Dear Hong Kong Ice Hockey Community,

I wish to update you on recent developments at the Hong Kong, China Ice Hockey Association (HKIHA).

In the past three months, the new Chairman, Sherman Chan, has made significant strides to elevate ice hockey in Hong Kong.

Key achievements include:

• Open selection process
• Enhanced coaching standards
• Registration of new clubs with HKIHA
• Launch of a new club league
• Increased sponsorship
• Strengthened club unity
• Established disciplinary guidelines
• U15 elite development program with open selection policy
• Regular meetings with clubs to foster youth hockey development

These changes align with the Hong Kong Government’s latest sports policies and global standards set by associations like Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, and others: https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2024/en/highlight.html

Though I am Canadian, I must commend USA Hockey’s U17 and U18 development program (https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/), which has produced 408 NHL draft picks since 1999, including 98 first-round selections. I believe Hong Kong can benefit from a similar approach to maximize youth potential.

The future of Hong Kong ice hockey is bright. I encourage all parents to unite in support of these positive changes under Sherman Chan’s leadership.

致 香港冰球社群:

我想向香港冰球社群提供有關中國香港冰球總會(HKIHA)的最新消息。

過去三個月來，中國香港冰球總會新任主席Sherman Chan一直努力提升香港的冰球運動，成績斐然。

成就包括：

• 公開選拔程序
• 提升教練水平
• 多個新球會在總會註冊
• 推出新的球會聯賽
• 增加贊助
• 凝聚球會
• 建立紀律指引
• U15 精英發展計劃採用公開選拔運動員
• 定期與分會會員會面，加強青少年冰球發展

這些改變正符合香港特別行政區政府的最新體育政策及世界各國冰球協會的管理標準（例如: 加拿大冰球協會、美國冰球協會等）。 https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2024/en/highlight.html

雖然我是加拿大人，但我必須承認，美國冰球的 U17 和 U18 發展計劃 (https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/) 成果卓越，自1999年以來已選出408名NHL球員，其中98人在第一輪被選中。我認為香港可以受益於類似的計劃，以充分發揮青少年潛力。

香港冰球的前景一片光明，我呼籲所有冰球家長在這關鍵時刻團結一致，支持Sherman Chan領導下的正面改變。

Best Regards,
Gregory Smyth
Co-Founder and Executive Director 共同創辦人及執行總監
China Hockey Group 中國冰球集團 謹啟