2018-19 Kenya Ice Lions Replica
#87 Sidney Crosby
Manufacturer: Uncommonfit
Size: XXL
Purchased From: Kenya Ice Lions via FriendshipLeague.org
Lettered by: Kenya Ice Lions
The Story: In 2006, a small group of Kenyan ice hockey fans, who learned about the game on the Internet, decided that they wanted to learn how to play the game they had been watching on their computers. Led by Benard Azagere, they formed the first semblance of a hockey program in Kenya, but they had numerous roadblocks to overcome. For starters, this is Kenya. There's not a lot of ice there. But the tenacious group of Kenyans, who named themselves the Ice Lions, saved up their funds to skate at the small ice surface known as the Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Sky Centre Hotel in Nairobi. Built in 2005, the Solar Ice Rink is the largest ice surface in Africa, and though it's only about half the size of a standard hockey rink and has actual square corners, it allowed Ben's team to learn to skate and practice the game. Another problem: they don't have sporting goods stores that carry ice hockey equipment because, again, this is Kenya. People don't play hockey there! Nonetheless, they got whatever equipment they could get and practiced with and against each other, following their passion on the Solar Ice Rink whenever they could.
That changed in late-2018. Tim Horton's, the famous Canadian coffee-and-donut chain named after its founder (coincidentally enough, a former Penguin), heard about them and brought them to Toronto so they could live their dream and play a game against another team, a local team from nearby Mississauga. But that wasn't the end of the journey! The Ice Lions toured Toronto and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Ice Lions never had full hockey gear, so Tim Horton's outfitted them from head to toe for the first time. In the small rink in Nairobi, they play three-on-three, due in part to the rink size and in part to the fact that they just don't have enough bodies. The local Mississauga team got them a goalie and Tim Horton's arranged to get them a couple of players to help them out for the game - Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Colorado's Nate McKinnon! As chronicled in a short commercial that went viral on social media as well as a full-length documentary about the experience, the Ice Lions players were brought to tears. They carried their emotion onto the ice and actually won their game, 5-4.
Soon after their story went viral, Kenya Ice Lions jerseys were available from dozens of websites online. Thinking they were supporting the Ice Lions, a whole lot of people bought them, only to find out that some dishonest folks had created websites to make a quick buck off the Ice Lions' story. However, many people were able to donate to their cause and, as the program grew, the Ice Lions have developed quite a passionate fan following! However, the Ice Lions program still has a long way to go, as illustrated by the fact that they finally got a skate sharpening machine in November 2019. To insure the program's continued growth, they've created a youth program to teach the game to the youth of Kenya. The Ice Lions have added Faith Sihoho as the first woman on their team as they work to add a women's program to the organization as well. They continue to receive support from around the world, including former New Jersey Devils and Russian hockey icon Slava Fetisov. Further, they've partnered with Howe International Friendship League to raise funds through the sale of their jerseys as well as by inviting teams from around the world to the annual Kenya Ice Hockey Experience. The funds they generate goes toward ice time and equipment for this still-fledgling program.
This jersey was purchased directly from the Ice Lions through the Friendship League. It's actually a really nice-looking jersey, with the name, numbers, and shoulder logos dye-sublimated and an embroidered crest following a color scheme of the Kenyan national flag of green trimmed in black and red. The gold Ice Lions crests on the chest and shoulders are well-detailed and the logo on the neckline - the Massai shield appearing on the Kenyan flag with hockey sticks replacing the traditional spears - is a really nice touch. I'm happy to support the program as they strive toward their next dream - fielding a team in the Winter Olympic Games. I'll wear this jersey proudly as it reminds me not only of the story of how Sidney Crosby and Nate McKinnon brought a spotlight to building the most unlikely of hockey teams, but also that, through sports, how people from around the world can come together to help each other. To purchase a Kenya Ice Lions jersey or learn more about the Kenya Ice Hockey Experience, please go to www.friendshipleague.org or follow the team on Facebook.
