Beijing 2022: what can China’s men’s ice hockey team expect from NHL players in February? They line up against powerhouse Canadians, Americans and dark horse Germany

The Chinese men’s ice hockey team are about to face off against a plethora of NHL stars in February including the world’s best player in Connor McDavid

Little is known about the men’s team roster, but it is confirmed that players of Chinese nationality are currently on the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star squad

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Spencer Foo, left, and Jason Fram are going to be up against the stiffest competition they will ever face in their lives come February. Photo:

Published: 5:07pm, 25 Nov 2021Updated: 5:14pm, 25 Nov 2021

China’s men’s ice hockey team, ranked 32nd in the world by the International Ice Hockey Federation, will find themselves up against stiff competition come February when the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing kick off.

On February 10 at the Beijing National Indoor Stadium, China will begin their group stage play against the US, who are ranked fourth. They play fifth-ranked Germany two days later and the next day take on the world’s top team, Canada.

The Chinese Ice Hockey Association has so far failed to submit the names of three players confirmed for the tournament via the IIHF, unlike each of the other 11 teams taking part. Reports say the players suiting up for the squad are currently playing for Kunlun Red Star, a team in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League who are acting as a de facto China national team based out of Moscow.

The IIHF has expressed concerns over the team’s level of play though new president Luc Tardiff has previously said they will not pull the team from the tournament, however there are reports that is being reconsidered.

A few players appear to be shoo-ins for the squad, the first being Chinese-Canadian Brandon Yip. The 36-year-old, who was born in Vancouver, has 174 games of NHL experience, however the last time he suited up was during the 2013-14 season for the Arizona Coyotes.

Tyler Wong and company are going to have their work cut out for them come February against the best NHL players in the world. Photo: AP

Yip, a winger, will be one of the forwards tasked with trying to shut down generational talent Connor McDavid, who has already been named one of Canada’s three provisional players along with Sidney Crosby and Alex Pietrangelo. McDavid is widely regarded as the greatest player on the planet, and regularly scores highlight reel goals in which he undresses multiple NHL defenders and goalies.