Kazakhstan celebrating after winning gold at the 2025 IIHF Men’s Asia Championship (IIHF)
The IIHF hosted the inaugural Asian Championships for both men and women, during the most recent international break. China, Japan, Kazakhstan, and South Korea all played in round robin tournaments to determine the champions.
This is the beginning of a cycle of competition that will be played until 2028. The goal is to allow the top Asian nations to play competitive matches during the season without having to travel across the world, like their European counterparts.
These events were also used as an exhibition for the upcoming 2025 Asian Winter Games, which will be played in Harbin, China, in February. It is projected that the top groups will be played amongst the same top four ranked nations in each category.
China playing Kazakhstan at the 2025 IIHF Men’s Asia Championship (IIHF)
Men’s Tournament
Kazakhstan came away victorious on home ice in Almaty, however it did not come easily. The Kazakhs, the top seeded team, were upset by South Korea in their opening match, 4-1. Despite the slow start, Kazakhstan rebounded to defeat China (6-1) and runners-up Japan (5-1).
Evgeny Rymarev, the top forward, and Evgeny Korolinsky were tied for the lead in points for Kazakhstan with 5 (2+3) in 3 games. Only Japan’s Taiga Irikura was ahead, with 4 goals and 1 assist. Japan also had the top defender in Riku Ishida, who is having a strong first season with HC Merano in the AlpsHL, while the top goaltender was 19-year-old Stephen Chen on China.
Defender Dmitry Breus on Kazakhstan was a standout, as he was was awarded honours as tournament MVP for the home team. The 20-year-old plays for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL and has been climbing the ranks of the national team. During the win against China, Breus scored his first hat-trick in senior competition, ultimately finishing as the defensive points leader.
Despite finishing in last place, China managed to pull off a significant upset against South Korea. It came in their final game, as the Chinese side won 2-1 in overtime, thanks to a goal by Zesen Zhang and 37 saves from the aforementioned Stephen Chen. This was the first win for China against South Korea in men’s action since the 2006 World Championship, however it was not enough to take over third place in the final standings.
Final Standings: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. Japan, 3. South Korea, 4. China
Women’s Tournament
The women’s tournament was dominated by Japan. A Top Division mainstay since 2019, Japan won all three games with a combined goal differential of 25-0. Easy wins against against South Korea (12-0) and Kazakhstan (8-0) set-up a final bout against host China. While it was by far their toughest challenge, Japan would win 5-0 and be crowned the inaugural Asian champions.
Despite none of their European league talent being available, the Japanese were still a step ahead of the competition. This was evident as the top eight scorers were all on Japan, highlighted by top forward Rui Ukita with 8 (4+4) points. Sitting in third with 7 (1+6) points was 18-year-old defender Kohane Sato, who had a massive breakout event and will likely be a key player in 2026 Olympic Qualification. The Japanese goaltenders were far from busy, as Riko Kawaguchi and Miyuu Masuhara faced a combined 19 shots over three matches.
There was strong fan support at the Shougang Ice Rink in Beijing. Games where host China was playing had crowds of 1,330 on average, with the final game bringing an attendance of 1,956.
Final Standings: 1. Japan, 2. China, 3. Kazakhstan, 4. South Korea
Japan celebrating after winning gold at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Championship (IIHF)
Future Developments
With the creation of this Asian Championship, fans can now imagine the possibility of the IIHF adding regional tournaments across other continents.
IIHF President Luc Tardif actually hinted towards that idea of the Women’s Asia Championship. “We’re taking the first steps here and using this platform to evaluate the impact in multiple areas. We may potentially organize more regional competitions and championships in the future. I thank the national federations and their Presidents for their commitment to working with us in this manner,” said Tardif.
It sounds like hockey fans and players should be excited about the future landscape of the international game.
Tolga Bozaci makes a glove save while playing for Türkiye (IIHF)
Tolga Bozaci made his debut with the Turkish Men’s National Team at the 2016 IIHF World Championship Division 3. By 2019, he had emerged as the nation’s starting goaltender. Unfortunately, that era is coming to an end, as Bozaci has announced his retirement from the sport of ice hockey at the age of 26.
The Kocaeli native retires with an 11-17 record, an 85.11 SV%, and a GAA of 4.26 in major international competition for Türkiye. He won a gold medal and promotion at the 2016 World Championship Division 3, later won silver medals at the 2019 Division 3 and 2022 Division 3A championships, and also earned a bronze medal in Division 3 in 2018. Bozaci also played a total of 16 games for the U18 and U20 national teams, where he would win gold medals at the 2015 U18 World Championship Division 3B and 2017 World Junior Championship D3.
