The Orangeville Wolves have just returned from what will certainly be a trip of a lifetime on their barnstorming trip through the south of London England.

The team touched down at London Gatwick and never seemed to stop again until it was time to go home.

There were nine teams represented at the 12th annual Special Hockey International tournament including two from Grandravine, the Cooksville Crusaders, North York Gladiators, Durham Dragons, Albany Cougars, Michigan Far Flyers, and the host Werewolves of London.

The team took in so many sights at the event that the hockey was almost, but not quite, secondary.

The tournament was opened with a flashy opening ceremonies highlighted by the singing of the Canadian national anthem by Wolves player Adam Brown.

The team then opened with a game against the Gladiators in which Orangeville scored four goals.

Opening up the scoring in the tournament for the Wolves were Frankie Spagnolo from Timothy Zwicker and Dougie Myers. Zwicker teamed up with Vini Thomas and Myers while Adam Thompson combined with Jason Armstrong and Spagnolo for the third Zwicker wrapped the scoring with his second of the game from Adam Brown and Michael McCreary.

Travis Grist played a strong game for Orangeville in this one as he would throughout the tournament.

In their next game against the host Werewolves of London the team would reach the scoresheet 11 times in this very wide open game.

Adam Thompson opened the scoring for Orangeville with Zwicker and Myers drawing the helpers.

Thomas scored the second from Brown and Sibley.

Thompson then scored his second of the game from Zwicker and Myers. Darrin Johnston picked up the next Wolves goal with Joshua Sibley and Jason Armstrong drawing assists.

Thompson then completed the hat trick with Spagnolo and Sibley getting the helpers.

TJ Walton then scored from the slot with pal Scott Van Gerven drawing the lone assist.

Spagnolo then scored a high light reel goal with Zwicker and Sibley getting the helpers.

Johnston scored his second of the game from Thomas and Travis Hyatt before Hyatt would then add one of his own on a nice wrist shot during the same shift.

Vini Thomas then potted a nice rebound off a Van Gerven shot while Dougie Myers would close out the scoring with Armstrong and Brown getting credited with the assists.

Grist played another great game between the pipes for the Wolves who were forced to play the game shorthanded due to Matthew McCreary coming down with the flu.

There was much for the Wolves to do outside of hockey at the magnificent Butlin's Seaside Holiday Camp.

The team partook in the water park, go karting, and dancing along with a host of other activities.

The Wolves also spent two memorable days on tours accompanied by certified "Blue Badge" tour guides.

The first day was spent touring the Sussex area adjacent to where the team was staying.

This day was highlighted by stops at Arundle Castle, the remains of the 2000 year old Roman Palace at Fishbourne and a trip up the Spinnaker tower and the Cadbury shop at Portsmouth. They were also able to make a quick trip to Windsor Castle following one of the hockey days.

The highlight of the touring days was without doubt the trip to London however.

The team saw a long list of London sights including the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the Canadian War Memorial, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the London Tower and London Bridge. They also took in London Aquarium and the London Eye, waving the Canadian Flag at seal hunt protesters from the bus while driving past the Canadian Embassy and visiting the Beatles and Sherlock Holmes stores on Baker St.

The tournament ended with the closing ceremonies and banquet where each player in the tournament received a trophy commemorating their sportsmanship.

The team is already looking forward to next years tournament which will take place in either Virginia or New Jersey.