houses for meals," he said. 9019 Leslie Sheet (N. at Hwy 7), Richmond Hill ment. Especially since a good number of them speak English. “I always have fans talking to me and asking me questions so that gives me a nice feeling, too. Every- body makes efiorts to ensure I’m all taken care of," he said. While in Germany, Hitchen said he’s made contact with a couple of former Stoufl'ville Spirit play- ers, Mike Sullivan and Mike Forgie, who play in Deggendorf, about a 45-minute drive away from Moos- As well, some of the local sup- porters have gone out of their way to offer assistance. “Also the hockey stores over here are quite different. “Difierent styles of stores. “Difierent products. Not like Just Hockey back home or that type of store." As for the hockey itself, Hitchen said the calibre is good. The game atmosphere, he added, is far dif- ferent from what he was accus- tomed to during his tier two junior Adays. “The fans have drums and instruments instead of the announcer saying the last name when someone scores the goal the crowd chants the name.” Part of his one-year deal includes a fully furnished apartment com- plete with cable TV, PlayStation and cellphone and a per diem each month. “I hope I'm able to move up to a higher league. Whether it’s here in Germany, or maybe another counâ€" try in Europe. “To travel and play hockey and make a bit of money on the side, what else could I ask for? Looking down the road, Hitchen hopes his stay with EV Aich will be a stepping stone to bigger things. 7 “I’ve been contacted by a few teams already in higher leagues. “I'm not going to get to far ahead of myself. “I'm going to take it one game at a time and whatever happens next year will take care of itself," he said.