Bozaci also had a successful domestic career in the Türkiye InterCity Süper Lig, from 2014 to 2024. He captured four Turkish titles with Zeytinburnu Belediye SK in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These victories resulted in five appearances in the IIHF Continental Cup, where he went 2-5-0 and had an 83.0 SV%.
This leaves the question in regards to who will replace Tolga Bozaci in net? It was just reported that Russian goaltender Savely Voronov has obtained Turkish citizenship and is eligible to represent the national team. Once Voronov makes his debut with Türkiye then he will become the first ever naturalized player in the national team’s history.
The 26-year-old, who was born in Tver, has played in the Türkiye InterCity Süper Lig since 2019. Voronov won championships with Buz Beykoz in 2020 and Buz Adamlar GSK in 2022.
Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana competing with the national team (Tadamasa Nagayama/IHAT)
The International Ice Hockey Federation has named the Queen of Thailand, Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, as the first IIHF Women’s Global Ambassador.
This unique moment was celebrated by playing an exhibition match between the women’s national teams of Thailand and China. Prior to the match, IIHF President Luc Tardif honoured Her Majesty with an honourary certificate, pin, and trophy. Afterward, both Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and King Maha Vajiralongkorn were gifted official IIHF jerseys.
With a packed crowd at the Ice Hockey Arena in Bangkok, the highlight of the match would certainly be Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana suiting up for the Thai National Team. This would mark the first time Her Majesty, aged 46, played in a game for Thailand. The final score ended in a 6-6 tie against the Chinese team, who are ranked 14th in the world.
The Queen wore the name “HMQ” on the back of her jersey (Tadamasa Nagayama/IHAT)
While it is not uncommon for politicians to support their country’s national teams, it is certainly rare to watch them throw on a jersey and compete. According to Garrett Zemlak, a coach in Thailand, “The Queen sometimes trains three times per week and will play scrimmages starting around midnight.” He continues to add that, “She really loves hockey and will skate with selected national team players until 3 a.m.”
There is no denying that this dedication to growing the sport of ice hockey in Thailand can help the country, along with those in the surrounding region, reach new heights. “Her Majesty’s commitment to promoting ice hockey, particularly among women, will inspire athletes from all over the world for generations to come,” says Tardif, who has the same beliefs as the prior statement.
The Queen receiving her award from IIHF President Luc Tardif (IIHF.com)
Last season saw both Thailand’s men’s and women’s national teams earn historic promotions at the IIHF World Championship. The men swept through Division 3, Group A with five wins in five games and will debut in Division 2 in 2025. Their women made a first ever appearance at the World Championship and dominated the Division 3, Group B tournament with a 4-0-0-0 record and 20-1 goal differential, en route to a gold medal win.
Roman Lyubimov playing for the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL (phantomshockey.com)
A shocking signing has taken place in the Emirates Ice Hockey League, the top men’s league in the United Arab Emirates, as former NHL forward Roman Lyubimov signed with the Galaxy Warriors for the 2024-25 season.
The 32-year-old previously played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2016-17 season, scoring 6 (4+2) points in 47 games. Once Lyubimov debuts in the EIHL, it will make him the third former NHLer to ever play in the league, after Shaone Morrisson (2020-2021) and Ilya Zubov (2022-2024).
First NHL goal vs Detroit:
Lyubimov spent last season playing for the Brûleurs de Loups de Grenoble in the Synerglace Ligue Magnus. He scored 34 (12+22) points in 35 games, also helping the club win the Coupe de France, by recording 5 (2+3) points in 4 games.
A native of Tver in the Tver Oblast, Lyubimov spent most of his career in his native Russia. Lyubimov captained Krasnaya Armiya Moskva to an MHL championship in 2011, went on to score 111 (53+58) points in 514 career games in the KHL, and won a bronze medal with Russia at the 2016 IIHF World Championship — contributing 8 (4+4) points in the tournament.
Bruno Idžan playing for the Croatian National Team (IIHF)
Bruno Idžan is an 18-year-old forward who represents Croatia internationally. He has already played 32 games, scoring 43 points, at the senior, U20, and U18 levels up until this point. Most notably, Idžan has won gold medals with Croatia at the 2022 World Junior Championship D2B, 2022 U18 World Championship D2B, 2023 World Junior Championship D2A, and 2024 World Championship D2A.
After spending the last three seasons playing junior hockey in Sweden, Idžan has returned home to Croatia and will play his first professional season with KHL Sisak. This will also be the inaugural season for Sisak in the Alps Hockey League. Prior to Sisak’s participation in Round 1 of the IIHF Continental Cup, where Idžan scored 7 (2+5) points in 3 games, I asked the forward questions about his goals for this season, the national team, and the current state of Croatian ice hockey.
Interview
Q: How did you first start playing hockey?
A: I started playing hockey mostly because there was a KHL/EBEL club in my home town Zagreb and I went to all their games and experienced high tier hockey very early. That’s why me and a lot of other kids from Zagreb started training hockey.
