Co-organized by the Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club and the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey, the 2016-17 Youth Hockey League (Asia Region) re-launching ceremony was successfully completed on January 7 at the Shangri La Hotel in Beijing. Accompanied by two young players, Chinese Ice Hockey Association General Secretary Yu Tiande and Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey Chairman Mr. Thomas Wu officiated the launching ceremony. Many guests celebrated the event and the joint efforts in promoting the sport of ice hockey in China. The target of this program is to further promote the sport into the community, in turn raising the level of ice hockey in China. China is going to host 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and Zhangjiakou. With the goal of establishing a critical mass supporting winter sports, Chinese Government formulated the development policy to involve 300 million people in ice hockey, figure skating and other winter sports. Echoing the sentiment in supporting the winter sports development, Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey (HKAIH) will re-launch the Youth Hockey League (Asian Region) in coming year. Founded by Mr. Thomas Wu, HKAIH organized the AYHL for two years in 2011 and 2012. Supported by Chinese Ice Hockey Association, AYHL provided a platform for exchange and development among junior hockey players, at the time when hockey development was badly needed. The sport of ice hockey is growing rapidly over the past few years, with Beijing, Shanghai and Harbin attaining exceptional growth. The re-launch of AYHL is supported by General Administration of Sport, Winter Sport Administration. In order to promote ice hockey through the tournament, HKAIH has partnered with NHL Alumni Association. The collaboration is aimed at hockey exchange between two different continents, promoting the spirit behind team work and ice hockey culture. In the end participants of the tournament learn from the knowledge and technique necessary to compete with the top hockey nations. “The NHL Alumni Association is proud to support and endorse your new initiative with minor hockey in China. Part of our mission statement is ‘assist in youth hockey initiatives’ and this is certainly a good one. We wish you all the best moving forward and the NHL Alumni Association will be there to help in any way we can.” NHLA Chairman Mike Pelyk NHLA Executive Director Mark Napier HKAIH believes AYHL will become a renowned competition promoting Olympics spirit and ice hockey development in the region. 2016-17 Youth Hockey League (Asia Region) Schedule For more information, please visit www.asianyouthhockeyleague.com
