Ice hockey is a sport that has gained popularity worldwide, with many countries having their own national teams and local leagues. However, there are still some places where you might not expect to see ice hockey being played. In this blog post, we will explore some places where ice hockey is played that might surprise you.
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Dubai is a desert city known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and warm climate. But in recent years, ice hockey has become a popular sport in the city. The Dubai Mighty Camels, a local ice hockey team, is one of the best in the United Arab Emirates.
Kenya - Nairobi
Kenya is a country known for its wildlife, national parks, and beaches. But in Nairobi, the capital city, ice hockey has been played since the 1980s. The Nairobi Ice Lions are the first ice hockey team in Kenya, and they have inspired the growth of the sport across the country.
Mexico - Mexico City
Mexico is known for its love of soccer and other warm weather sports. However, ice hockey has gained a following in Mexico City. The city has several ice rinks, and the national team has participated in international competitions.
Australia - Perth
Australia is known for its love of sports like rugby and cricket, but ice hockey has also found a place in the country. Perth, in Western Australia, is home to the Perth Thunder, a professional ice hockey team.
South Africa - Johannesburg
South Africa is another country where ice hockey is not a traditional sport. But in Johannesburg, there is a growing interest in the sport, and the city has several ice rinks. The South African national team has also participated in international competitions.
China - Harbin
China has been investing heavily in winter sports in recent years, as it prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. One of the cities where ice hockey is particularly popular is Harbin, in the northeast of the country. Harbin has hosted several international ice hockey tournaments, and the city has a long history of winter sports.
India - Ladakh
Ladakh is a remote region in northern India, known for its mountainous terrain and cold climate. Ice hockey has been played in the region for decades, and the Ladakh Scouts, a local ice hockey team, has won several national championships.
Israel - Metula
Israel is not a country that is known for winter sports, but in the northern town of Metula, ice hockey has become a popular sport. The Canada Centre, a large ice rink complex, hosts international ice hockey tournaments and training camps.
Spain - Jaca
Spain is famous for its beaches and warm weather, but in the town of Jaca, in the Pyrenees Mountains, ice hockey is a popular sport. The town has hosted several international ice hockey tournaments, and the Spanish national team has played in the Winter Olympics.
New Zealand - Queenstown
New Zealand is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. In Queenstown, a town on the South Island, ice hockey has become a popular sport. The Queenstown Ice Hockey Club has several teams and offers training for players of all levels.
Argentina - Buenos Aires
Argentina is known for its passion for soccer, but in Buenos Aires, the capital city, ice hockey has been gaining popularity in recent years. There are several ice rinks in the city, and the Argentine Ice Hockey Federation has been working to develop the sport across the country.
Thailand - Bangkok
Thailand is a tropical country known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather, but in Bangkok, ice hockey is a growing sport. The city has several ice rinks, and the Thai national team has participated in international competitions.
Brazil - Sao Paulo
Brazil is known for its love of soccer, but in Sao Paulo, the largest city in the country, ice hockey has been played since the 1990s. The city has several ice rinks, and the Brazilian Ice Sports Federation has been working to promote the sport across the country.
Greece - Athens
Greece is famous for its ancient history and sunny beaches, but in Athens, ice hockey is a popular sport. The city has several ice rinks, and the Greek national team has participated in international competitions.
Jamaica - Kingston
Jamaica is known for its reggae music and warm climate, but in Kingston, ice hockey is a growing sport. The city has a small ice rink, and the Jamaican Ice Hockey Federation has been working to develop the sport across the country.
Singapore
Singapore is a small island city-state known for its shopping and food, but it also has a growing ice hockey scene. The city has several ice rinks, and the Singapore Ice Hockey Association has been working to promote the sport across the country.
Portugal - Lisbon
Portugal is known for its beaches and sunny weather, but in Lisbon, ice hockey has been played since the 1990s. The city has several ice rinks, and the Portuguese Ice Hockey Federation has been working to develop the sport across the country.
South Korea - Goyang
South Korea is known for its love of soccer and baseball, but in the city of Goyang, ice hockey is a popular sport. The city has several ice rinks, and the South Korean national team has participated in international competitions.
In conclusion, ice hockey is a sport that has found a following in some unexpected places. From the deserts of Dubai to the mountains of Ladakh, ice hockey has brought people together and created a sense of community. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, we may see more surprising places where ice hockey is played.