Bruno Idžanplaying for the Croatian U18 NationalTeam (IIHF)
Q: You have already played in 7 IIHF tournaments for Croatia. What has been your favourite moment(s)?
A: There is a lot of great moments for me and it is hard to pick just one, but if i had to choose, it would probably be winning the two U20 championships in a row in just two months. Because I think it happens very rarely and especially in a non-traditional hockey country like Croatia.
Q: How big of an inspiration is Borna Rendulić to Croatian hockey?
A: I think he is a big inspiration to probably every kid in Croatia in a sense that even though Croatia is such a non-hockey country everything is still possible with dedication and a bit of luck, and reaching the top is not impossible like you would think when you look at a country with no hockey opportunities like Croatia.
Q: You played junior hockey in Sweden for three seasons. How has that helped you develop as a player?
A: Everybody knows Sweden is one of the biggest hockey countries in the world, so I think it is safe to say that Sweden helped me very much in becoming a player that I am. I learned most of the hockey stuff I know in Sweden so it helped me a lot.
Q: What are your goals for your first professional season with KHL Sisak?
A: I don’t really know what to expect from the season, but I think we have a good team and chemistry in the team is very good, so I think we can go a long way. Some team goals are probably trying to reach the playoffs of the [AlpsHL] and some personal goals are just to get better and try to adjust to senior hockey.
Bruno Idžan after scoring a goal for KHL Sisak in the Continental Cup (KHL Sisak/Instagram)
Q: Do you believe that Croatia (or any Balkan nation) has the potential to one day compete with the best European teams?
A: To be honest, I don’t think we are in a great position as of right now, because we have no hockey schools, no infrastructure, and the situation is not overall great. I don’t think it’s impossible that it happens one day of course, but we are very far from it as of right now.
Bonus Q: What do you do outside of playing hockey?
A: I like doing a lot of other sports like tennis and basketball, and I just hang out with friends like every other guy my age (laughs).
Latvia’s men’s ice hockey team after qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics (Guntis Lazdans/IIHF)
After nearly a year of qualification competition, the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is nearly set!
Similarly to the 2022 tournament, Slovakia, Latvia, and Denmark won the final qualification groups to advance to the Olympics.
Group D
It was the Slovaks emerging victorious in Bratislava to earn a spot in the Olympic Games for a ninth consecutive time. The reigning bronze medalists had a few nervous moments in their qualification efforts, but finished with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record.
They began the tournament with a narrow 2-1 win over Austria, then beat down a resilient Hungary side 7-3, before clinching a qualifying spot by defeating Andrey Shutov and Kazakhstan, 3-1.
Forwards Marek Hrivík (1+2) and Martin Pospíšil (0+3) led the team with 3 points each, as 18 different players recorded at least 1 point. Samuel Hlavaj was fantastic in net, posting a 92.9 SV% in his 3 wins.
Standings
Slovakia | 3-0-0-0 | 9P | 12-5 GD
Kazakhstan | 2-0-0-1 | 6P | 8-6 GD
Austria | 0-1-0-2 | 2P | 6-7 GD
Hungary | 0-0-1-2 | 1P | 8-16 GD
Group E
The 2023 World Championship bronze medalists earned their ticket to Milano Cortina with ease. Latvia got the best of Slovenia, 4-2, then cruised to a 5-1 win over Ukraine, and lastly, handed Pierre-Édouard Bellemare and France a heartbreaking 5-2 loss.
This will be Latvia’s seventh Olympic birth, and it came with the help of just one NHL player. That was defender Uvis Jānis Balinskis and his 4 (1+3) points. Rodrigo Ābols, who will look to make the Philadelphia Flyers roster, and tournament MVP Kaspars Daugaviņš, also scored 4 points. Roberts Bukarts added 3 goals, and in exhibition play prior to the event, became the sixth player in national team history to score 100 points.
Kristers Gudļevskis, who is known for his heroic efforts against Canada at the 2014 Olympics, won all 3 games for the Latvians.
Standings
Latvia | 3-0-0-0 | 9P | 15-4 GD
France | 2-0-0-1 | 6P | 14-8 GD
Slovenia | 1-0-0-2 | 3P | 9-11 GD
Ukraine | 0-0-0-3 | 0P | 5-18 GD
Group F
Back in 2021, Denmark upset Norway in Oslo to qualify for their first ever Olympics. The Norwegians wanted to return the favour in Aalborg, but fell short to a Danish team that won 4-1.
With NHL players expected to participate at the 2026 Games, this would be the first time Denmark plays in a best-on-best tournament. It was not an easy qualification by any means, as both Great Britain and Japan — who miraculously got to overtime — pushed the Danes to their limits. A pair of late second period goals from Nicklas Jensen, along with 30 saves from Frederik Andersen, led them past Mats Zuccarello and Norway.
