Kenya’s Ice hockey team historic game in Canada

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Emotional Kenya’s Ice Hockey team

Member of Kenya's ice hockey team stretches before a practice session in East Africa's only ice rink, in NairobiMember of Kenya's ice hockey team stretches before a practice session in East Africa's only ice rink, in NairobiKenya’s Ice Hockey team was in the shadows until they were given a chance of a lifetime to fly to Canada, which is considered to be the home of the sport, to play alongside professionals. Their historical moment and excitement caught the attention of social media as they are trending on the on line platform.

The Kenyan ice hockey team have been training on the only rink in East Africa and they hope to qualify for the Winter Olympics in 2018.

When Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain, heard the story about the Kenya Ice Lions, it decided to share Canadians’ love of the game by flying them to the birthplace of hockey.

Previously, the team had only competed among themselves but this time, they faced an actual opponent; the Mississauga Firefighters.

“In Canada – and as a company – Hockey is part of our DNA,” says Jorge Zaidan, Head of Marketing, Tim Hortons Canada. “We are so inspired by the story of the Lions. Despite having no other teams to play against, the players on the Kenya Ice Lions’ passion for the game is unwavering. Their shared passion and love of the game knows no borders.”

Upon their arrival, the Ice Lions were given personalized jerseys and new equipment. They were joined by guest players Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.

Sydney Crosby

Moved by their love for Canada’s favorite sport, Tim Hortons flew 12 members of the senior Ice Lions team to Canada to have the opportunity to finally play their first game ever against another team. After dressing in brand new CCM hockey equipment and personalized jerseys, they discovered they were in for an even bigger surprise: Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and  Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon were joining them on the ice as teammates.

Sidney Crosby is captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and has been considered one of the best players in the world for more than a decade. The Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon, while younger and less of a household name than Crosby, is one of the league’s rising stars and brings a lot of spirit to the game.

“I was honored to be able to join the Ice Lions as they played their first game against another team,” said Crosby, captain of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. “One of the things I love about hockey is how it’s able to reach so many people from so many countries around the world and bring them together.”

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Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon greet Benard Azegere, captain of the Kenya Ice Lions ahead of the game.

Ben Azegere, the Kenya Captain, stated that seeing his favorite player come through the door wearing a Kenyan jersey felt like heaven.

“When we first started playing in Kenya, we didn’t even have full equipment, but now not only do we have that, but we can say we’ve played a real game with some All-Star teammates,” added Ben.

The trip was sponsored by Tim Hortons, one of North America’s largest restaurant chains as part of an advertising concept.

“While we played alongside the Ice Lions for their first game, we know it won’t be their last,” intimated MacKinnon.

He added, “The team’s genuine passion and excitement for hockey is contagious, they were amazing teammates and it was great to play with them.” he revealed.

A member of Kenya’s ice hockey team stretches before a practice session in East Africa’s only ice rink, in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya’s only ice hockey

Back home, the team practices twice a week at a 1,400-square-metre rink at the Panari Sky Center Hotel in Nairobi.

The rink is rectangular and has no boards. Though they now have the equipment, previously many of the players wore soccer shin pads, sofa cushions or nothing at all as protection.

the Kenyan players don’t often get to play alongside such iconic players.

 

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