Seafair’s Atom A1 ice hockey team will breathe fire on its opponents at an upcoming tournament in Shanghai, China.
It’s the first time a Seafair hockey team has gone to Asia to play in a tournament.
“We’re trying to build our sister association with Seafair and the team in Shanghai (and) trying to establish a legacy for both associations for future kids playing hockey to have the opportunity to go (overseas),” said team manager Ed Tien.
Parents will chauffeur the 17 players around Shanghai between the six scheduled matches this week.
Seafair will play teams from Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.
The young hockey club will also shower their new friends with all sorts of hockey related gifts during the weeklong tournament that concludes this Sunday.
“For us as parents we wanted to create a legacy for other teams. It was important that this inaugural event is as good as it can be,” said parent William Dennill, a graphic designer who helped craft some of the gifts, including the Sino-Canadian design of their tournament jackets and pucks.
Former Richmond Sockeyes coach Aaron Wilbur, who travels to China frequently, helped register the Seafair squad in the tournament.
The Vancouver Canucks also helped in organizing the efforts and star players such as Daniel Sedin signed memorabilia for the Chinese kids.
Tournament costs were standard (about $1,800), according to Tien, other than the obvious flight and hotel bills.
China ranks 38thin international ice hockey but by anecdotal accounts the sport is becoming more popular as the country develops economically.
Atom A1 off to shanghai. pic.twitter.com/f6DX516jv9
— Seafair Hockey (@SeafairHockey) December 29, 2014