It would be wrong not to mention the appearance of brothers Markus Holton Lauridsen and Oliver Holton Lauridsen. Both players used their mother’s name “Holton” for the first time in a tournament. This was because she is dealing with a severe illness, but still wanted her sons to compete for the Olympic dream.
The projected groups for the men’s ice hockey tournament are as follow:
Group A: Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy
Group B: Finland, Germany, Czechia, Denmark
Group C: Russia*, United States, Slovakia, Latvia
At the current moment, Russia is still included in the tournament program. The final decision on their ongoing ban will be made in February of 2025. If the Russians are barred from Olympic participation, then the best second place team from the final qualification round will replace them. That nation is France — who are hosting in 2030.
The Florida Panthers after winning the 2024 Stanley Cup (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo)
From the most southern tip of Argentina in Ushuaia, to the bustling streets of Tashkent, hundreds of champions were crowned during the 2023-24 season. Many made history, such as the Florida Panthers winning their first Stanley Cup, while others, like Tampereen Tappara completing their three-peat, continued a streak of dominance.
Below is a list of the champions in every significant men’s, women’s, collegiate, and junior league from each continent!
Note: League Name [Country]: Winning Club (# of Titles) or (Division of league with multiple champions)
Africa – Men’s Leagues
Ramadani Championship [Egypt Other]: Anubis Ice Hockey Team (3)
Championnat Marocain de Hockey sur Glace [Morocco]: Rabat Capitals
South Africa Super League [South Africa]: TBD
Gauteng Premier Hockey League [South Africa Regional]: TBD
Western Province Ice Hockey League [South Africa Regional]: TBD
Africa – Women’s Leagues
South Africa Women’s Super League [South Africa]: Cape Town Queens (2)
Asia – Men’s Leagues
Multinational Leagues
Asia League Ice Hockey [JPN/KOR]: HL Anyang (8)
National Leagues
Armenian Hockey League [Armenia]: TBD
Bahraini Ice Hockey League [Bahrain]: Ministry of Interior
China Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament [China]: Beijing Ice Hockey
Beijing International Ice Hockey League [China Other]: Bears (3)
Hong Kong Ice Hockey League [Hong Kong]: Gold Club (3)
Hong Kong Amateur Hockey League [Hong Kong 2]: SWOT Hockey (2)
South China Ice Hockey League [Hong Kong Other]: Manulife Aces (2)
South China Ice Hockey League Division 3 [Hong Kong Other]: RBC Lions (3)
Indian National Championship [India]: UT Ladakh (1)
CEC Ice Hockey Championship [India Cup]: Ladakh Scouts Red (5)
Indonesia Ice Hockey League [Indonesia]: Batavia Demons
Iranian Hockey League [Iran]: Barez Tire Tehran (4)
Israel National Hockey League [Israel]: HC Ashdod Chiefs (5)
Israel National Hockey League Division 2 [Israel 2]: Yehud Lightning (2)
Israel National Hockey League Division 3 [Israel 3]: Haifa Hammers (1)
Israel Elite Hockey League [Israel Other]: Ashdod Dolphins (1)
Israeli U20 League [Israel Junior]: North Stars Metulla U20 (4)
All-Japan Ice Hockey Championship [Japan]: HC Nikkō Ice Bucks (3)
J-Ice League North [Japan Other]: Nippon Steel Muroran (4)
J-Ice League West [Japan Other]: Kagawa Ice Fellows (16)
Japan Intercollegiate Games [Japan Collegiate]: Toyo University (13)
Pro Hokei Ligasy [Kazakhstan]: Arlan Kokshetau (2)
Túngy Hokei Ligasy [Kazakhstan 2]: Unknown
Kazakhstan Hockey Cup [Kazakhstan Cup]: Humo Tashkent (1)
Vladimir Tsyplakov Cup [Belarus Cup 2]: Team Belarus U18 (2)
Belgische Beker [Belgium Cup]: HYC Herentals (14)
Belgian First Division [Belgium 2]: Chiefs Leuven-2 (4)
