Ice Hockey Federation of Israel
The Israel Ice Hockey Federation is the official body that governs amateur ice hockey in Israel and represents the country in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Its IIHF code is ISR, and it is sometimes called the Ice Hockey Federation of Israel to differentiate it from the IIHF.
Ice hockey began in Israel when the first rink opened in Qiryat Motzkin in 1986. In 1988 the Israel Ice Hockey and Figure Skating Association was formed, and it joined the IIHF in 1991. When the hockey and figure skating groups grew apart, the hockey association became the Ice Hockey Federation of Israel.
Israel first competed in IIHF events at Pool C in 1992, in South Africa, finishing 5th out of six teams. The sport’s growth was helped by Russian Jewish émigrés who moved to Metula and coached at the Canada Centre rink, including Boris Mindel, a former Red Army defenseman, who started a junior program. Canadian and American coaches, including Roger Neilson, also contributed by running camps and bringing young North American players to train with Israelis.
By 2005 there were three ice rinks in Israel: the Olympic facility and practice rink at the Canada Centre in Metula, and a smaller rink in Ma’alot.
Ice hockey featured at the Maccabiah Games for the first time in 1997, with teams from the United States, Canada, Ukraine, and Israel, and many NCAA and NHL players taking part.
In 2005 Israel won gold in IIHF Division II Group B and was promoted to Division I for the 2006 World Championships. In 2006, after being outscored 47–3 in Division I, Israel was relegated back to Division II for 2007.
In the summer of 2007, Metula hosted the first World Jewish Ice Hockey Tournament, with teams from Israel, Canada, France, and the United States; the United States won the tournament.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:55 (CET).