By Ashley Stadnicki · For Marius Angelin, one of the things he expects to miss most about Tennessee hockey has little to do with what happens on the ice. It is the Sunday…
For Marius Angelin, one of the things he expects to miss most about Tennessee hockey has little to do with what happens on the ice.
It is the Sunday mornings spent with teammates, talking about the night before, catching up on the week and enjoying the everyday moments that have made Knoxville feel like home.
“I’ll definitely miss just being able to wake up, hang out with the boys, and talk about what happened last night,” Angelin said.
To Angelin and fellow Swedish defenseman Markus Ekdal, coming to Knoxville meant leaving behind familiar surroundings in Sweden to pursue opportunities in American college hockey. For Alekss Simanovics, a Latvian defenseman studying in France, an exchange semester in Knoxville has offered a chance to experience a different country and style of hockey.
All three have discovered that adjusting to life in this new country involves much more than learning a different system on the ice although their journeys to Tennessee differ.
A different path to Rocky Top
Tennessee became an opportunity through a familiar connection for Ekdal, a sophomore from Gothenburg, Sweden.
After playing junior hockey in Florida, Ekdal returned home to Sweden for a year before deciding he wanted to continue his education. He eventually played at Duquesne University, where a former coach later reached out about an opportunity at Tennessee. The coach, who had previously worked with Ekdal in Florida, was taking over the school’s hockey program and invited him to visit Knoxville.
Ekdal called his friend Angelin, and the two came to see the campus and meet the team. “I really loved the place, so I decided to go here,” said Ekdal.
Angelin, also a sophomore from Sweden, had taken a similar route through American hockey. After playing junior hockey in the United States, he attended Niagara University for a year before deciding it was not the right fit. When Ekdal told him about Tennessee, Angelin agreed to visit. “I fell in love with the place,” Angelin said.
The size of the university, the facilities and the welcoming atmosphere helped make the decision easier. But the opportunity also offered something different from life back home. “I was kind of sick and bored of Gothenburg,” Angelin said. He explained that he had enjoyed his earlier experience in the United States, particularly meeting new people.
For Simanovics, Tennessee represents a different kind of opportunity. Originally from Latvia and currently attending college in France, the junior arrived in Knoxville as an exchange student, with his stay scheduled to last through December.
He had once dreamed of playing American college hockey, but thought that possibility had passed before the exchange opportunity arose.
“I think every hockey player at some point wanted to play American college hockey,” Simanovics said. “When I had an opportunity to come here to exchange and play some hockey, I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it. Sounds pretty fun.’”
Bigger crowds, different customs
Adjusting to Tennessee has meant discovering a culture that looks different from what the players knew in Europe. For Simanovics, one of the biggest surprises was the landscape. He expected Knoxville to be much less green, but instead found a city surrounded by hills and natural beauty.
The biggest culture shock, however, came on football Saturdays.
“A hundred thousand people in one stadium is insane,” Simanovics said. Having attended multiple Tennessee football games, he was also struck by the tailgating culture.
For players arriving from Sweden, even everyday clothing can be a noticeable difference.
Ekdal said the relaxed dress code in Tennessee initially stood out. In Sweden, he explained, wearing athletic shorts and a T-shirt to school would be unusual, even in warm weather.
Angelin noticed a similar contrast. He was accustomed to dressing more formally in public, but has come to appreciate the casual atmosphere in Knoxville. “You don’t have to dress up for anyone,” Angelin said. “It’s kind of nice to always feel comfortable.”
However, adjusting to a new culture has also meant discovering unexpected favorites.
An appreciation for Tennessee’s country style, particularly its boots and hats, for Ekdal. Simanovics was surprised by how affordable golf could be, describing a round for about $34 with a cart as one of his favorite discoveries.
While Tennessee has offered plenty to enjoy, there are still things the players miss about home. To Angelin, that means family, friends, home-cooked meals and Swedish kebab pizza. And it’s good coffee for Simanovics.
Different game on the ice
Despite the cultural adjustments, hockey remains the common thread connecting the players to their new surroundings.
But even a familiar sport can look different across the Atlantic.
In Sweden, hockey is a major part of the sporting culture. Angelin said that in the United States, hockey competes for attention with sports such as football. Still, he has been surprised by the number of people involved with and interested in the Tennessee ho…