Ice hockey in the Philippines

Ice hockey in the Philippines is a minor but emerging sport.

Ice hockey in the Philippines
CountryPhilippines
Governing bodyFederation of Ice Hockey League
National team(s)Men's national team;
women's national team
Registered players131 (2018)
Clubs5 (2016)
National competitions
International competitions

History

The history of ice hockey in the Philippines began with the ice rinks set up in shopping malls in the country which were initially only used for recreational activities. The film Mighty Ducks released in the 1990s helped promote the winter sport in the country, with most members of the 2017 national team citing the film as their inspiration in taking up the sport.[1]

The governing body of ice hockey in the country, the Federation of Ice Hockey League (FIHL), was formed years later in February 2015.[2] The FIHL was admitted as an associate member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on 20 May 2016[3][4] and secured Philippine Olympic Committee membership by July 2016.[5]

A IIHF sanctioned league, the Philippine Hockey League was organized in 2018 fulfilling a prerequisite for the Philippine men's national team participation in the Ice Hockey World Championships.[6]

National and international competitions
The men's national ice hockey team which competed at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Prior to 2008 and before the formation of the FIHL, club selection teams competed in regional competitions as unofficial national teams.[5]

After the formation of the FIHL, national ice hockey teams were officially organized. The men's national team made their official debut at the 2017 Asian Winter Games[7][8] while the women's team made theirs at the 2017 IIHF Women's Challenge Cup of Asia.[9]

The main league in the country is the Philippine Hockey League which follows IIHF regulations.[6] A recreational ice hockey league, the Manila Ice Hockey League, is also held.[10]

Participation rates
Opening of the 2017 Philippine International Ice Hockey Tournament in Mandaluyong.

Since the Philippines is a tropical country with no winter season, ice hockey and some other winter sports are played on artificial ice rinks. In 2016, there were 211 registered players from five clubs in the country. Despite increasing popularity, the expenses involved in playing the sport hinder its adoption rate.[5]

The FIHL plans to introduce the ice hockey in schools through field hockey, a similar sport.[11]

Ice rinks

As of 2016, there are four ice rinks in the country, all part of shopping malls:[5]

References
  1. Macaraig, Ayee (17 August 2017). "PH 'Mighty Ducks' skate for gold and history in SEA Games". ABS-CBN News. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  2. Henson, Joaquin (25 October 2015). "Pinoys break ice in hockey". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  3. "Philippines". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  4. "IIHF grows in Asia". iihf.com. 2016-05-21. Archived from the original on 2016-05-20. Retrieved 2017-09-04.
  5. "A cooling trend". International Ice Hockey Federation. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  6. http://www.eurohockey.com/article/5456-the-journey-of-hockey-in-philippines.html
  7. "29 Filipino athletes to compete in 2017 Asian Winter Games". Manila Bulletin. Manila, Philippines. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  8. "Southeast Asian newcomers". International Ice Hockey Federation. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  9. Merk, martin (6 March 2017). "Challenge Cup of Asia begins". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  10. Dizon, David (17 September 2012). "Like 'Cool Runnings': Manila hockey team wins bronze". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  11. "After SEA Games, Pinoy Mighty Ducks now eye World Championships". 31 August 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
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