Former Gryphon hockey player finds great success in Europe
Born and raised in Toronto, Marcel Kars has enjoyed a decorated hockey career, with several European countries marked along the way. Before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Kars was a dominant force for the Guelph Gryphons varsity men’s hockey team. Kars also played one season with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League before making the switch to collegiate hockey. “I was at the end of my junior career and it was time to move on,” Kars explained of the transition from the OHL to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). “University hockey combines both hockey and education, so when you’re done your career you have something to fall back on.”
When deciding to attend the University of Guelph, hockey was still very much on Kars mind, and for good reason. “[Guelph] came highly recommended, and [the Gryphons] had just won the Championship the year before,” Kars explained of his initial attraction to the university. Mixing in the education factor, Kars said he felt comfortable with Guelph as he had experience teaching hockey schools on campus during previous summers.
In four seasons and 94 games as a Gryphon, Kars put up 48 goals, and 46 assists, averaging out to a point a game throughout his collegiate career. A force to be reckoned with down the middle of the ice, Kars credits a lot of his development and success to Wayne Tucker, a strong influence from his time spent as a Gryphon. “[Tucker] worked with me for many years with extra ice time and drills. He helped complete my game,” Kars explained, referring to Tucker as his mentor on and off the ice. “We would swap stories every day at the rink, we even had class together.”
In 2002, a year after graduating from the University of Guelph, Kars – the son of Dutch immigrants – took off for the Netherlands to play for the Amsterdam Tigers. In his first four years in the country of his ancestry, Kars would play three seasons with the Tigers, and one for the Amsterdam Bulldogs, resulting in three Beker Cups and three land championships.
One particularly fond memory for Kars is the championship game with the Bulldogs, during which Kars scored both goals in a 2-1 victory in the last game of the playoffs.
Kars stepped away from the Netherlands non-elite league – the Hlnd – for two years, playing one year in Italy and another in Germany before returning to the Hlnd league in 2007-08 where he has played since.
Kars also spent a summer in 2006 with the Newcastle North Stars in Australia, where he participated in (arguably) the best game of his hockey career. The North Stars defeated the Canberra Knights in a 21-2 victory, with Kars hitting the score sheet 12 times, recording eight goals, and four assists. Another championship would be added to Kars resume with the North Stars that summer, with the former Gryphon as the league’s leading scorer.
With Kars averaging at least a point per game consistently throughout his career, Kars was an obvious choice for the Netherlands International squad, representing his country in ten world championships, and two Olympic Qualifiers to date. As the captain for several years now, Kars is simply humbled to be able to represent his country. “Playing for my country is a great honour,” Kars explained. “I have been fortunate to play in so many places, it’s just a great experience. I still love to play, and will play as long as I can.”
With a career that has seen multiple championships, awards and several different countries and leagues, it would be difficult to pinpoint one particular experience or accomplishment as defining. However, Kars does have a proudest moment. “Last year with the [Netherlands], I scored six goals in three games and won the scoring title for the tournament,” Kars explained. “I also scored the penalty shot winner against Hungary to move to the final round of the Olympic Qualification.”
Beyond scoring titles, Kars remembers his season in 2006-07 spent in Italy playing for the Bolzano Future as an incredible experience.
Evidently not a person who gives up easily, the 36-year-old Toronto native is somebody who never loses sight of his true passion in life. Rare qualities of determination and undeniable passion led Kars to travel the world doing what he loves most, something a lot of people can only dream of doing. “It’s all about discipline and perseverance,” Kars explained. “You have to continue to grow and work hard at all times. Hard work and focus will get you where you want to be.” Spoken like a true Gryphon.