Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey Rink in Poprad
The site of ice hockey tournament in Poprad

Our ICSD Executive Committee and Winter Technical Directors Technical Directors conducted site visits at Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia during the week of 19 - 25 January. Time was spent reviewing our Ice Hockey Technical Regulations, our Technical Director's Handbook and Venue inspections.

We also met with the members of the 2011 Vysoké Tatry Organizing Committee sharing our reports of our venue inspections. On 24 January, there was a drawing event for Ice Hockey teams at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia for next year's competitions. Please watch for our Ice Hockey schedule that will be posted in the 17th Winter Deaflympics' website in the near future.

I'm proudly to say that we have chosen and agreed to host our Ice Hockey games at Zimny’s Stadion Mesto Poprad in the town of Poprad. Please check out the website for more information of the Ice Hockey Arena. www.hkpoprad.sk/index.php?cmd=klub&cmd2=stadion Seating capacity is 4, 500 with large dressing rooms holding 25 or more players each. The arena has a Pro Shop, skate sharpening, training rooms, laundry room, and refreshment stands.

The 17th Winter Deaflympics Ice Hockey will host to six (6) countries (Finland-2009 World Champion, Canada, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Sweden and United States). Best of luck your with your team training and preparations.

As mentioned in our Press Release on 26 January, the competition plan will consist of one group round robin format where each team will play each other only once. If schedule permits, the top four (4) teams will advance for medal rounds. More information will be shared at a later date.

Please feel free to contact me anytime at icehockeytd@ciss.org if you have any questions regarding the 2011 Winter Deaflympics.

Best Regards,

S. C. BRADLEY
ICSD Technical Director – Ice Hockey

By Chris Bradley