Matt Thiessen will play hockey in Sweden
When Matt Thiessen, 15, began playing junior league ice hockey in fourth grade, he never dreamed it would take him places — let alone to hockey-hungry Sweden.
Thiessen was the only Kansas player selected by Chicago-based Spirit of Chicago Foundation to play on its ice hockey team. The team is mainly comprised of Chicago area players.
Spirit of Chicago is a nonprofit organization founded more than 30 years ago to promote exchange trips to foster international goodwill while participating in sports events.
The Swedish hockey team will come to play in the United States at a later date.
Thiessen will go to Chicago March 17 and will be in Sweden 10 days. Seventeen players are on the team and they will play seven or eight games in Karlskoga, Sweden.
He will be staying with a host family, the family of a Swedish hockey player. Spirit of Chicago team also will play some games in Stockholm.
A sophomore at Seaman High School, Thiessen plays for Metro Junior Hockey League in Topeka. He is an honor student and plays trumpet in Seaman jazz and marching bands.
He is the son of Lyle and Paula Thiessen. Lyle plans to accompany his son and the team on the trip.
Proud grandparents are David and Welma Thiessen and Marvin and Thelma Warkentine, all of rural Peabody.
