Over 1,500 Players from 17 Countries to Compete in Mega Ice Hockey 5s

Over 1,500 players from nearly one hundred teams and 17 countries and cities will participate in the largest ice hockey competition in Asia, the Mega Ice Hockey 5s.

Players from all over the world will travel to Hong Kong to compete in the Mega Ice Hockey 5s from 27 April to 9 May 2015 at Mega Ice, Hong Kong’s only international-sized ice rink.

This year, veteran teams will face some new challengers from the Asia Pacific region and North America with a debut team from the United States and a returning team from Australia participating.

The Mega Ice Hockey 5s 2015 will feature 97 teams across the youth and adult divisions. The youth tournament is title sponsored by the Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club.

Players from 17 different countries and cities, including Australia, Bangkok, Beijing, Canada, Hong Kong, Hubei, Indonesia, Philippines, Qatar, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Thailand, Tianjin, Tokyo, UAE and United States will be taking part in 2015.

This year’s tournament reunites with Sydney Stingrays’ from Australia (International B) and features the debut appearance from the ‘Zero Pucks Given’ team from the USA who will take part in the 7-team women’s tournament.

Ms Czarina Man, Director of MegaBox, is excited that the tournament continues to attract teams from all over the world:

“MegaBox is honoured to once again host Asia’s premier ice hockey tournament. We expect that the strong interest in the tournament will boost growth in shopper flow and sales figures during the two-week competition,” Ms Man said. “We look forward to welcoming all guests to MegaBox during the period and hope that they will enjoy the thrill and excitement of ice hockey in addition to the various entertainment activities alongside the Mega Ice event.”

This year, the International A division remains highly competitive despite the absence of 2014 champions Kreuz Subsea Sharks.

Last year’s runners-up the Hong Kong Tigers will join counterparts Golden Castle, Singapore’s Pandoo Nation, UAE’s Abu Dhabi Theebs and Tokyo Canadians as top contenders for the title.

The Asian Division features 16 teams playing for championship titles. Reinforcing Hong Kong’s strength in regional hockey, the defending champions in both categories are Hong Kong-based teams. Last year’s Asian A champions Hong Kong Hitmen and Asian B winners Gold Club are both preparing to defend their titles this month.

In the Women’s Division, defending champions WIHO Saints are returning after their 3-0 victory over Abu Dhabi Storm in last year’s final. But the Saints may be bedeviled by some tougher challenges this year from two of the local favorites Bravo and WIHO Angels. Teams from Thailand (Bangkok Zeus), the Philippines (Pilipinas) and UAE (Abu Dhabi Storm) will be taking part as well as the debutants (Zero Pucks Given) from the US.

Ms Man also hailed the increasing competitiveness of the MIH 5's saying, "Each year we see an increase in the number of elite international teams and athletes competing. This trend is continuing this year, particularly in the women's tournament with more teams competing and a higher standard due to the recent hosting of the IIHF Women’s World Champion Second Division Group B Qualifier in Hong Kong in February. We are excited to witness the MIH 5's and Mega Ice's role as a stage for growth in Ice Hockey as a sport for all ages and genders in Hong Kong."