Red Wings defenceman Devon Becker will never forget the experiences of playing hockey in Jerusalem, representing Team Canada at the 20th Maccabiah Games in Israel.
The Maccabiah Games are held every four years in Israel, and competition ran from July 6-17, with the closing ceremonies held on Monday. Becker was a rookie defenceman with the Red Wings in the 2016-17 season, and hails from Langley, B.C. He joined Team Canada after the coach had chosen his brother Kyle for the squad, and asked Devon to join.
“They had turned a big basketball arena into a hockey arena, which was pretty cool,” said Devon, noting for the gold medal game versus the United States, they had 8,500 people in the audience, many of them seeing hockey for the first time. Canada defeated the U.S. by a score of 7-2 to win the gold medal.
“To my knowledge, this was the first time hockey had ever been played in Jerusalem,” he said.
Winning the gold medal game for his country, and hearing O Canada played after the medal presentation, “was the best feeling I’ve ever had in winning. It was a really awesome experience.” Altogether the team played five games, and Devon scored one goal and had 10 assists through the tournament.
The hockey team, along with about 60 per cent of the Canadian athletes, were all staying in a hotel for the games, and they were given the opportunity to do some sightseeing around Jerusalem, as well as to visit the Dead Sea, Masada and Tel Aviv, during their stay in Israel. Masada was the most interesting historical site he visited, while Tel Aviv was more of a party town.
Devon had never been to the country before, but his dad had been and had always told them it was a trip they should make. Devon, his brother Kyle and his team-mates were able to experience some of Israel’s culture and food during their stay, noting that sometimes they would go out in small groups to a small local restaurant to have a bite to eat.
Asked if security was ever a concern for the team, Devon said, “For us, we were pretty safe. There were a few times when we were out we’d see people with fully-automatic guns walking around, but for those who were in the military, they had to take their weapons home, and after a while you don’t really notice it.”
Overall, said Devon, “it was just a really, really cool experience. It was a very memorable trip, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
The Canadian athletes were brought to the Games by Maccabi Canada, which works to develop and promote Jewish identity in youth through the passion of sports.
Weyburn fans will see Devon back with the Red Wings in about a month’s time when the fall training camp is held.
