Edina Lakers

The Lakers have enjoyed having non-American players in the locker room and on and off the ice.  It’s a great opportunity to exchange cultural experiences. Many of these players make life long friends with their Lakers’ teammates.

 

The Lakers have had players from Canada, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Russia, Australia, Austria, Holland, Sweden and Norway. It is best if the player can speak some English when arriving in the US.

 

Non-American players are eligible to move up to higher league levels (based on their demonstrated skills) – or traded - just like an American player. Conditions for a potential trade need to be discussed before their arrival.  If the player chooses to never be traded, this needs to be established before they arrive.

 

 

- The International Hockey Federation will charge the player $850 for a transfer fee to play in the US for one season.  This is non-refundable. This money is required to be paid before the player is allowed to play in any league-sanctioned game. The fee is not required for training and try-out camps prior to the normal playing season.

 

- The best and easiest visa is a visitor visa. Apply for the following dates:  August 10 through April 30. This allows the player some time to change travel dates if required.

 

- If a non-American is planning to attend a high school, college or university while playing for the Lakers, this needs to be established many months in advance.  The school will require a Toefl test score and the applicant will be required to pay non-resident tuition fees.  Additionally, the player will need a student visa.  A high school player may be charged as much as $10,000 for an academic year.  College classes could cost that same amount.

 

- Minnesota and Edina do not have public transportation in the community for a non-driving player.  As such, the non-American player without a driver's license will be depending on transportation from teammates, host family and/or staff.  We strongly recommend this player has a driver’s license from their own country.  Once here, we can help get him an international driver’s license from the local testing stations.  He will be allowed to drive a vehicle in Minnesota with this license. Most years, we are able to locate an automobile for the player to use during the season to drive to/from his host family’s house. This will require automobile insurance.  Insurance rates will be dependent on many things, but should average under $125 a month.

- Housing for the non-American player while playing for the Lakers will be arranged by the Lakers Billet Supervisor. There is a $350 per month cost - above the player tuition - for the billet program.