Help the Israeli Ice Hockey Team Compete at Worlds

The Ice Hockey Federation of Israel or IHFI needs money to support its players to compete internationally. The government has pulled funding and there have been surprise legal bills - from an attempt to BAN Israel from participating - which have increased expenses. However, we know that others can help us during this troubling time.

In the face of the horrors we saw in Israel on October 7, 2023, and the resulting escalating global trends of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments, Jews and supporters of Israel are needed to come together to help in any way possible. Since the beginning of the Iron Swords War, communities around the world have combined forces with Israel, meeting the growing forces of evil in the world with a strong united front. Recently the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) banned all Israeli hockey teams from playing only 10 days before the U20 Men's World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria. Only 24 hours before the first game, and eight hours before a Court of Arbitration for Sport case where Israel appealed their ban, the IIHF overturned the ban and allowed Israel to compete.

The Israel U20 National Team, which finished 2nd in last year's championship, has been preparing on and off the ice to win the Gold Medal. Organizing the team to participate in the championship is a challenging and costly task during normal times. However, the travel costs significantly increased due to the last-minute decision to lift the ban. These costs included travel for players in professional and semiprofessional leagues across Europe and North America, such as Mike Levin, one of our top forwards playing in the Ontario Hockey League, Yuval Turner, U20 National Team Captain, playing for the New Jersey 87s in the Eastern Hockey League, and Evgeny Kuzevnikov, U20 Head Coach, arriving to the championship from Germany.

Our ability to support our players financially has been greatly affected by the Israeli government's changing priorities in the national budget to reduce expenses that are not necessary for the war effort. Additionally, the unexpected expenses associated with our legal effort has further stretched our already thin budget.

The goal of the Adopt a Player Program is to fully fund participation expenses for each national team player so all players have an equal opportunity to participate at no cost. In essence we will be communicating to them – WE GOT YOUR BACK. GO REPRESENT ISRAEL. WIN A GOLD MEDAL.

If you pledge $1500 you get to adopt a player and we will send you a Thank You Card and a jersey.

2024 NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM

The program serves 5 Teams

1. MEN NATIONAL TEAM:

The team is planned to participate the following World Championship (WC): Division II, Group A, SERBIA, Belgrade, 21 - 27 Apr 2024.

2. WOMEN NATIONAL TEAM:

The team is planned to participate in the following WC: Division III, Group B, ESTONIA, Kohtla-Jarve, 24 – 29 Mar 2024.

3. U20 NATIONAL TEAM:

The team is planned to participate the following WC: Division III, Group A, BULGARIA, Sofia, 22 - 28 Jan 2024.

4. U18 NATIONAL TEAM:

The team is planned to participate the following WC: Division II, Group B, SPAIN, Puigcerda, 17 - 23 Mar 2024.

5. U16 NATIONAL TEAM:

The team is planned to practice twice a month between December and April.

All national teams plan to practice on a weekly basis prior to their World Championships and to conduct a 3-5 day camp prior to their World Championship.

Additionally, U16, U18, U20, and Women's National Teams will participate in the Israel National Hockey League. This plan will allow them to practice and play together as a team and prepare for their championship.

Follow the results here for the U20 Championship! https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm20iiia