Tuesday, December 28, 2004 8:13:26 PM
The Swiss family odyssey
Herald photo by Eric Hylden
Marcel and Janette Wick traveled from Switzerland to Grand Forks to watch their son, Roman, play in the World Junior Hockey Tournament in Ralph Engelstad Arena on Dec. 26
Posted on Tue, Dec. 28, 2004
Grand Forks Herald
An epic lesson: Make sure your taxi driver has a visa when he takes you across the border
Airline tickets? 1,500 Swiss francs.
Taxi ride? $175 Canadian.
Bus tickets? Free.
Watching your son score the first goal for Team Switzerland in the World Juniors? Priceless.
Memories of a gypsy-like journey to Grand Forks? Even more priceless.
Meet Marcel and Janette Wick of Zurich, Switzerland. Their son, Roman, scored the first goal in Switzerland's 5-0 win over Belarus Sunday. Mom and Dad were beaming from the stands.
How they got from Zurich to their seats is an even better story, however.
On Christmas Day, Marcel and Janette traveled for 15 hours to reach Winnipeg, with several airplane stops along the way. They bunked in Winnipeg that night, getting some much needed sleep.
Sunday - Canada's Boxing Day - they woke up early to get a rental car to take them to Grand Forks. None were available.
"I asked all the big companies at the airport, and they said there was no chance to get a car until the 28th," Marcel said. "Then we went back to the hotel and asked the front desk for help. They made some calls and still no chance."
So, Marcel and Janette did what any self-respecting hockey parents would do. They took a taxi.
"The price was $275 Canadian from Winnipeg to Grand Forks," Marcel said. "We thought that was good."
The taxi made it to the border, but no farther. "Our driver was from India, and he didn't have the right papers," Marcel said. "He wasn't allowed in."
After getting a $100 refund on their taxi fare, Marcel and Janette were marooned at the customs office. But, three hours later, a Greyhound bus came to their rescue.
"The border office said that it was OK to go on the bus for free," Marcel said. "The border people were friendly and cared about us. They made sure there was a ride for us to the hotel when we got to Grand Forks.
"It was no problem for us."
The Wicks are the only Swiss player parents in Grand Forks. They came here for two other reasons besides the World Juniors. They hadn't seen Roman since August, when he left home to play Junior A hockey in Red Deer, Alta. And, he turns 19 years old today.
It's also a chance for Marcel to relive his hockey days. Twenty-six years ago, he played in the World Junior Championship. He also played about 70 games for the Swiss national team.
"I was almost a professional," Marcel said.
They'll travel to Red Deer after the tournament to spend some more time with their son.
Having found a rental car in Grand Forks, they're hopeful that the trip to Red Deer won't be quite as eventful.
"It was a funny day," Marcel said about Sunday. "But, no risk, no fun."
That saying must be the Swiss equivalent of: "No pain, no gain."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakken reports on local news and writes a column. Reach him at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, extension 125; or rbakken@gfherald.com.
Herald photo by Eric Hylden
Marcel and Janette Wick traveled from Switzerland to Grand Forks to watch their son, Roman, play in the World Junior Hockey Tournament in Ralph Engelstad Arena on Dec. 26
Posted on Tue, Dec. 28, 2004
Grand Forks Herald
An epic lesson: Make sure your taxi driver has a visa when he takes you across the border
Airline tickets? 1,500 Swiss francs.
Taxi ride? $175 Canadian.
Bus tickets? Free.
Watching your son score the first goal for Team Switzerland in the World Juniors? Priceless.
Memories of a gypsy-like journey to Grand Forks? Even more priceless.
Meet Marcel and Janette Wick of Zurich, Switzerland. Their son, Roman, scored the first goal in Switzerland's 5-0 win over Belarus Sunday. Mom and Dad were beaming from the stands.
How they got from Zurich to their seats is an even better story, however.
On Christmas Day, Marcel and Janette traveled for 15 hours to reach Winnipeg, with several airplane stops along the way. They bunked in Winnipeg that night, getting some much needed sleep.
Sunday - Canada's Boxing Day - they woke up early to get a rental car to take them to Grand Forks. None were available.
"I asked all the big companies at the airport, and they said there was no chance to get a car until the 28th," Marcel said. "Then we went back to the hotel and asked the front desk for help. They made some calls and still no chance."
So, Marcel and Janette did what any self-respecting hockey parents would do. They took a taxi.
"The price was $275 Canadian from Winnipeg to Grand Forks," Marcel said. "We thought that was good."
The taxi made it to the border, but no farther. "Our driver was from India, and he didn't have the right papers," Marcel said. "He wasn't allowed in."
After getting a $100 refund on their taxi fare, Marcel and Janette were marooned at the customs office. But, three hours later, a Greyhound bus came to their rescue.
"The border office said that it was OK to go on the bus for free," Marcel said. "The border people were friendly and cared about us. They made sure there was a ride for us to the hotel when we got to Grand Forks.
"It was no problem for us."
The Wicks are the only Swiss player parents in Grand Forks. They came here for two other reasons besides the World Juniors. They hadn't seen Roman since August, when he left home to play Junior A hockey in Red Deer, Alta. And, he turns 19 years old today.
It's also a chance for Marcel to relive his hockey days. Twenty-six years ago, he played in the World Junior Championship. He also played about 70 games for the Swiss national team.
"I was almost a professional," Marcel said.
They'll travel to Red Deer after the tournament to spend some more time with their son.
Having found a rental car in Grand Forks, they're hopeful that the trip to Red Deer won't be quite as eventful.
"It was a funny day," Marcel said about Sunday. "But, no risk, no fun."
That saying must be the Swiss equivalent of: "No pain, no gain."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakken reports on local news and writes a column. Reach him at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, extension 125; or rbakken@gfherald.com.
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