Mexico Elite Hockey League

[Headcoach]

I had fun watching the cheerleaders in Pensacola last season. There were two games: how many would show up that night and how many would actually look happy. I say maybe 7 happy one all season and the most I ever saw at a game was 6.

Well, it's kind of sad that NHL teams have to stoop so low that they need scantly dressed girls to get people into the games.

If I am not mistaken, the guy running the league came from the NBA. No wonder why there's cheer leaders at the games.

Head coach

 

[El Gato Bodegero]

Hockey is not even close to be an almost popular sport in Mexico, for example I live in the 2nd-3rd biggest city of the country and I know like 3 or 4 people who like hockey. Of course if any NHL teams come to play a preseason game our city arena will be at full capacity(17,000.00) but that's a different story.

Hockey in Mexico is a sport for the Medium Upper class and we can have an 8 team amateur league with cheap tickets and few attendance but that's it.

In Mexico is like this:

Soccer>>>>>>>Baseball>>>Football>>>Basketball>>>>>Everything else>>>>>Hockey.

Plus there's no promotion for the NHL in Mexico!!! We have NFL Mexico with games on Local and Cable T.V and you can see Monday Night games in several of our local Cinema theaters , MLB games on Cable & Local T.V, NBA en español, but nothing on NHL.

 

[Headcoach]

Hockey is not even close to be an almost popular sport in Mexico, for example I live in the 2nd-3rd biggest city of the country and I know like 3 or 4 people who like hockey. Of course if any NHL teams come to play a preseason game our city arena will be at full capacity(17,000.00) but that's a different story.

Maybe you should have a bigger circle of friends. Could it be that there might be just a few more people that know what's going on with hockey in Mexico then you do? Here, let me help educate you. Check out these site first, then get back with us about hockey in Mexico.
http://forums.internationalhockey.net/forumdisplay.php?f=48
http://mexicohockey.com/

Hockey in Mexico is a sport for the Medium Upper class and we can have an 8 team amateur league with cheap tickets and few attendance but that's it.

Well, one has to start somewhere. Or, do we just stick our head in the sand and say....it can't happen here! In order for hockey to grow to it's next level, we need to start a semi-pro league like they have in Europe. I'm not talking about NHL caliber players, I'm talking about players that will make a little pay to play.

In Mexico is like this:

Soccer>>>>>>>Baseball>>>Football>>>Basketball>>>>>Everything else>>>>>Hockey.

Well, the reason I can talk like this is from experience. In 1993, I helped build a program for the Pumas of UNAM from 100 kids to over 900 kids in under two years. Today, 6 players from this program, play on the national team. So don't tell me it can't be done! It can, one just need to know how to do it.

Plus there's no promotion for the NHL in Mexico!!! We have NFL Mexico with games on Local and Cable T.V and you can see Monday Night games in several of our local Cinema theaters , MLB games on Cable & Local T.V, NBA en español, but nothing on NHL.

So what! You don't need the NHL in any country to promote hockey. We didn't have that in 1993 with the Pumas. How did we do it? How did we get a program with over 900 kids? In the land of Soccer... Well, if you ask me, it was pretty easy.

Head coach

 

[El Gato Bodegero]

Maybe you should have a bigger circle of friends. Could it be that there might be just a few more people that know what's going on with hockey in Mexico then you do? Here, let me help educate you. Check out these site first, then get back with us about hockey in Mexico.
http://forums.internationalhockey.net/forumdisplay.php?f=48
http://mexicohockey.com/



Well, one has to start somewhere. Or, do we just stick our head in the sand and say....it can't happen here! In order for hockey to grow to it's next level, we need to start a semi-pro league like they have in Europe. I'm not talking about NHL caliber players, I'm talking about players that will make a little pay to play.



Well, the reason I can talk like this is from experience. In 1993, I helped build a program for the Pumas of UNAM from 100 kids to over 900 kids in under two years. Today, 6 players from this program, play on the national team. So don't tell me it can't be done! It can, one just need to know how to do it.



So what! You don't need the NHL in any country to promote hockey. We didn't have that in 1993 with the Pumas. How did we do it? How did we get a program with over 900 kids? In the land of Soccer... Well, if you ask me, it was pretty easy.

Head coach

I know that site and I get your point but remember that 900 kids in a 20+ million population city is nothing remember that Canada has like 35 million so Mexico City is a country on its own.

The Pumas(UNAM) is the most important university and one of the biggest in the country.

I went to 5 Private different schools as a kid, 2 public schools, 3 High Schools and 3 universities and from all my life I only knew less than 5 persons who like hockey or follow it. Am not counting Mexicans who lived in canada cause most of them love it lol. Btw am not proud about my educational background

Its not the land of Soccer, we have 2 more than decent baseball leagues, a well organized w/ good gameplay Collegue football league and a decent Basketball league.

I love hockey and it can be done but it will never reach the same amaount of fanbase or gameplay level as Baseball or basketball.

Hockey in Mexico is popular as Baseball in Russia.

 

[Headcoach]

I know that site and I get your point but remember that 900 kids in a 20+ million population city is nothing remember that Canada has like 35 million so Mexico City is a country on its own.

Well, One of the things that Canada has are rinks on almost ever block. If not a rink, a pond. If not a pond, and out door rink with boards. All the rinks in Mexico city are full to capacity with skaters.

The next thing a rink needs in order to build hockey program is a pro-shop. Without it, it's slow growing.

