Last year, I came all the way from Chamonix, France, to play for the Dunedin Thunder in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.
After a great season in 2013, the Thunder made it to the NZIHL grand final. Unfortunately, the team lost to the Canterbury Red Devils, so I have decided to come back for a second season and claim the title in 2014.
When I got into the team last year, I did not know what to expect. I was really surprised how everybody - team-mates, staff and fans - were really friendly. The atmosphere within the team was a perfect way to integrate into the New Zealand culture.
Luckily for me, there was another Frenchman in the team, Guillaume Leclancher. Guillaume was immensely helpful when it came to settling into the team. We have become really good friends and it's great to play with him again this season.
The good thing about being here for a second season is that you can see the improvement from one year to another.
This year, the team is basically the same as last year. For the first time in franchise history, the Dunedin Thunder has kept all its import players bar one, who is playing professional ice hockey in France.
Everybody is working harder and it is great to see younger players having a chance to have more ice time and gain confidence this year.
After two months of practices, some pre-season games and six league games, we are sitting second in the championship table.
I can already tell you that it is going to be a tight season and all the teams in the league can expect to play the final this year.
The level of play is really high on the ice, but I am confident in the depth of skill in our team. If we play our game, we will make the final this year and have a good chance of winning it all.
We have the bye this weekend before another big clash with the Southern Stampede in Dunedin on July 12-13.
To be honest, the Dunedin Thunder is like a big family, and our home is the ice stadium. I'm looking forward to seeing you all there for our next games.
- Ben Gavoille is a 24-year-old French ice hockey player with the Dunedin Thunder. He will contribute a regular column during the national league season.
