LUBLIJANA,SLOVENIA – Back in the late 1990’s the U.K experienced a revolution in ice hockey. The birth of the Super League (ISL) and limitless imports and “Arena hockey” were the order of the day in the newly founded league. The league attracted some huge names over the course of its lifetime including Jamie Leach, Jim Paek, Dave Morrissette, Scott Allinson, Barry Neickar and Mike Blaisdell. As well as these named imports it was also a place where a select few home-grown talents could showcase themselves and its no wonder that six years since the ISL collapsed some of those players are still playing at the top of their game. The likes of Nicky Chinn, David Clarke, Tony Hand and David Longstaff all competed fairly equally alongside the star names on a nightly basis and are still some of the best players in their respective leagues today. One name that made a big impression to the fans of the ISL’s London Knights was Brendan Yarema. Yarema only played in the capital for one season but it was arguably the most successful season ever by a UK club as the Knights came within one goal of winning the Europe-wide Continental Cup. With sublime touches and an eye for goal the Sault Ste Marie native was able to pick up almost a point a game, ending the season with 33 points in 39 games, second only to Bryan Richardson as the clubs top points scorer.
Not only did Yarema know where the net was, he was not averse to having regular visits to the penalty box, picking up 139 minutes in his 39 games. This placed him second on his team behind the fiery winger Claude Jutras. Yarema established himself as a firm fans favourite with his style of play and the London fans took him to their hearts instantly as they knew that Coach Chris McSorley had signed something special. Yarema moved on like many on the team at the end of the 2000-2001 season and returned to the other side of the Atlantic and took up a playing position with the Houston Aeros while being affiliated with the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The following year he moved to the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and tried to break into the Anaheim Mighty Ducks side. When that didn’t work out Yarema moved to other AHL sides including Milwaukee Admirals, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and the Chicago Wolves, but still without that elusive NHL call. “After leaving the UK I returned home and played four years in the American league as well as signing with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and was hoping to get a crack with them, the problem was that was the year they had made the Stanley Cup finals against the Detroit Red Wings and their coach at the time, Mike Babcock, didn’t want to make any changes so after four years back home, I decided it was time to move back to Europe to explore other options,” Yarema said “I have no regrets about playing in the UK and would consider playing there again some day. When I was there, it was a very tough league and unfortunately the players didn’t have a lot of respect for their opponents and it was dangerous out on the ice at times. I love rough hockey but at the same time you have to respect the other guys on the ice as well and I think back then it was a bit crazy on the ice at times.” Things were a bit crazy off the ice too for Yarema and the UK wasn’t the easiest place to pick things up. “I think London was a great learning experience for me, from driving on the wrong side of the road having to sit on the opposite side in the car and driving. I will never forget leaving the parking lot when I first got to London after just picking up my car, I was driving on the road and clipped my left mirror on a parked car parked on the road.” “I couldn’t judge how close I was as I was just learning to drive on the opposite side. It was quite funny as I looked back in my rear view mirror and saw my mirror lying on the road,” Yarema said “Needless to stay I kept on driving! My time in the UK was quite enjoyable, the Brits are always looking to have fun and don’t mind having a few beers either, so I enjoyed exploring and meeting people away from the hockey world.” The first port of call for Yarema on his return to Europe was Augsburg Panthers in the German DEL where he picked up where he left off in London by scoring 42 points in 48 games and took 129 PIMs. The following year Yarema moved south to Langnau in the Swiss A-league as well as appearances for Swedish side Rogle in an injury-hit season.
In 2007 Yarema travelled back south again to join Slovenian side Lublijana Olympia in the expanded Austrian league. He scored almost a point a game once more with 46 points in 50 games and again racked up an average of over three minutes a game in penalties ending the season with 156. Yarema was quick to put pen to paper and sign on for another season in Lublijana where the fans adore Yarema so much so they even have their own Facebook group about him and some of his team mates, Yarema praised the Slovenian club “I was very happy to return and hope to be a part of the building of a successful team here, Lublijana is a great city and the people are great and totally nuts when it comes to hockey, It is a crazy experience on match day but very very enjoyable.” Yarema said Despite all his travels, the proudest moment in Yarema’s career came when he proudly wore his Canadian jersey in the Deutschland Cup in Germany in 2003 and was able to claim a gold medal. “I was so proud to be able to pick up a gold medal for my country in a tournament like this, the Deutschland Cup has a proud tradition around Europe and lots of stars have been a part of it over the years,” Yarema said “To have my name up there as a winner is a very special feeling.” With regards to Yarema’s future he had this to say “For the short term it is to play my best and do as well as I can with Lublijana and bring as much success here as I can, In the long term,who knows? hockey is one of those sports where you never know what is around the corner so you can’t always plan too far ahead,” Yarema said “Would I play in the UK again? I would consider it yes, but at the moment I am happy here in Slovenia, but never say never.” Yarema said Contact the author at Pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com
Catching air (Photo courtesy of alesfevzer.com)
Yarema with the off ice entertainment
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