'Greatest experience': Locals earn ball hockey medals in Slovakia

As kids, Drake Manning Almeida and Evan Barbosa grew to love the sport of hockey.

In the summer months without ice, they honed their skills by playing street hockey . Little did the pair know they were about to make history.

Almeida and Barboza recently returned home after leading the U18 United States national ball hockey team to a silver medal during the 2024 ISBHF Ball Hockey World Junior Championships in Zilina, Slovakia. The team was one of three teams ever in the USA organization to make it that far.

"One of our goals was to win gold," Almeida said. "Last year, we did not even get a medal because we came in fourth. But this year we won silver. I'm happy with it."

With wins against Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, England and Canada, the United States 18U team had a perfect record of 5-0, heading into the finals against Canada. But Canada avenged the loss with a 5-1 victory in the championship game.

"We came up short and it was less than what we expected," Barbosa said. "But it was a great feeling to even make it that far."

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Head coach Eddie Costa created the Southcoast Ball Hockey Association six years ago. It was orginially a travel team called the Spindle City Warriors. Costa saved up money and bought a surface with a rink to play in Swansea. He said the journey to the finals began a season ago.

"There has been a lot of hard work over the year," the 37-year old Fall River native said. "We worked out together for a year and had camps different parts of the country including Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Tiverton. (Silver) is better than nothing, I guess. We had big aspiration."

The team makeup is from different parts of the Northeast. Most of the 20-man roster stems from New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Buffalo. Costa even scouted players from Texas, North Carolina and Florida.

"The best players in the country comes from the Northeast," said Costa, who coaches with assistant coach Tony Carreiro, also from Fall River. "The experience was a great time."

Local stars shine bright

Almeida, a Somerset native, led the United States team in scoring with nine points in six games. He was named the tournament's best forward. Barbosa, who is a Swansea native, plays strickly defense for the USA national team. He collected an assist in a win against Switzerland.

"They're both are high-level hockey players," said Costa, who resides in Berkley. "They played ball hockey from a young age, worked really hard over the last two years and really stepped their game up. (Drake) is a real good player, fast and athletic, one of the top five players under the age of 18 in the world. They are probably two of the best ball hockey players in the country."

When asked how was their experience of a lifetime overseas were, both Almeida, 17, and Barbosa, 17, were elated.

"It was amazing," Almeida said. "I went to Czechoslovakia last year but Slovakia was just as good if not better. Great experience, obviously. My family was happy and I think they had a great time, watching the games and exploring the city. It is definitely up there."

Barbosa added, "To me, it was the greatest experience that I've ever been a part of. Just an amazing group of kids and coaches. It was the best time I've ever had in my life. It was cool to be away and see another part of life. You can just tell like that living in America, we take things for granted.

Favorite foods

Besides the sightseeing of another country, team USA went around to various resturants. Both Almeida and Barbosa each had different views and made a comparison with food in their homeland.

"Actually, I want to say the food was better because it is more authentic," Almeida said. "It just tasted better. We went around to different America style places. My favorite was chicken broccoli alfredo."

"Honestly, the McDonald's over there was really good," Barbosa said. "It was nothing like ours and so much better. I'm not super picky but a lot of their foods did not seem or looked appetizing. When I went to the McDonald's, I was never not happy."

Almeida and Barbosa's trip came to an end on Sunday after week of fulfilled excitement they'll never forget. Almeida is a junior at Portsmouth Abbey school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Barbosa, a senior, attends La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island.

They're both hoping one day ball hockey makes its way to the Olympic stage.

"At the end of the day, the bond you build with these kids you can't replace it," Costa said. "The bonds are more than anything. That is what makes it so special. That's why you want to win."

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Chezsports

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: 'Greatest experience': Locals earn ball hockey medals in Slovakia