Size: XXL
Purchased From: Kenya Ice Lions via FriendshipLeague.org
Lettered by: Kenya Ice Lions
The Story: In 2006, a small group of Kenyan ice hockey fans, who learned about the game on the Internet, decided that they wanted to learn how to play the game they had been watching on their computers. Led by Benard Azagere, they formed the first semblance of a hockey program in Kenya, but they had numerous roadblocks to overcome. For starters, this is Kenya. There's not a lot of ice there. But the tenacious group of Kenyans, who named themselves the Ice Lions, saved up their funds to skate at the small ice surface known as the Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Sky Centre Hotel in Nairobi. Built in 2005, the Solar Ice Rink is the largest ice surface in Africa, and though it's only about half the size of a standard hockey rink and has actual square corners, it allowed Ben's team to learn to skate and practice the game. Another problem: they don't have sporting goods stores that carry ice hockey equipment because, again, this is Kenya. People don't play hockey there! Nonetheless, they got whatever equipment they could get and practiced with and against each other, following their passion on the Solar Ice Rink whenever they could.
That changed in late-2018. Tim Horton's, the famous Canadian coffee-and-donut chain named after its founder (coincidentally enough, a former Penguin), heard about them and brought them to Toronto so they could live their dream and play a game against another team, a local team from nearby Mississauga. But that wasn't the end of the journey! The Ice Lions toured Toronto and the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Ice Lions never had full hockey gear, so Tim Horton's outfitted them from head to toe for the first time. In the small rink in Nairobi, they play three-on-three, due in part to the rink size and in part to the fact that they just don't have enough bodies. The local Mississauga team got them a goalie and Tim Horton's arranged to get them a couple of players to help them out for the game - Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Colorado's Nate McKinnon! As chronicled in a short commercial that went viral on social media as well as a full-length documentary about the experience, the Ice Lions players were brought to tears. They carried their emotion onto the ice and actually won their game, 5-4.
Soon after their story went viral, Kenya Ice Lions jerseys were available from dozens of websites online. Thinking they were supporting the Ice Lions, a whole lot of people bought them, only to find out that some dishonest folks had created websites to make a quick buck off the Ice Lions' story. However, many people were able to donate to their cause and, as the program grew, the Ice Lions have developed quite a passionate fan following! However, the Ice Lions program still has a long way to go, as illustrated by the fact that they finally got a skate sharpening machine in November 2019. To insure the program's continued growth, they've created a youth program to teach the game to the youth of Kenya. The Ice Lions have added Faith Sihoho as the first woman on their team as they work to add a women's program to the organization as well. They continue to receive support from around the world, including former New Jersey Devils and Russian hockey icon Slava Fetisov. Further, they've partnered with Howe International Friendship League to raise funds through the sale of their jerseys as well as by inviting teams from around the world to the annual Kenya Ice Hockey Experience. The funds they generate goes toward ice time and equipment for this still-fledgling program.
This jersey was purchased directly from the Ice Lions through the Friendship League. It's actually a really nice-looking jersey, with the name, numbers, and shoulder logos dye-sublimated and an embroidered crest following a color scheme of the Kenyan national flag of green trimmed in black and red. The gold Ice Lions crests on the chest and shoulders are well-detailed and the logo on the neckline - the Massai shield appearing on the Kenyan flag with hockey sticks replacing the traditional spears - is a really nice touch. I'm happy to support the program as they strive toward their next dream - fielding a team in the Winter Olympic Games. I'll wear this jersey proudly as it reminds me not only of the story of how Sidney Crosby and Nate McKinnon brought a spotlight to building the most unlikely of hockey teams, but also that, through sports, how people from around the world can come together to help each other. To purchase a Kenya Ice Lions jersey or learn more about the Kenya Ice Hockey Experience, please go to www.friendshipleague.org or follow the team on Facebook.