From Kenya To Canada: Story Of The Ice Lions, Kenya’s Only Ice Hockey Team

The Ice Lions, Kenya’s only hockey team, in partnership with Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee and donuts chain, got the chance to travel to the birthplace of hockey, Canada.

A few years ago, a Canadian living in Nairobi took advantage of the East Africa’s only ice rink venue at the Panari Hotel in Nairobi and helped establish a hockey program. That program eventually led to the creation of the Kenya’s first ice hockey team called: Kenya Ice Lions. The team, led by Benard Azegere, 33, was made of young men trying out the game for the first time.

Tim Hortons the Canadian coffee and donuts chain, and a company with an affinity for hockey, heard about the team’s story, and decided to share Canada’s love of the game, by bringing them to the birthplace of hockey, so the players could experience the NHL experience.

“In Canada — and as a company — hockey is part of our DNA,” says Jorge Zaidan, Head of Marketing for 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.”

Tim Hortons flew 12 members of the senior Ice Lions team to Canada, giving them with the opportunity to finally play their first game ever against another team:

Much to their surprise, the Ice Lions also got to play alongside two of the league’s current biggest names: Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, and Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon one of the league’s rising stars.

Tim Hortons also made a donation to Kenya’s Youth Hockey League to help ensure that the Ice Lions’ passion for the sport lives on for the next generation.

Sources: PrideNews & Quartz Africa