If you’re looking for a way to spend your winter holiday far away from the snow, try competing in a hockey tournament! There are numerous Gold Medal competitions around the world during the winter season and with the right preparation, you can take part in the excitement and rivalries of the sport!
While some nations have historically been very strong in hockey – like Canada and Russia – other countries have risen to the occasion more recently. The top five countries in terms of gold medals now are:
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China
Bordered by the Arctic Circle and the towering Himalayas, China is a country that has excelled at sports in recent years, particularly in ice hockey. There are seven cities in China that are accredited with a team, collectively known as “the China Ice Hockey Elite League”. These teams typically play in front of large crowds and have had considerable success, especially in the past decade. In 2018, for example, they won the Asian Winter Games and the World Championship. Their success is largely attributed to the rise of an exceptionally talented crop of hockey players. The country also prides itself on its superior facilities, which it has used to great effect.
United States
The United States is another country that has risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy in the 21st century. The men’s national team is now one of the strongest in the world, having won the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in addition to earlier triumphs at the 2002 and 2014 Winter Games. Their dominance is particularly notable in the puck-stopping category, where they lead the all-time medal table with 13 gold medals. The rise of the Americans is due in part to their passion for the game and excellence at youth levels, but most of all to a large number of American expats living abroad. The group United World Hockey (UWH), based in San Francisco, aims to provide an outlet for these Americans, who may feel disconnected from American culture due to living in another country. Through UWH, these expats can participate in American-style hockey games, as well as gain access to top-notch professional athletes and hockey experts.
Canada
Canada is another country that has risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The men’s national team won three consecutive Gold Medals at the Winter Olympics between 2014 and 2018, as well as the 2015 World Championship. Since the late 1950s, Canada has been one of the dominant forces in hockey. The popularity of the sport in the country is due to a combination of factors, including historical ties to the United States, indigenous culture and a very cold winter climate. One significant advantage that Canada has is the quality of its ice. Natural ice made from glaciers is particularly pure and is highly suitable for many purposes, including skate parks and hockey arenas. Due to climate change, the melting of the Arctic Circle and the increase of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, the ice is getting thinner and less stable, putting the country’s hockey supremacy at risk.
Sweden
Sweden, which is located in the northern part of Europe, is yet another country that has risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The men’s national team has been consistently strong for many years and has won the gold medal at every Winter Olympics dating back to 1988, with the exception of 2014. Over the course of the last decade, the country has truly excelled, winning three consecutive gold medals at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. The popularity of the sport in Sweden is largely due to the country’s wealthy elite who are passionate about the game. In recent years, the Swedish Hockey Association (Svenska Hockeyförbundet) has invested heavily in youth development, as well as upgraded its rink facilities, making the sport more accessible to the average Swedish citizen. The association also owns the country’s national team and uses it to promote the sport domestically as well as internationally.
Russia
Russia is, as previously mentioned, a country that has risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The men’s national team is, arguably, the best in the world, having won four consecutive Gold Medals and 12 overall at the Winter Olympics. The country is rich in resources and natural beauty, which has made it one of the most popular destinations for tourists. As well as being a popular vacation spot, the country also plays host to a variety of internationally competitive events throughout the year.
France
France is a country that has more recently risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The women’s national team has had considerable success since making its debut at the 2002 Winter Olympics, winning five consecutive gold medals and the 2009 World Championship. The team is led by Marie-Florence DuMoulin, who has made a career out of winning gold medals. Since then, the country has continued its rise as a hockey power and at the 2018 Winter Olympics won the silver medal, further enhancing its credentials as a force to be reckoned with. Like Canada, France has historically been very good at hockey and has a proud hockey folklore, which it has kept alive across the generations. However, since World War II, the country’s prosperity and the development of the sport have lagged behind that of its rivals. This is particularly noticeable when comparing the countries’ relative youth sports participation rates. While the adult participation rate in hockey is above the European average, the youth figure is significantly below. If the trend continues, France could find itself on the outskirts of the top five in the near future.
Argentina
Argentina is yet another country that has recently risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The men’s national team has won the gold medal at the last three World Championships and the 2019 and 2021 Winter Olympics. Argentines are very proud of their national team and will often attend their games, both at home and abroad. The popularity of the sport in the country is largely due to the influx of sports enthusiasts from Spain, which led to the formation of numerous amateur teams throughout the country. The Spanish connection is also seen in the teams’ nicknames, which often contain Spanish words or phrases. Argentina is a large country in terms of territory, with vast plains and rugged mountains. Like the other four countries discussed so far, the quality of the ice in Argentina is exceptional and has helped the country in its rise to prominence.
Australia
Similar to Argentina, Australia is another country that has recently risen to the challenge of hockey supremacy. The men’s national team has had some very notable successes in recent years, winning the gold medal at the 2019 and 2021 Winter Olympics as well as the 2018, 2019 and 2020 World Championships. The country also plays host to numerous international competitions, including the annual Ice Hockey World Cup. Australia is a land of opportunity, with its main industries being mining and agriculture, and it is home to some of the finest beaches and tropical climates on Earth. The large urban population centers life for the most part in a bustling activity, filled with sports enthusiasts who help to keep the country’s strong Nordic tradition alive. With a population of almost 24 million, Australia is one of the most populated countries on the planet. Its large size means that any sport played there will always have plenty of participants. The size of the country also means that it’s relatively easy to organize competitions. For example, the annual Yular Creek 5-a-side Tournament, which pits local teams against each other, is open to everyone. Another significant advantage is the availability of ice, both in terms of size and quality. Thanks in part to climate change, the ice has become increasingly unstable, particularly around the shoreline, but things are still fairly solid around the urban centers. This has made it easier for the country’s elite to train and participate in competitions, which is also likely to make the rest of the population more interested in the sport. With a bit of luck, Australia could become a formidable hockey force over the next few years.
South Korea
Finally, let’s not forget about the boys from Down Under, as Australia is known as in South Korea. The South Korean men’s national team has had some very notable successes in recent years, winning the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2019 World Championship as well as numerous other international competitions. Since the late 1990s, the country has risen to the challenge of international hockey supremacy, placing itself amongst the top tier of hockey nations. The country is quite wealthy, largely due to its stable economic conditions and strong manufacturing base. One of the major factors that has led to South Korea’s success is their continued investment in youth development. The national team is dominated by players from Seoul and nearby cities, which has helped to expose the country to a higher level of competition. Since the formation of the team, the proportion of Koreans participating in hockey has risen from 1% to 15%, due in large part to increased public awareness and the development of the sport. The continued investment in youth development will certainly help to further enhance their international standing in the coming years.