We have experienced firsthand the excitement that the sport of hockey has brought many youths over the past couple of years as China begins its journey towards the Winter Olympics. Currently, there are an estimated 10,000 young players in the city. Last year, the National Hockey League (NHL) Preseason China Games between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vancouver Canucks came to both Beijing and Shanghai and helped to further boost up some exposure for the niche sport.

Now in its second year, the preseason games are back on Sep 19 at Cadillac Arena and will be featuring the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames going head to head for a night of some of the finest hockey playing on the planet. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in experiencing both the finesse and aggressive nature that the NHL is famous for. Last season, both of these teams were in the top of their division!

These annual games have been organized to drum up support for the sport due to the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The goal is apparently to get 300 million people participating in winter sports over the next four years. To help do this, the NHL has been working with sports bureaus across China to help develop grassroots hockey programs and camps here and the US that are specifically catered towards Chinese youths.

But the NHL and the 2022 games aren’t the only things that have helped to elevate the sport in the capital. There’s also the expansion of the Russia-based KHL into Beijing, creating the Kunlun Red Stars. While this team is apparently struggling to gain a fanbase, they recently found an unlikely ambassador and one of the most gifted players to ever lace up a pair of skates; Wayne Gretzky. Whether or not this will help the team maintain its place in the league remains to be seen, but it’s at least a worthwhile attempt to stir things up.

To secure your tickets for the big game, click here!

Photo: The Boston Herald

Canada turns 151 on July 1 this year. A special fair packed with food, wine, live music, hockey, games and more will be kicking off at Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) this Saturday, June 23, celebrating this great occasion with a whole day full of fun and special deals on Canadian products.

Photo from previous event

Get your taste buds prepared for rich Canadian wines, mouthwatering Canadian food including poutine, oysters, and COWs ice cream, to name just a few of the delights on offer.

Also, to promote 2018 as the Canada China Year of Tourism, booths from 10 Canadian provinces and territories will be on site, offering information and suggestions to help plan your next Canadian adventure.

For hockey fans, there will be a shootout organized by the National Hockey League (NHL), at which you will be able to show your skills or play a round of curling.

A Happy Hour running from 4 to 5pm will offer special discounts, and an after party in EQUIS bar at the Four Seasons Hotel will keep the festivities going on afterwards.

RMB 100 for adults, RMB 20 for kids under 12 years old (Check the website for tickets). 11am-5pm. Canadian International School of Beijing (No.38 LiangmaqiaoLu, 6465 7788).

Photos: courtesy of CCBC

Get ready to experience the grit and glory of the National Hockey League as Western Academy of Beijing’s Distinguished Speaker Series returns on Tuesday, September 19.

Kevin Westgarth, a former National Hockey League player, will visit WAB from 6-7:30pm to talk about his life as a pre-med student in an Ivy League school and his transition to the professional hockey league and accomplishing the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Now, as the National Hockey League (NHL) makes its way into China, Westgarth serves as the Vice President of Business Development and International Affairs, working as an ambassador to share the game around the globe.

As kids across this country begin picking up sticks and lacing up their skates to get involved in this up and coming sport in China, it will only become more and more popular in the years leading up to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. This is the perfect opportunity for the uninitiated to get familiarized and possibly learn more about getting involved in Beijing.

Following the talk kids will also have a chance to shoot the puck to win tickets to the NHL’s China Games in Beijing on September 23 as the NHL will host its first-ever game in China featuring the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. Sign up now for this unique talk by scanning the QR code above.

Photos: WAB, twimg.com