China's Hockey Rise: Aiming for Olympic Gold

0:00On March 22, China's ice hockey scene is exploding ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The Chinese Ice Hockey Association is pushing hard through the Kun-Lun Red Star teams, with the men playing in Russia's top continental hockey league, and the women competing in the women's hockey league. They've signed experienced players from places like the National Hockey League to build skills in naturalized talent for the national squads. Here this week, we saw more signs of momentum as the teams keep recruiting heritage players and former pros. Owner Billy Agak dreams of hockey becoming one of China's top four sports, with the women eyeing gold medals soon, and the men rising as a new power. Hockey legends are jumping in too. Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, and Mike Keenan serve as ambassadors, running youth clinics in cities like Beijing and Shenzhen. The National Hockey League is all in, hosting preseason games, sending the Stanley Cup on tour, and donating gear to grow grassroots programs.

1:00Meanwhile, prospects like Beijing-born and on-song, the first Chinese player drafted by an NHL team, Inspire Kids Nationwide. Women's progress stands out, with a Chinese player's gaining pro experience and the team reaching league finals early on. Player numbers jumped from about 1,027 to over 12,000 last year, showing real traction. As the Olympics near, this steady investment promises China could soon challenge hockey giants on the world stage. This has been NHL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.