Belgian Division II [Belgium 3]: Antwerp Phantoms White (1)
Belgian Division III [Belgium 4]: Ghent Dragons
Belgian Division IV [Belgium 5]: HYC Funny Stars (1)
Bosanskohercegovacka Hokejaška Liga [Bosnia and Herzegovina]: HK Stari Grad Vukovi (7)
Darzhavno Parvenstvo [Bulgaria]: Irbis-Skate Sofia (8)
Kupa na Bŭlgariya [Bulgaria Cup]: Irbis-Skate Sofia (8)
Balkan League [Bulgaria 2]: Ice Devils Sofia (2)
Croatian Ice Hockey League [Croatia]: KHL Sisak (2)
Tipsport Extraliga [Czechia]: HC Oceláři Třinec (6)
Chance Liga [Czechia 2]: VHK Vsetín (1)
Czech 2.liga [Czechia 3]: Piráti Chomutov (1)
Krajské hokejové přebory [Czechia 4]: HC Rakovník (Central Bohemia), HC Kohouti Česká Třebová (Hradec Králové), HC Autocentrum Jičín (Liberec), MHK Slovan Orlová (North Moravia), HC Rebel město Nejdek (Plzeň), TJ Hluboká nad Vltavou (South Bohemia), SK Prostějov 1913 (South Moravia), SK Kadaň (Ústí nad Labem), HC Chotěboř (Vysočina)
Krajske souteze muzu [Czechia 5]: TJ Sokol Březina (Blansko Okres), HAS Jihlava (Jihlava Okres), HC Chotíkov (KSM Plzenskeho kraje sk. A), TJ Město Zbiroh (KSM Plzenskeho kraje sk. B), HC Spartak Žebrák B (KSM Plzenskeho kraje sk. C), HC Příbram B (KSM Stredoceskeho), Milo Olomouc (Olomouc Okres), SKA Napajedla (Zlín Okres)
Pražské Ligy Ledního Hokeje [Czechia Other]: HC Smečka Sion (Group 1), Rednecks (Group 2), Zličín Hockey Represent (Group 3), HC Cheza Praha (Group 4)
CCM liga [Czechia Other]: TJ Bohemians Praha (2)
Metal Ligaen [Denmark]: SønderjyskE Ishockey (10)
Metal Cup [Denmark Cup]: SønderjyskE Ishockey (5)
1. Division [Denmark 2]: Esbjerg IK II (1)
2. Division (Denmark 3): Unknown
Meistriliiga [Estonia]: Narva HK PSK (3)
Tallinna Harrastajate Hokiliiga [Estonia 2]: HC Tigers (Group 1), HK Vipers (Group 2), Wild Vepr (Group 3), HK Kakumäe Kullid (Group 4)
Liiga [Finland]: Tampereen Tappara (13) (20 Finnish Titles)
Mestis [Finland 2]: Iisalmen Peli-Karhut (1)
Suomi-sarja [Finland 3]: Nokian Pyry (2)
II-Divisioona [Finland 4]: TuusKi (Lohko 1), Kiekko-Ahma (Lohko 2), Malax IF (Lohko 3), PEPO HC (Lohko 4), Laser HT (Lohko 5), Turku Chiefs (Lohko 6)
Zesde Divisie [Netherlands 7]: Hijs Hokij Den Haag Herons (1)
EliteHockey Ligaen [Norway]: Storhamar (8)
1. divisjon [Norway 2]: Narvik Hockey (4)
2. divisjon [Norway 3]: Manglerud Star (1)
3. divisjon [Norway 4]: Nesøya IL (East), IHK Stavanger (South/West)
4. divisjon [Norway 5]: Nes IK
5. divisjon [Norway 6]: Lørenskog 2 (1)
Tauron Polska Hokej Liga [Poland]: Unia Oświęcim (9)
Puchar Polski [Poland Cup]: GKS Tychy (10)
Superpuchar Polski [Poland SuperCup]: GKS Tychy (4)
Mlodziezowa Hokej Liga [Poland 2]: Naprzód Janów (5)
Polish 2. Liga [Poland 3]: KS Hockey Team Oświęcim (1)
Polish 3. Liga [Poland 4]: KH Warszawa Capitals II (3)
Campeonato Nacional Hoquei no Gelo 3×3 [Portugal]: HC Porto (1)
Campionatul National de Seniori [Romania]: CSM Corona Brașov (6)
Cupa Romaniei la Hochei pe gheaţă [Romania Cup]: CSM Corona Brașov (4)
Vysshaya Hokkeinaya Liga [Russia 2]: Neftyanik Almetyevsk (2)
Night Hockey League [Russia Other]: Pioneer Yekaterinburg (40+), Filigran Novosibirsk (50+), Meteor Moskva (Dreams League 18+), Wolfram-A Vostok (Hopes League 18+)
Jamaica after winning the 2024 Challenger Series (joshmaillouxphotography/Instagram)
Jamaica have been crowned champions of the inaugural Challenger Series, following an exciting 12-8 victory over Lebanon in the finals!
The Challenger Series was created this past spring and included the men’s national teams of Jamaica, Lebanon, and Puerto Rico. These teams — who are all ineligible to participate in the IIHF World Championship due to a lack of rinks or leagues — played in a round-robin tournament, and then a playoff, across three cities in North America.
