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The 'moose' is on the loose in Europe

One of these days the kid is probably going to be glad that he changed his mind.
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MacKenzie Flett


One of these days the kid is probably going to be glad that he changed his mind.

Thanks to a little persistence from his soon-to-be head coach, 11-year-old MacKenzie Flett is on his way to Bolzano, Italy, Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany with a bunch of Americans.

Flett, known by some simply as the 'moose' was initially hesitant about making such a trip and his parents, Jeff and Gina weren't surprised when he told them he didn't want to go because it's simply "too far".

Jeff and Gina believe he was probably afraid of being far away from home at a young age.

He was about to turn down a hockey trip to various parts of Europe likely because he didn't want to be that far away from home even if it's only for a week-and-a-half.

Pretty understandable.

"For a kid 11 years old, what an opportunity?.." said his parents in a letter to the paper.

It caught the whole family "completely off guard," read the letter.

Flett is also joined by Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goaltender and native of Yorkton Joel Danyluk.

Although they are making separate trips, Danyluk is going based on community involvement in which hockey played a part.

Flett, on the other hand needed a little boost from his new coach, who called him at least three times, apparently begging the blond-haired blueliner to come join his Selects hockey team.

At first MacKenzie said 'no way, it's too far'. After a few more calls from his coach, he was in," said his parents in a hand-written letter.

His name is on a roster of players from all over North America that will be skating for the 98/99 (age group) Cougar Selects hockey team.

There are two others on the team from Canada. Several are from New Jersey, some from Vermont, Illinois and Virginia.

Stops on the tour include Munich and Italy on day one, Austria on day five and back to Munich near the end of the trip.

Flett himself is bringing with him an already impressive hockey resume for a Pee Wee aged player.

"He played for seven different teams last season," says his dad, Jeff. "That's his life."

He's joining a AAA team in Regina before leaving for Europe and plays baseball, golf and ball hockey when not playing ice hockey.

The dates of his European adventure are April 17-27. His Cougars team will be playing six exhibition games