"In just over a month, millions of Canadians will be gathering to watch ice hockey at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games. Hockey enthusiasts may know Italy is among 12 nations on the men's side that'll be vying for gold, while the host country's women's team is among eight in competition. But what fans may not know is Italy's hockey program has deep and historic ties to Canada, particularly northern Ontario."
"These men applied for Italian passports and moved to the country their parents had once called home, carrying hopes of making something of themselves in professional sports and dreams of competing on the international stage. Several of the northern Ontario players made it to that Olympic team 70 years ago along with Maniacco, they included fellow Sault players Carmen Tucci and Bernie Tomie. Ron Furlani from Sudbury also made the squad."
Millions of Canadians will gather to watch ice hockey at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games. Italy fields one of 12 men's teams and the host country's women's team is among eight competitors. Italy's hockey program has deep historic ties to northern Ontario. Aldo Maniacco, from Sault Ste. Marie, was among several northern Ontario players who played for Italy at the 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, the country's first time hosting the Games. Italy scouted players of Italian heritage from Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay; many applied for Italian passports and moved to Italy to pursue professional hockey and international competition. Maniacco's family is working to preserve the legacy of the 'Cortina Canadians.'
Read at www.cbc.ca
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