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Ice Hockey in China: A Historical Overview
In a fascinating historical context, ice hockey has been played in China for over a century, with records indicating its introduction in Shenyang as early as 1915, predating the NHL by several years. However, despite a rich history, ice hockey in China has struggled to gain traction, marked by a scant 1,100 registered players in a population exceeding 1.4 billion.
NHL’s Engagement with China
The NHL’s engagement with China began over a decade ago, spearheaded by the New York Islanders‘ establishment of an office in Harbin back in 2005, eventually leading other teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks to conduct youth development clinics in the nation. However, none ventured as boldly as the San Jose Sharks did a decade earlier, diving into the developing landscape with their China Sharks program.
The China Sharks Program
Chris Collins, who served as the General Manager of the China Sharks from 2007 to 2009, recalled how his journey began in 2005 through an unexpected encounter with the Chinese Winter Sports Bureau concerning video streaming technology. This led to discussions about enhancing hockey in China.
By 2006, he was advocating for an NHL team to get involved, with the Sharks being favored due to his connections and past work tie with the organization.
Challenges Faced
Despite the Sharks’ enthusiasm, the lack of infrastructure for hockey was apparent. From 2004 to 2007, local professional teams in China had a combined total of merely 29 wins out of 228 games, struggling under the dominance of teams from Japan and South Korea. In 2007, the Sharks assembled the China Sharks, combining players from two struggling Chinese teams to form what was essentially a national team. Initial efforts were promising when they triumphed in their first game, only to be followed by a significant downward spiral, losing 11 of the next 12 matches.
The operational challenges grew evident quickly. Collins recounted his direct conflicts with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) over player compensation and management interference. Issues with accommodations, training, and logistics led players, including standout goaltender Zach Sikich, to face frustrating realities that were far from professional standards they anticipated.
Improvements and Developments
Despite these obstacles, improvements soon became evident, particularly when the Sharks relocated to Shanghai for the 2008-09 season. This move granted them better facilities and a greater ability to foster a cohesive team environment. The Sharks gradually began to garner a fanbase, demonstrating the potential for hockey to capture the local interest.
Over time, veteran NHL players like Claude Lemieux joined the team, adding experience and professionalism, which significantly influenced the Sharks’ on-ice practices and dynamics. They began to show improvement in their performance, achieving more wins in fewer games than the previous season. However, the tensions with CIHA continued to loom, largely centered on control over player development and finances.
Decline and Future Prospects
By 2009, the Sharks had grown frustrated enough with the CIHA that they parted ways, resulting in a decline in the Chinese hockey program as the CIHA struggled to replicate the momentum the Sharks had created. Since their departure, China’s national program has faced challenges in advancing on the international stage.
Today, as China prepares to host the 2022 Olympics, efforts to rejuvenate its hockey infrastructure are apparent with governmental interest signaling potential change. While historical figures like Collins and Eisler reflect on lost opportunities and mismanagement, they also see glimmers of hope for future generations of players, as the national federation adopts a more flexible approach to development in hopes of creating a viable professional hockey framework.
