Hong Kong Prepares for Mega Ice Hockey 5’s

The largest annual ice hockey event in Asia, the Hockey 5’s is returning to Hong Kong from 30 April - 5 May (Youth Divisions) and 8 - 12 May (Adult Divisions) at the city’s largest and only international-sized ice rink, Mega Ice.

The 2012 Mega Ice Hockey 5’s will feature 88 teams across two tournaments – Adult and Youth tournament – from 12 cities, including Canada, Beijing, Shanghai, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and of course, Hong Kong.

The tournament also sees for the first time, a team from Sydney, Australia and it welcomes back to the fray after a short hiatus, teams from Malaysia and Slovak Republic.

Ms Czarina Man, General Manager of MegaBox, said, “We are very honoured to host Asia’s premier ice hockey tournament and promote the sport in the region and Hong Kong. We expect it will boast approximately 15% growth in shopper flows and sales figure, during tournament and Golden Week. We look forward to all of our guests enjoying the thrill and excitement that ice hockey brings and also the exciting entertainment activities associated with the Mega Ice event.”

In 2011, the competition in all adult divisions was fierce with EIE Selects defeating the Tokyo Canadians in the International A Final. Tokyo Canadians return looking to go one better and take the ultimate tournament honours. They will be pushed all the way by local representative Hong Kong Tigers who lost to Tokyo Canadians in last year’s semi final by a solitary goal and the Singapore Manimals, semi-finalists from 2011.

The Asian A division sees defending champions, Tokyo Egoists, returning for their chance of a three-peat following successive championships in 2010 and 2011. They again will be pushed all the way by local hitmen, Sam Wai Hitmen who will be looking to halt the Egoists three-peat.

In the International B division, Beijing Peng Han will be looking to replicate the Tokyo Egoists and dominate their division for a third year in a row, after disposing of all-comers in 2010 and 2011. However, newcomers, Sydney Hammerheads and the returning Old Boys Slovakia could throw up a few surprises on the ice.

The Asian B division in 2012 could be the tightest affair on the ice with one of a number of returning teams vying for the championship. And capping off the adult divisions will be the Women’s division where the international sides from UAE and Thailand will be looking to knock the local WIHO sides off their mantle.

While all eyes will be on the international talent sprinkling the adult divisions, it will be the youth division that kicks-off the action on the ice. 2012 sees a record number of tournament entries with 53 teams looking to heat up the ice and return home with their respective division titles – it promises to be a cool experience!

Tournament Director, Keith Fong heralded the continued growth of the youth tournament saying “we have been directly associated with the Mega Ice Hockey 5’s since its inception and have seen this tournament grow from strength to strength. It is amazing to see the skills and vision that some of these young kids display and bodes very well for the future of both this tournament, as these kids move on to the adult division, and also for the spectators who will be able to see first-hand, the future stars of our game.”

Off the ice, there will be exciting new entertainment activities for both the athletes participating and also local fans to Mega Box such as the Hockey 5’s Carnival, Mega Ice Hockey 5’s Photo Competition and the Lok Sin Tong Photo Charity Campaign.

As in 2011, the popular iPhone App 2012 has returned, giving iPhone users and ice hockey fans worldwide, access to the most up-to-date tournament information including all the news, scores, results, standings, schedules and statistics.

Also returning to the rink in 2012 in the adult divisions will be the ‘Hardest Shot Competition’ where competitors will vie for the fastest shot in Asia. Both competitors and spectators alike will be able to experience what speed is truly supposed to feel like.

All matches are free and open to the public.

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