2013-03-11 06:37:46 -
When South China Sharks goaltender Cody Drumm first began playing hockey 22 years ago, he never expected that one day his CIHL jersey would be hanging up in the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. But after meeting Hall chairman Don Wasson at a Peterborough Petes game earlier this year, Drumm – and the CIHL – now proudly have their place in Peterborough history.
Hong Kong - For Drumm, who first began skating at age five before picking up the sport of ice hockey two years later, not only was it unexpected to be in his city’s Hall of Fame, but the 29-year old never thought he would be playing elite hockey with the CIHL in Hong Kong.
“I never imagined I would have the opportunity to become a part of such a competitive league half way around the world from my home in Canada,” Drumm said. “I am so proud of the CIHL and greatly appreciate my position in it. I feel motivated to train and improve my skills as well as participate in community events – it’s great.”
Like many of the CIHL players,
Drumm’s interest in hockey only intensified as he grew older and after playing hockey throughout high school and university, he moved to Hong Kong, where in 2011 he began playing for the CIHL. With one of the league’s primary goals to increase participation in youth hockey in Hong Kong and raise the bar on the level of play, Drumm’s experience helps further the CIHL’s aims.
Commented CIHL director and co-founder Gregory Smyth: “The CIHL is honoured to be part of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and the whole league is delighted that Cody is receiving recognition for his contributions to the sport both in his hometown and abroad.”
As Drumm’s Sharks face off against the defending champions, the AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors, on Saturday, March 16 for the 2012-2013 RBC Asia Cup, the CIHL has, in just its second season, increased the profile and the level of ice hockey in Hong Kong. Several of its junior programmes have already seen a marked success, including its partnership with the U18 programme.
With the CIHL’s emphasis on youth hockey, Drumm hopes to not only inspire Hong Kong’s ice hockey community, but that his contribution to his hometown Hall of Fame will further inspire Peterborough hockey players to develop their skills and seek out opportunities to play the sport abroad.
“I feel lucky to have a place in there,” Drumm said. “I hope that when young players walk through the displays there they notice my jersey and details beside it and think to themselves that one day they might have an opportunity to travel the world and play competitively; perhaps even have pride that a fellow Peterborough boy is that far away playing in such a professional league!”
Tickets for final CIHL game of the season are available for purchase at http://www.cihl.com/tickets.php or by contacting info@cihl.com.
Stay up to date with all the news and information from the CIHL through the league’s website at www.cihl.com and the free iPhone app, available at the iTunes store, which allows fans to access on-demand video clips, game highlights, photographs, statistics, schedules and player information.
About the CIHL
The CIHL was founded in 2010 to provide new opportunities for high-level, contact hockey in Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China as well as to champion sportsmanship and develop future generations of Chinese hockey.
The Royal Bank of Canada is the official league sponsor for the 2012-2013 CIHL season. This year, the league will feature four teams: the Quam Hong Kong Tycoons, AsiaXPAT Kowloon Warriors, Macau Aces and South China Sharks Saturday nights from October 6, 2012 through March 16, 2013, the teams will face off at Mega Ice for two back-to-back games. Family entertainment, community events and on-ice kids’ competitions are aimed at making Saturdays a true “Hockey Night in Hong Kong”. The official website of the CIHL is www.cihl.com and a free iPhone app is available through the iTunes store.
For more information, please contact:
Gregory Smyth, CIHL, greg@cihl.com