Chicago (18-21 April) and New York (06-09 June) both hosted six games of the event, as the three teams played a total of eight games each to determine seeding for the final round. Jamaica, who led the way with a 5-3 record, earned a bye to the finals in Oshawa. This left Lebanon (4-4) and Puerto Rico (3-5) battling it out in the semifinals. It was the Lebanese side that prevailed with a 9-3 victory, but, of course, fell short of the ultimate prize.
This was a significant accomplishment for the Jamaican National Team, as they continue to put up strong results in international play. The Jamaicans previously captured a gold medal in their international debut at the 2019 Amerigol Latam Cup, where they defeated Colombia in the finals in a shootout, 3-2.
Despite having no ice rink on the island of less than three million residents, Jamaica is now 16-5 with a 151-78 goal differential against other national teams. It should be noted that almost all members of these successful Jamaican teams have been Canadians and Americans with Jamaican heritage. Most notable would be San Jose Sharks forward Givani Smith, who made his debut with the team in the final round. OHL defenders Taos Jordan and Maleek McGowan — who were both born in Ontario — were also key contributors to this Challenger Series triumph. Regardless of their lack of Jamaican-born talent, this team’s success is still mightily impressive, and it shines light on ice hockey’s growth on a global scale.
Tournament Scores:
Jamaica 6 – 11 Lebanon
Lebanon 2 – 3 Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico 3 – 6 Jamaica
Lebanon 6 – 7 Jamaica
Puerto Rico 4 – 3 Lebanon
Jamaica 5 – 4 Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico 2 – 5 Lebanon
Jamaica 11 – 2 Puerto Rico
Lebanon 6 – 4 Jamaica
Puerto Rico 3 – 6 Lebanon
Jamaica 5 – 7 Puerto Rico
Lebanon 4 – 8 Jamaica
Lebanon 9 – 3 Puerto Rico (Semifinal)
Jamaica 12 – 8 Lebanon (Final)
A Lebanese and Jamaican player taking a picture together after the finals (joshmaillouxphotography/Instagram)
It should also be noted that the Greek Heritage Team joined the Challenger Series for the final leg in Oshawa. However, their results only counted as exhibitions because they missed the first two rounds. The Greek squad, made up of Canadians and Americans of Greek descent, dominated with wins over Lebanon (11-6), champions Jamaica (7-3), and Puerto Rico (16-0). A prospect of the Dallas Stars, Cornell University defender George Fegaras, was notably a member of the team.
Lebanon and the Greek Heritage Team will both be in action in the Men’s Division 1 tournament at the 2024 Amerigol Latam Cup in Coral Springs, Florida, from 21-25 August. Meanwhile, the next matches for Jamaica and Puerto Rico are still to be determined.
Dalene Rhode wearing the “C” with South Africa for the first time in 2024 (IIHF)
Dalene Rhode is one of the most inspirational players in all of women’s ice hockey. Her long-lasting commitment to the South African National Team since 2011 cannot be ignored. This past season saw the 30-year-old forward be honoured as the team’s captain for a first time. Rhode is South Africa’s all-time leader in goals (36) at the World Championship, while ranked second in points (54), and third in games played (53).
In this interview, Rhode discusses her time playing the sport in South Africa, the development of the country’s national teams, and more about her career accomplishments.
Interview
Q: When did you first begin playing ice hockey and what was your inspiration?
A: I first began my journey on the ice as both a figure skater and an ice hockey player when I was 5.5 years old. Early and late public skating sessions were where it all began for me. Being that young, I didn’t think much of it; I just loved the feeling of gliding on the ice and quickly became comfortable with skating. As I developed my skills in both figure skating and ice hockey, figure skating played a massive role in shaping my skating technique that I continue to benefit from to this day.
Discovering ice hockey at the rink was a natural progression for me. Watching players like Hilary Knight, Kelly Stack, Julie Chu, and Hayley Wickenheiser showcased their speed, skill, and dedication to the game. Hilary Knight, in particular, became my favourite player. Her incredible talent, work ethic, and leadership on and off the ice have been a constant inspiration to me. As I reached my teens, her achievements in the sport motivated me to pursue ice hockey with equal fervour.
I owe my introduction to ice skating to my mother, who took me to those early and late public skating sessions. Her support and encouragement were instrumental. In fact, she was approached to sign me up for skating, which set me on this incredible journey in sports.
Balancing both sports, I dedicated myself to learning and improving in each. They quickly became central parts of my life, each contributing unique aspects to my overall development as an athlete.
Dalene Rhode after winning the 2023 South Africa Women’s Super League with the Gauteng Huskies (SAIHF)
Q: South Africa had a difficult season, being relegated from D2B. What must be done to return to that level?
