New York Rangers legend Barry Beck turning children into believers
NHL veteran is hoping to foster new talent in schools through academy
Hong Kong is still free of the grip of the ice age, much to the mortification of New York Rangers legend Barry Beck.
But while ice time is scarce and ice-time fees are high, the biggest obstacle Beck is facing are the closed minds of the "non- believers", who refuse to accept ice hockey can become a middle-of-the-road sport in this city.
"The non-believers - they are the biggest problem for me," says Beck, who is leading a crusade to educate Hong Kong youngsters that ice hockey is more than just an excuse for grown-ups to wear skates and fight on ice.
The biggest challenge for me now is to stay focused in our direction amidst the constraints we face
"Yes, for sure we face various constraints in promoting and developing ice hockey," says Beck. "It is the reality of ice hockey in Hong Kong at this point in time. But as a coach, I teach that there are no excuses and you just have to stay focused and find a way to achieve your goal."
Beck, 56, was hired by Thomas Wu to run the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey in 2007 and sports superb credentials.
He took over the captaincy of the New York Rangers in 1980 when he was 23 - the second-youngest captain in Rangers history - and was at the helm for five years. He is now facing one of his biggest challenges in his life and is showing the same characteristics that made him one of the most imposing defencemen in the National Hockey League.
"I came to Hong Kong upon the invitation of Thomas Wu to help promote and develop the sport of ice hockey locally and throughout Asia. I came because I believed in his vision and strategy of creating essential partnerships with organisations that drive the sport in a positive direction. The difficult part for me is being away from my teenage son and family," Beck said.
Our main priority is to give an opportunity to as many local kids as we can reach to experience the thrill of the sport