Expanding the Sport Beyond Traditional Markets

At 3,454 meters above sea level on Switzerland’s Jungfraujoch, something remarkable happened on August 5, 2024. NHL stars including Nino Niederreiter, Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Pius Suter, and Philipp Kurashev made history in the world’s highest ice hockey game. But what made this exhibition truly revolutionary wasn’t just its altitude – it was the surprising 12°C (54°F) temperature and the innovative technology that made it possible.

Breaking Climate Barriers

For decades, ice hockey has been constrained by geography and climate. Traditional ice rinks require massive energy consumption for cooling and maintenance, making the sport both environmentally problematic and geographically limited. But as the Jungfraujoch game demonstrated, these limitations are no longer insurmountable.

As Jonas Siegenthaler remarked after trying SHARKBLADES on synthetic ice, «It comes pretty close to the feeling on ice, which is really cool.» His New Jersey Devils teammate Nico Hischier was even more emphatic, describing it as «as close to real ice as it can get.»

What these NHL stars experienced firsthand is the cornerstone of Green Hockey’s global vision: bringing ice hockey to regions where traditional ice infrastructure is impractical, unaffordable, or environmentally unsustainable.

The Environmental Imperative

Traditional ice rinks face a growing sustainability crisis. The enormous energy required for refrigeration drives up costs and environmental impact. Chemical refrigerants and resurfacing processes further increase hockey’s ecological footprint. Water scarcity threatens operations in many regions. As climate change accelerates, these challenges will only intensify.

Green Hockey’s solution addresses these environmental concerns directly. OCEANICE surfaces are crafted largely from recycled ocean plastic, turning environmental waste into a viable playing surface. Unlike traditional rinks, they require no water, no energy-hungry cooling systems, and minimal maintenance.

This sustainable approach isn’t just better for the planet – it makes hockey viable in regions where maintaining traditional ice would be prohibitively expensive or ecologically irresponsible.

New Markets, New Opportunities

Imagine ice hockey thriving in regions across Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East – places where the sport has struggled to gain a foothold due to climate constraints and infrastructure costs. With OCEANICE and SHARKBLADES, this vision becomes achievable.

The combination of synthetic ice surfaces and specially designed blades creates new possibilities for:

• Year-round hockey in tropical climates: No longer constrained by temperature, the sport can flourish in warm regions.
• Urban environments with limited space: Smaller, more versatile installations can bring hockey to dense urban areas.
• Developing nations with limited infrastructure budgets: The lower installation and maintenance costs make hockey more accessible.
• Remote communities: Areas too far from major centers for traditional rinks can now develop local hockey programs.

From Rapperswil to the World

The successful installations at Rapperswil-Jona and the SCL Tigers campus in Langnau demonstrate that this technology isn’t just theoretical – it’s already transforming how hockey is played and developed in Switzerland.

In Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland’s largest synthetic ice rink sits atop a boathouse, open to the public for recreational skating and used by the U-17 team for regular training. This installation proves that synthetic ice can serve multiple purposes, from professional development to community recreation.

The SCL Tigers campus showcases how a professional team can integrate synthetic ice into a comprehensive training facility, providing year-round development opportunities for players at all levels.

These Swiss innovations are just the beginning. As Patrick Fischer, the Swiss National Team Coach and former NHL player, observed after trying the surface: «After three or four minutes, it feels very similar to ice. It’s amazing. I never thought I’d have fun playing on synthetic ice.»

A Global Game Plan

Green Hockey’s vision extends far beyond Switzerland. By partnering with hockey federations, professional teams, and community organizations worldwide, the company aims to:

1. Introduce hockey to new markets: Bringing the sport to regions where it has minimal presence.
2. Support existing hockey programs in challenging climates: Helping traditional hockey nations adapt to warming temperatures and rising energy costs.
3. Create sustainable alternatives for hockey at all levels: From professional training to community recreation.
4. Develop new talent pools: Discovering and nurturing hockey talent in previously untapped regions.

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

The implications of this technology extend beyond just where hockey is played – it changes how the sport can be experienced and who can participate.

As Claude Vilgrain, former NHL player, stated: «I’m sure this is the best way to spread the sport.» This sentiment captures the essence of Green Hockey’s mission: not to replace traditional ice hockey, but to expand its horizons, making it more inclusive, more accessible, and more sustainable.

When Mike Johnston, President of Portland Winterhawks and Head Coach of Canada U20, says, «I’m really impressed by this new technology. This could really grow the game!» he’s recognizing the transformative potential of these innovations.

The Future of Global Hockey

As we look to the future, we see a world where hockey truly knows no boundaries – where players can train year-round, regardless of their location or climate. We envision a sport that’s not only environmentally responsible but also truly global and diverse.

With OCEANICE and SHARKBLADES, we’re not just adapting to change – we’re driving it forward. We’re creating a future where ice hockey is more sustainable, more accessible, and more inclusive than ever before.

From the rooftops of Swiss cities to the heights of the Alps, and soon to regions across the globe, Green Hockey is revolutionizing where and how hockey can be played. This isn’t just about expanding a sport – it’s about reimagining its possibilities.

Let’s grow the game together! 💚🏒