Winter sports bonds with Canada grow as Games near

A group of young ice hockey players marked the 30-day countdown to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics by playing a friendly game in Toronto on New Year’s Day.

Children from the Toronto Future Stars and Maple Stars, represented by players of Chinese and non-Chinese descent respectively, demonstrated their hockey skills during the game.

Jeanette Han, president of the Canada China Sports and Culture Exchange Center which organized the event, said the game was a great opportunity to promote winter sports exchanges between China and Canada.

“Sports and hockey have no boundaries. Canada is a mature ski country with rich resources and experiences of ice hockey. We hope more Chinese kids can learn from Canadian kids in ice hockey,” Han said.

Shin Li, head coach of the Toronto Future Stars, said playing such a fun game was the best way to welcome the Beijing Olympics.

“I am very glad to see a lot of Chinese Canadian hockey kids growing up and learning the best hockey of the world. We hope to promote hockey as a major sport in China during the next 10 years,” Li said.

Andrew Kalapaca, coach of the Maple Stars, said it was fantastic for the young children to play on the ice to welcome the Beijing Winter Olympics.

“We’re looking forward to the Games. It’s just great for the countries and every participant involved in the Games,” he said.

The 24th Winter Olympic Games will be open in Beijing on Feb 4.

Han Tao, the Chinese consul general in Toronto, attended the pregame ceremony and dropped the puck to start the game. He said the Beijing Olympics will be “green”, with all venues running on green energy.

“Canada is a powerhouse in ice and snow sports, and it has hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. The sports circles of China and Canada have always maintained good relations, with many exchanges in ice hockey and curling,” Han said.

“We hope that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games will further strengthen the cooperation of our two countries in ice and snow sports. It is our expectation that today’s players will visit China one day, exchange skills with young Chinese players, and become little envoys for China-Canada friendship.”

China’s successful bid for the Winter Olympics has already sparked people’s passion for ice and snow sports in the country. Around 300 million people have been encouraged to participate in winter sports since 2018, and ice hockey has struck a chord with them.

Huge market

Tim Pearson, manager of Bauer Hockey, who has been working in the ice hockey industry in Canada for more than 30 years, began focusing on China in 2017.

“Even if 1 percent of the 300 million people can put on a pair of skates, it (the market) will be bigger than North America combined,” said Pearson at a panel discussion late last year.

At least 8,000 players have registered with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, and Pearson said that does not include the registers of school programs and regional programs. Construction of ice rinks has also more than doubled in China in recent years, from 140 to 340.

Even during the pandemic, Pearson successfully developed business ties in China. He set up the infrastructure remotely with his Chinese partner.

“So now that the hockey season has started off pretty much to a high degree of normalcy ... we’re seeing games being played in China,” Pearson said.

Radley Mackenzie, founder of SinoSports Development & Radical eCoaching, has worked with families and education departments in China to help connect students with elite Canadian sports coaches.

“I think there’s no doubt that it’s been super exciting to see the passion come out of the parents and the kids, and it was a good time to be a young hockey player in China, because you get to meet all the stars in the field and work with them,” Mackenzie said.

Mackenzie believes that it is just the beginning for Chinese ice hockey, given how player numbers have increased, and there will be more opportunities for both players and markets.

“So the (Olympic) rings are coming, the Beijing 2022 Games will be a big boost,” he said. “And shortly after, you will see the local Chinese hero growing up (to be) the international hero in winter sports.”