Chinese player makes a little hockey history

China’s Zhang Xinyue claimed a silver medal in the women’s mixed team 3-on-3 ice hockey competition at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne on Wednesday.

Zhang was part of Team Black in the event, which teams players from different countries and regions together. The competition was introduced to the Games by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee in a bid to give developing hockey nations a chance to play at a high-level event.

Zhang and Team Black suffered a 1-6 defeat to

Team Yellow in the final, but the 15-year-old was thrilled to make history — initially as the first Chinese player to participate in ice hockey at a Winter Youth Olympics, and then as the first to win China’s maiden Olympic medal in the sport.

“Before I came to Lausanne, I couldn’t have imagined this could happen,” said Zhang. “I am proud of standing here with a medal to represent my country. It will be the motivation for me to keep playing hockey.

“I want to share this medal with my Chinese teammates, and I have really enjoyed playing in

Team Black during this tournament.”

Zhang was selected for the Games by the IIHF’s sport department after passing a series of skill tests conducted by the Chinese Ice Hockey Association.

Team Blue beat Team Brown 6-4 to take the bronze medal.

In the men’s competition, Team Green won the gold with a 10-4 victory over Team Red, while Team Brown edged Team Black with a last-second winner to bag the bronze medal.