Torontonian dreams of German win
By LANCE HORNBY, TORONTO SUN
Berlin is a long way from North York, but Robert Leask hopes to shorten the distance home by the end of the World Cup. The North York-born defenceman on Team Germany says it would be "a dream come true" for his club to survive the four-team European pool and qualify for a shot at the final back in Toronto.
"We're definitely huge underdogs, but you never know," Leask said this week in a phone interview from the German training base in Cologne. "You look at (Greece's incredible upset soccer win in Euro 2004). That can happen in sports."
MARRIED GERMAN
Leask's parents are actually of Scottish descent, but he became a German citizen after nine years of playing club hockey for Eisbaren Berlin and marrying Jeannette, a local girl.
"I've really been accepted here," Leask said. "There are a lot of North Americans, Czechs and Russians who play in the German league now."
However, the 33-year-old's family tree still runs maple sap. A Metropolitan Toronto Hockey League grad with the Marlboros and St. Michael's organizations, Leask played for the Ontario Hockey League Marlies in their closing year at Maple Leaf Gardens (1988-89).
"There weren't a lot of people watching us in the Gardens that year," Leask recalled with a laugh. "I guess it would be different (if Germany gets to the Air Canada Centre next month).
Leask was a late-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals, spent a year in their chain and had a stint on the Canadian national team and spends much of the summer here. But he has made a comfortable life playing in Germany, where new arenas and strong club hockey make it a growing power in the sport.
American coach Ron Wilson predicts Germany will shake up the European pool, which is without the customary powerhouse Russian entry at this World Cup.
"Just like in today's NHL with parity, the biggest outsider could be Germany," Wilson said.
"(Goaltender) Olaf Kolzig is as good as anyone in a one-off game," Leask added. "But it's a long way to go for us. Just looking at the rosters, the Swedes appear to be the strongest on this side."
