In their freshman year, the enthusiastic members of Hebei Media College’s ice hockey team began their journey with roller hockey but transferred to the ice by their junior year. Dong Chuanyu, a dedicated team member, reflects on their evolution: “We were captivated by the National College Ice Hockey Championship in our junior year, which prompted our switch to ice hockey. Since then, we've competed in all three editions.”
In the 3rd National College Ice Hockey League, Hebei Media College advanced to the finals after dominating their group stage with remarkable performance. Transitioning from roller to ice hockey, the team has developed a unique playing style that sets them apart in the collegiate league and underscores their commitment, having participated in every edition so far.
The National College Ice Hockey Championship has seen a significant evolution, transitioning from a championship format to a comprehensive league system following the successful execution of its first two editions. This upgrade has significantly enhanced its stature and reach. This change has spurred an increase in the number of colleges and universities fielding ice hockey teams, with participation soaring to 17 teams. This expansion reflects a notable enhancement in the scale and competitiveness of the League.
2021 “War Horse Cup” 3rd National College Ice Hockey League
Industry experts highlight the League's critical role in elevating ice hockey from a niche sport to a celebrated national event. It provides a vital link for students who start playing in middle school to advance through high school and onto national competitions in college. This continuity is essential for nurturing professional talent and supports the broader goal of popularizing ice hockey in China.
The League is proudly hosted by the China University Sports Association and exclusively managed by Beijing Aozhong Sports Development Co., Ltd. Aozhong Sports, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the comprehensive packaging solution provider ORG, is deeply invested in fostering the sustainable growth of ice hockey across the nation.
Zhou opens the 2018 ORG-NHL China Game
Zhou Yunjie, the chairman of ORG, emphasized the nascent stage of ice hockey in China compared to established sports like football and basketball, noting significant opportunities for growth in talent development and industry value. To overcome development hurdles, the way is to enhance supply capacity, create resonant ice hockey IP, and integrate successful practices from abroad.
ORG's commitment to sports, particularly ice hockey, began in 2015 with a landmark partnership with the Boston Bruins by becoming their exclusive marketing partner in China. This initiative was followed by collaboration with the NHL to host games in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen over the next two years, significantly boosting the sport's profile in China.
In 2018, Aozhong Sports partnered with Kunlun Red Star Ice Hockey Club to co-found a team that participated in the Silk Road Hockey League (SRHL) for the 2018-19 season. By the 2019-20 season, ORG took on the team’s operation independently, establishing the ORG Ice Hockey Team to continue competition.
ORG Ice Hockey Club in 2019-20 Season
ORG is not only integrating top-tier international ice hockey resources but is also pioneering in areas such as youth ice hockey training, competition sponsorship, international exchanges, and elite player management.
A cornerstone of these initiatives is the Beijing Little Kings, a youth hockey training project launched in September 2018. Developed in partnership with Aozhong Sports and the Los Angeles Kings, the program is designed to ignite passion for ice hockey among young people. Zhou describes the project's vision: "Our goal is to foster a deep, lasting interest in ice hockey among children, establishing a standardized, enduring, and sustainable training system."
The impact of these efforts is already evident as more young people embrace ice hockey. Encouraged by robust national promotion and the active hosting of competitions, ice hockey is gaining popularity across the country, and its fan base is steadily growing.
2nd National College Ice Hockey Championship Sunshine Group Champion Heihe College Team
Zhou concluded, "By leveraging top-tier resources from the NHL, we are accelerating our sports industry initiatives, deepening partnerships across social, educational, and professional spheres, and building a robust ecosystem to support the strategic vision of transforming China into a strong sports nation."
Source: China Economic Weekly