A: Returning to Division II Group B will require a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, we need to enhance our training programs. This means focusing not just on individual skills, but also on team dynamics and strategies. Ensuring our playersare in top physical and mental condition is crucial, so we’ll be implementing rigorous conditioning programs.
Developing our younger players coming into the team is another priority. By providing more opportunities for these young athletes to train and compete at higher levels, we can build a strong foundation for the future. Additionally, we need to leverage the expertise of our local coaches. They understand the unique aspects of our team and can provide tailored guidance and strategies.
We also need to gain more international exposure. Participating in international tournaments and friendly matches will help our players gain experience and learn different playing styles. Alongside this, developing and practicing strategic game plans tailored to our team’s strengths and weaknesses will be important.
Community and financial support will play a big role as well. Garnering support from the local community and securing sponsorships or funding will ensure we have the necessary resources for training, equipment, and travel.
Lastly, it’s crucial that we learn from our past mistakes. Analysing our previous games to identify areas for improvement will help us make the necessary adjustments to come back stronger.
With a concerted effort in these areas, I believe we can make significant progress and aim for a successful return to Division II Group B.
Q: You spent the 2015-16 season playing for the Bözen Eagles in Italy. How was that experience and how does the level there compare to South Africa?
A: Playing for the Bözen Eagles in Italy during the 2015-16 season was a pivotal experience that highlighted the stark differences between European ice hockey and the women’s game in South Africa. In Italy, I was immersed in a highly competitive environment where hockey is deeply ingrained in the culture. The level of play was exceptional, with rigorous training, advanced coaching techniques, and a strong emphasis on strategic gameplay.
Comparatively, women’s ice hockey in South Africa faces significant developmental challenges. The infrastructure and resources for training and competition are limited, which impacts the overall level of play and coaching standards. South Africa also lacks the exposure to international competition, as our geographical distance from other hockey nations limits opportunities for players to experience and learn from different playing styles and standards. We primarily participate in one international tournament, the IIHF, due to these constraints.
Additionally, funding is a major hurdle that restricts us from gaining more exposure through participation in international tournaments. Unlike the resources available in Europe, securing adequate funding for travel and participation expenses remains a significant challenge for us.
On a personal level, the experience with the Bözen Eagles was incredibly enriching. The team was welcoming and inclusive, involving me in all activities both on and off the ice. Despite the language barrier—since the coach spoke German—I found their support invaluable, especially in helping me understand and execute drills effectively. My ability to interpret and apply the strategies drawn out in drills improved significantly, which enhanced my performance and enjoyment of the game.
My time in Italy not only expanded my hockey skills but also broadened my cultural understanding and adaptability. It was a privilege to be part of a team that embraced diversity and fostered a supportive environment, both of which contributed to my growth as a player and as a person.
Moving forward, I am committed to using my experiences to advocate for women’s ice hockey in South Africa and to help overcome the challenges of funding and international exposure that our players face.
Dalene Rhode after winning the Italian Championship in 2016 (Simone Femia)
Q: You have represented South Africa since 2011. What has been your greatest achievement(s) with the national team?
A: Representing South Africa since 2011 has been an incredible journey filled with memorable achievements and personal growth. One of my greatest achievements with the national team, and one that every teammate would echo, is winning gold in 2019 in Bulgaria. This accomplishment stands as a pinnacle moment in my career because it symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.
Winning Gold in Bulgaria was not just about the medal itself, but the journey and the challenges we overcame as a team. It was a testament to our resilience and determination to succeed on the international stage, despite facing significant hurdles along the way. The victory not only boosted our confidence but also put South African women’s ice hockey on the map, demonstrating our potential and competitive spirit.
This achievement remains a source of immense pride for me personally and for everyone involved in the team. It signifies the progress we’ve made and motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in every game and tournament we participate in. It’s moments like these that reaffirm my passion for the sport and my commitment to representing South Africa with pride and determination.
South Africa after winning gold at the 2019 Women’s World Championship Division 3 (IIHF)
Q: Do you believe that ice hockey is developing in South Africa? What could be done to improve the level of men’s, women’s, and junior teams?
A: Yes, ice hockey is growing in South Africa, though it faces unique challenges. To improve our men’s, women’s, and junior teams, we need to focus on several key areas: enhancing infrastructure and facilities, expanding coaching programs, increasing participation through grassroots initiatives, and securing sustainable funding. SAIHA is continually striving to secure more funding, but this remains a significant challenge within our country and federation. Investing in an international coach has proven crucial; for instance, our men’s program recently invested in an international coach, resulting in noticeable improvements in the team’s style and skill level.
Bonus Q: What do you do besides play hockey?
A: Besides playing hockey, I recently started playing padel, and it quickly became my new favourite sport outside of ice hockey. Padel has been a refreshing addition to my activities, offering a different kind of physical and strategic challenge. It’s not only enjoyable but also helps me stay active and improve my coordination, which complements my hockey training.
