Ice-Bound Passion: The Hard Work Behind Taiwan’s Ice Hockey Legends — Exclusive Interview with the Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey Federation (CTIHF)

At 9 p.m., after Taipei Arena shuts its doors for the night, a few determined figures still glide across the ice. Dressed in full protective gear, they're not just night owls playing for fun — they’re national ice hockey players preparing to represent Taiwan on the international stage. Some have traveled all the way from southern Taiwan just to join this rare practice session. After all, Taipei Arena is the only rink in Taiwan that meets international standards for ice hockey training.

The Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey Federation (CTIHF) currently supports national teams across multiple divisions: Women’s U18 and Senior teams, as well as Men’s U18, U20, and Senior teams. In countries like Canada, ice hockey is the beloved national winter sport — fast-paced, high-impact, and packed with adrenaline. Thanks to the advent of artificial ice rinks, this once climate-bound sport has now become a core event of the Winter Olympics and accessible far beyond cold-weather regions.

Though still a niche sport in Taiwan, local athletes are making waves. The players' training late into the night earned impressive results at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships. Taiwan’s Men’s U18 and U20 teams both won gold in Division III A, while the Women’s U18 team clinched third place in Division I B — their best performance in history. (Note: IIHF World Championships are divided into four tiers, with further subdivisions of A and B in each.)

CTIHF Secretary General Huang Yi-Chung explained that international ice hockey events are typically held in January, March, and April. With just one suitable rink in the country, players from across Taiwan begin training six months in advance. Scheduling is tight, so each division must take turns using the facility. To support athletes from the south, the Federation works to secure travel subsidies, aiming to reduce the burden on players. Huang credits the dedication of the athletes and their families, as well as the tireless efforts of Federation President Hsieh Chun-Huang, for making everything possible.

Beyond limited training space, another hurdle is the lack of local competitions, which puts Taiwanese players at a disadvantage in gaining match experience. To bridge this gap, the Federation makes sure teams arrive a week early for international tournaments, giving them time to adapt to the environment. They’re also planning to resume overseas training camps — paused during the pandemic — to expose players to different playing styles and competitive environments.

Despite the constraints, Taiwan has already produced standout ice hockey moments. The women’s national team, formed only in 2014, has already won gold in Division II A (2020) and Division II B (2016, 2019) tournaments. These hard-earned victories are helping fuel momentum for the sport’s growth.

Still, Huang warns that the sport is facing a generational gap, particularly in the youth divisions. To address this, the Federation is placing greater emphasis on training athletes under 18, ensuring a seamless pipeline into U18 and senior teams. However, expanding youth recruitment requires more training facilities. To that end, the Federation is currently in talks with Taichung and Kaohsiung city governments to build additional rinks — a crucial and timely move for developing talent. Fortunately, Taichung may soon see its first dedicated ice hockey training facility.

The success of niche sports always involves a network of behind-the-scenes dedication. One such supporter is Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter ØZI, who trained in ice hockey for over a decade before debuting as a musician. His single Slide even features ice hockey movements in its music video, a nod to the sport that shaped him — and a call for others to take notice.

This interview was conducted in March 2023, as Taiwan’s Men’s U18, Women’s Senior, and Men’s Senior teams prepared to compete in Bulgaria, Mexico, and South Africa, respectively, for the upcoming IIHF World Championships. With each tournament, these athletes skate closer to global recognition, building a future where more Taiwanese people know, follow, and even fall in love with ice hockey.

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