Second professional ice hockey club in China

Beijing Shougang Sports has announced a five-year partnership deal with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association (CIHA) and the Beijing sports governing body.

Under this deal, the three sides have set up the Beijing Shougang Ice Hockey National Team Club, making it the second professional club in China after HC Kunlun Red Star.

According to the terms of their deal, the club is expected to select players throughout China and internationally to organize them for overseas training and matches. The club is also able to compete in international tournaments as a Chinese national team.

Additionally, as part of its youth training plan, 20 women’s players and 20 men’s players aged around 13 will be sent to America each year for professional training under the National Hockey League (NHL). Shougang’s overseas training plan also aims to create a professional coach squad for China.

As Cao Weidong, President of the CIHA said, they are aimed to seek out a collaborative model for Chinese national ice hockey clubs. 

Source: Sohu

Proofread by William Logsdon