My mom signed me up for so many sports when I was younger, so I enjoy and try every sport, including hikes, soccer, tennis, and rugby. I’m quite competitive, so any sport I can master, I aim to compete in! (laughs) Exploring these activities has been both fun and rewarding, providing me with diverse experiences and keeping me motivated both on and off the ice.
Bonus Q: Whenever retirement comes, would you have any interest in coaching?
A: Of course, I would love to give back through coaching. Currently, I assist whenever I can, and it’s a role I find incredibly rewarding. My main passion for after retirement, though, will be officiating. If possible, I would love to officiate in international tournaments while still playing, but unfortunately, the rules do not allow for both simultaneously. I’ve been told that I would need to retire from playing internationally to officiate overseas, and that’s a tough decision to consider. In the meantime, I enjoy officiating local games and plan to continue until I can be assigned to officiate at higher levels.
Dalene Rhode celebrates after scoring a goal for South Africa (IIHF)
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Stian Solberg playing for Norway (Norges Ishockeyforbund)
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft took place this past weekend in Paradise, Nevada. It was an entertaining two days, loaded with surprising moves and league-altering decisions. There were also plenty of headlines from an international standpoint!
Macklin Celebrini being selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks was anything but a shock. The Boston University star led Canada’s World Junior team in scoring this past season and then became one of the youngest players to ever make an appearance with senior team, but was cut prior to the World Championship.
Celebrini became the 45th Canadian player to ever be selected at first overall. In total, Canada led the way with 89 players drafted, followed by the United States with 39. Since the inaugural NHL Draft in 1963, no nation has been able to top Canada when it comes to the number of players picked.
Macklin Celebrini celebrating a goal with Canada at the 2023 U18 World Championship (Juri Pestelacci/Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks then made history when they selected Michigan State University defender Artsiom Leushunou at second overall. This made Leushunou the highest drafted Belarusian of all-time, surpassing the previous record held by the late Ruslan Salei, who was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at 9th overall in 1996.
Belarus then had forward Ilya Protas selected by the Washington Capitals at 75th overall, before goaltender Pavel Moysevich became the third and final Belarusian drafted, by the Vegas Golden Knights with pick 83. This comes one year after Belarus had a record five players drafted in 2023. The nation has also now extended their streak of having at least one player drafted every year since 2016.
Artsiom Leushunou playing for Belarus at the 2022 World Junior Championship (arty_levshunov/Instagram)
More history was made later in the first round, as Norwegian National Team forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård became the first ever player from Norway selected in the first round of the draft, when the Detroit Red Wings drafted him at 15th overall. Shortly later, the Anaheim Ducks drafted Brandsegg-Nygård‘s international counterpart in defender Stian Solberg with the 23rd overall selection.
Defender Ludvig Lafton was drafted 190th overall (Utah Hockey Club) and forward Noah Steen at 199th overall (Tampa Bay Lightning) to give Norway a record of four players selected in a single NHL Draft.
Switzerland had themselves an impressive draft, with four different players being drafted. EV Zug defender Leon Muggli led the way by being selected with pick 52 by the Washington Capitals. Christian Kirsch became the first Swiss goaltender drafted since Akira Schmid in 2018, with the San Jose Sharks taking him at pick 116.
After having zero players drafted in 2023, three Latvians had their names called in this year’s draft. The Washington Capitals drafted forward Ēriks Mateiko at 90th overall, before goaltender Mikus Vecvanags went to the Montréal Canadiens at 134th, and the Anaheim Ducks took a chance on defender Darels Uļjanskis with pick 214.
Utah Hockey Club drafted defender Gregor Biber at 98th overall, as Austria now has a streak of layers being drafted in three consecutive years. Forward Vasili Zelenov — who was born is Moskva but carries an Austrian passport — was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 204th overall pick
Slovakia’s drafted players streak was extended to eight years when the Washington Capitals used their 212th overall pick on forward Miroslav Šatan Jr., the son of Slovak Men’s National Team general manager Miroslav Šatan.
Olympiques de Gatineau defender Jan Goličič was drafted at 118th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning — making him the first Slovenian drafted since Jan Drozg in 2017.
Jan Goličič playing for Slovenia at the 2023 U18 World Championship (jan_golicic/Instagram)
Another significant selection was when Kevin He was picked by the Winnipeg Jets at 109th overall. The forward was born in Beijing and is now the highest drafted Chinese-born player of all-time, although he has not represented them internationally. Kamloops Blazers defender Harrison Brunicke, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 44th overall pick, then became the second ever South African-born player drafted into the NHL. Similarly to Olaf Kölzig, the first South African drafted in 1989, Brunicke does not play for their national team.
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(Winter & Summer Champion)
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