Israel
| Israel | |
 | |
| Continent | Middle East |
| Population | 7,869,900 |
| Registered players | 500 |
| Referees | 6 |
| Rinks | 2 |
| National teams | Men's Junior |
| National federation | Ice Hockey Federation of Israel |
| IIHF since | May 1, 1991 |
| IIHF ranking | 40 |
| Top league | Israeli League |
| Current champion | Maccabi Metulla |
Israel is a country in the Middle East. Jerusalem is the capital and largest city.
Overview
National Teams
Domestic Teams
See Category:Ice hockey teams in Israel
Arenas
Competitions
| Competition | Founded | Folded | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Israeli League | 1989 | Top-level national competition | |
| Israeli 2nd League | 2012 | - | Second-level national competition |
History of hockey in Israel
The first ice rink in Israel opened in the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Motzkin in January 1986, and three months later some hockey practices began with former Canadian players serving as instructors. A larger rink opened in Bat Yam in May 1988 and an exhibition game between teams from Kiryat Motzkin and Bat Yam was held in July of the same year. Bat Yam defeated their opposition 8-5. In 1995, a full-sized ice rink was opened in Metulla.
The Ice Hockey Federation of Israel was founded in 1988, and the country joined the IIHF on May 1, 1991.[1] The Israeli League was first contested in 1990, with HC Haifa winning. It was held again in 1991, and has been contested annually since 1994. With six titles, Haifa has been the most successful team overall. The Israeli 2nd League has also been staged since 2012.
The men's national team played its first game in 1990, facing a team of Canadian UN peacekeepers. They made their debut at the World Championships in 1992, playing in the C2 Pool.[2] Their best finish at the World Championships was sixth place in Division IA in 2006. Israel has won four tournaments - the 2000 D Pool, 2005 Division IIB, 2011 Division III, and 2013 Division IIB.
Some of the best players on the national team in recent times have been: Eliezer Sherbatov, Sergei Frenkel, Daniel Spivak, Daniel Mazour, Ran Oz, Oren and Alon Eizenman, Max Birbraer, and the goaltenders Boris Amromin and Avihu Sorotzki.
The junior national team first appeared on the international scene at the 1995 IIHF European U18 Championship, playing in the C2Pool. In 1997, Israel took part in the IIHF World U20 Championship D Pool held in Sofia, Bulgaria. They finished with a 2-2 record, good enough for fifth place in the D Pool.
