International Ice Hockey Invitational Tournament Kicks Off in Harbin, Boosting Global Winter Sports Exchanges
A total of 8 teams from China, Russia and South Korea will compete in 20 matches over three days, including group stages and knockout rounds, to contend for the championship. The games are held at the venue designated for women's ice hockey events of the Harbin Asian Winter Games. Athletes will chase their dreams on the ice, forging deeper bonds through winter sports. The tournament also fuels the development of the International Alliance of Winter Sports Universities, facilitates high-quality growth of global winter sports, and promotes cultural exchanges and mutual learning in this field.
Jiang Yuhong, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Harbin Sport University, stated that hosting this international ice hockey tournament coincides with the university’s 70th anniversary, serving as a vibrant tribute to its seven decades of development. Rooted in winter sports education, Harbin Sport University has long forged distinctive disciplinary strengths. The launch of the tournament marks the Alliance’s transition from blueprint planning to practical cooperation featuring shared benefits.
The opening match was contested between Kyung Hee University from South Korea and a Russian university team. The two sides staged an exciting goal fest. The score was tied 2-2 after the first two periods, while a total of six goals were scored in the third period, with four goals netted in the final five minutes alone. After the deadlock of 4-4, the Russian side found steady momentum and scored two consecutive goals, claiming a 6-4 victory to get off to a winning start.
Founded on November 27, 2025 in Harbin, the International Alliance of Winter Sports Universities takes "Ignite Winter Passion, Unite for the Future" as its theme. Its initial membership includes 22 universities from China, Russia, Denmark and other countries. Upholding the principles of exchanges and mutual learning, collaborative innovation, talent cultivation and social dedication, the Alliance aims to integrate high-quality global resources for winter sports, build an international cooperation platform for winter sports education, advance the development of relevant education sectors, and inject new vitality into worldwide winter sports. It also strives to deepen the implementation and innovation of Winter Olympic education, contributing to the high-quality and sustainable development of global winter sports.
As a leading member of the Alliance, Harbin Sport University has delivered this high-level tournament to implement the Alliance’s strategic goals. Leveraging the 2026–2027 China-Russia Education Year, the event gives full play to the Alliance’s platform advantages, further deepens practical cooperation in winter sports education between China, Russia and other member institutions, and promotes in-depth international exchanges in winter sports.
