Junior hockey is the next step for player development and is a big change for players, especially overseas. The Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL) is on it’s 20th year of an organized league and it’s second year as a development league for the Ontario Hockey League OHL. The GOHL has become more international than it has ever with 7 different overseas countries represented.
Nikolai Felin-Henrikson from Oslo, Norway is a goaltender for the Strathroy Rockets in the GOHL and moved to Canada on August 10th, 2026. One difference Felin-Henrikson found difficult to start was the philosophy difference from Canada to Norway.
Nikolai Felin-Henrikson in goal (Credit: Colleen Wiendels)
“In Norway we have the mind set practice makes you better, so we’re on the ice two times a day. While in Canada you’re on two times a week, which made me focus on practice more and felt I needed to be perfect.” said Felin-Henrikson.
He stats the hockey skill cap in Norway is around the junior level creating a big skill gap between teams.
“The game is faster, more skilled players, and a smaller rink in Canada. In Norway you would have 3-5 teams dominate the league, while over here the skill gap is much closer where their isn’t a clear team that will win.” he said.
Vladimir Romankov is from Minsk, Belarus he is teammates and roommates with Felin-Henrikson. Romankov found much support when coming over to Canada from his billet family.
Vladimir Romankov going for the puck along the boards (Credit: Colleen Wiendels)
“They told me to make myself at home and that they will take good care of me.” Romankov said. Billet families are meant to provide a ‘home away from home’ for international players coming over to play in higher leagues.
When coming over from Belarus, Romankov did struggle to getting used to the Canadian play style, but caught on very quickly.
One thing both Romankov and Felin-Henrikson like about Canada is how nice and welcoming Canadians are, as well as the food.
Both shared there favourite national food, with Romankov’s being Borscht a type of stew, and Felin-Henrikson’s being Salmon as the fish in Norway tastes amazing according to him.
