ere very friendly and helpful - making the check in process go smoothly for all 21 passengers (15 players, 2 coaches, 4 parents). After all the gear & suitcases were tagged, everyone headed down to security. Handing out passports and boarding passes...and then collecting them all became a rountine after a few times. By 6:15am, everyone passed through security and settled at the gate. PSPs were br
ought out and all the kids grouped together. Before it was time to board, the boys got food to eat and some enjoyed smoothies.Around 7:20am, it was time to board. The Air Canada representative announced that "a special group - the San Jose Jr. Sharks Hockey Team" would be on board and let us all board first. After a little rearranging of the kids and the adults, all the kids got to sit together and enjoyed the flight. They we all very
well behaved, which wasn't too hard to do with the tv screens in front of 
each of them - some watched movies, some tv shows...yet, again, the PSPs were brought out and shared amoungst all. They really had a great time. We arrived in Toronto around 3pm (Toronto Time). After going through customs, which went very smooth...we had to collect all our luggage and hockey gear. A collective sigh of relief was heard after all our bags were accounted for after this first part of our trip. All the gear needed to be wheeled to the connecting flight baggage area - we were amazed how many hockey bags the porter was able to get on the cart 
Once the luggage & gear was deposited again - on it's way to the airplane...passports and boarding passes were handed out to everyone again as we headed through security for the final leg of our travels...going to Quebec City. Once through security, it was time for lunch. Some of the boys went straight for Tim Hortons and some for deli sandwiches. With full bellies, everyone met back at the gate as we waited for our turn to board the plane to Quebec. Looking outside, it was noticed that the plane that we would be travelling on was a prop plane..."oh, my those are small planes," one player commented on. They were small planes...40 seaters. Unfortunately, our departure was delayed due to weather - the pilots and crew who would be on our flight were late getting in from them previous flight. However, there were some rumors that the plane would be departing late because of all the gear and luggage. But whatever the case, we took off about 30 minutes later.
well behaved, which wasn't too hard to do with the tv screens in front of 
each of them - some watched movies, some tv shows...yet, again, the PSPs were brought out and shared amoungst all. They really had a great time. We arrived in Toronto around 3pm (Toronto Time). After going through customs, which went very smooth...we had to collect all our luggage and hockey gear. A collective sigh of relief was heard after all our bags were accounted for after this first part of our trip. All the gear needed to be wheeled to the connecting flight baggage area - we were amazed how many hockey bags the porter was able to get on the cart 
Once the luggage & gear was deposited again - on it's way to the airplane...passports and boarding passes were handed out to everyone again as we headed through security for the final leg of our travels...going to Quebec City. Once through security, it was time for lunch. Some of the boys went straight for Tim Hortons and some for deli sandwiches. With full bellies, everyone met back at the gate as we waited for our turn to board the plane to Quebec. Looking outside, it was noticed that the plane that we would be travelling on was a prop plane..."oh, my those are small planes," one player commented on. They were small planes...40 seaters. Unfortunately, our departure was delayed due to weather - the pilots and crew who would be on our flight were late getting in from them previous flight. However, there were some rumors that the plane would be departing late because of all the gear and luggage. But whatever the case, we took off about 30 minutes later.
Nevertheless, we all arrived in Quebec around 8pm (Quebec time)- all our luggage & hockey gear arrived (minus Molly Kelley's suitcase). We were greeted by the Captain of the host families and Eric (who is hosting Victor, Nick and Kyle)
. This is the Captain speaking to all of us, explaining what we would be doing. He was wearing his Sharks Quebec jacket he received 2 years ago when he was the Captain of the '94 team in 2007. The plan - load all the Hockey bags (first), then stick bags and then the luggage in the truck. After that the boys piled in a van and everyone went to the hotel to meet up with their host families. As soon as the boys arrived, they received their luggage and left with their families.
. This is the Captain speaking to all of us, explaining what we would be doing. He was wearing his Sharks Quebec jacket he received 2 years ago when he was the Captain of the '94 team in 2007. The plan - load all the Hockey bags (first), then stick bags and then the luggage in the truck. After that the boys piled in a van and everyone went to the hotel to meet up with their host families. As soon as the boys arrived, they received their luggage and left with their families.
It has been a long day - a long journey here. A little travel worn, I am sure that the boys will sleep well tonight with then new Quebec families. Tomorrow, when the sun comes out, they will get their first official view of Quebec City. And around 12noon, they will step into the Colusium tomorrow...so until then - Bonjour!
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