The Pumas(UNAM) is the most important university and one of the biggest in the country.

And?

I went to 5 Private different schools as a kid, 2 public schools, 3 High Schools and 3 universities and from all my life I only knew less than 5 persons who like hockey or follow it. Am not counting Mexicans who lived in canada cause most of them love it lol. Btw am not proud about my educational background

When I left Mexico with my family, we had spend almost three years there. My daughter, when she came back to the USA to go to school. Had to wait 8 months for the rest of the kids in her grade to catch up with her, in reading, math and science. The privates schools in Mexico are some of the best schools in the world. They had my little girl taking French, Spanish and English all at the same time. Here in the USA, you will see none of that until the kid reaches High School.

I love hockey and it can be done but it will never reach the same amaount of fanbase or gameplay level as Baseball or basketball.

Well, first, people have to get over that Dooms day attitude. Second, allot of people come to hockey games just to watch the fighting and not for the love of the game and the finesse of the game. I'm sorry, but base ball just doesn't have enough action for me.

Are you playing in Mexico right now? What city and what rink are you playing in?

Head coach

 

[SC2008]

I can't see many Mexican's wanting to play or watch hockey. And I happen to know quite a few of them.

This will be a waste of time and NRG..

Actually, I disagree. I can see Mexican's liking hockey more than Americans.

Hockey is closer to soccer than either basketball or football.

 

[SC2008]

Hockey is not even close to be an almost popular sport in Mexico, for example I live in the 2nd-3rd biggest city of the country and I know like 3 or 4 people who like hockey. Of course if any NHL teams come to play a preseason game our city arena will be at full capacity(17,000.00) but that's a different story.

Hockey in Mexico is a sport for the Medium Upper class and we can have an 8 team amateur league with cheap tickets and few attendance but that's it.

In Mexico is like this:

Soccer>>>>>>>Baseball>>>Football>>>Basketball>>>>>Everything else>>>>>Hockey.

Plus there's no promotion for the NHL in Mexico!!! We have NFL Mexico with games on Local and Cable T.V and you can see Monday Night games in several of our local Cinema theaters , MLB games on Cable & Local T.V, NBA en español, but nothing on NHL.

Well sports like baseball and football had to start from somewhere, right? Why not hockey?

 

[Headcoach]

Well sports like baseball and football had to start from somewhere, right? Why not hockey?

Thank God! Someone who actually see the light.

Headcoach

 

[skogsstar]

Do we have any posters who are active in the league down in Mexico? I spend lots of time in Mexico City and what I miss the most is hockey.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Honestly I don't think that hockey needs to be as popular as baseball in order to be successful in Mexico. If even a moderate number are aware of it, enough to watch on TV and maybe buy an occasional ticket, that's enough for the sport to get a foothold. In the grand scheme of things that might not be much, but it makes a difference in international competitions, broadcast reach, etc. It's worthwhile.

 

[Headcoach]

Bye!

I have been hired to help build a hockey program in Monterrey, Mexico. 4 million people in that city. It is the size of Phoenix. Currently they have about 25 adults playing and 20 midgets, and 10 kids under 16 years of age.

I will keep everyone posted on what happens next.

Head coach

 

[Sploofin]

Honestly I don't think that hockey needs to be as popular as baseball in order to be successful in Mexico. If even a moderate number are aware of it, enough to watch on TV and maybe buy an occasional ticket, that's enough for the sport to get a foothold. In the grand scheme of things that might not be much, but it makes a difference in international competitions, broadcast reach, etc. It's worthwhile.

I have a few American friends and they always ask me why I like hockey so much — or at least why I hate baseball, basketball, and football. I had a few friends growing up who played those sports because they knew how to run and walk. And I thought that was pretty cool. But at the same time, they were kind of their own little clique at school — almost like outcasts. Wearing their Jerry Rice jerseys and stuff. And their baseball hair.

 

[wjhl2009fan]

I heard some rumors about this possible league a long time ago i think the intent of the league wasd to be more of a sr a type league and not a true pro league.

 

[Shrimper]

Mexico's biggest win is a 48-0 whitewash of Armenia back in 2005.

Currently play in the W20 Junior Championship and have done since 2000 and play in the Mens division III and the W20 Division II. They lost their first game 3-2 in a shootout against Belgium (The team they played first, way back in 2000 and lost 5-0 to, so improvement) and lost to Serbia 1-4. Play Romania tomorrow.

 

[ruercoz]

Soccer>>>>>>>Baseball>>>Football>>>Basketball>>>>>Everything else>>>>>Hockey.

i think it's football>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>boxing>>>>>> international football (La liga, champions league, EPL etc) >>>baseball>>>bull fighting>>>>am. football >>>> basketball

the Olympics are popular only every 4 years

Outside some universities noone really plays am. football on the streets or parks, the NFL is kind of popular in some cities though. Everyone in mexico plays basketball but the mexican league or NBA aren't that popular, it's like playing freesbee, just to hang out with friends but is not seen as a competitive sport

baseball is more of a regional sport but it's dying unfortunately younger generations know nothing about the sport

And I have never met a Mexican hockey fan in my life

 

[Headcoach]

And I have never met a Mexican hockey fan in my life

Hum, maybe you are not looking in the right places. In fact, all you need to do is just open one eye to find them! As for the Elite League. It had a rough start, but I think that they could make a go of it. However, I would like to see more teams join.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

So did this ever happen? Whats it like?

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Anybody? ^

 

[Oppa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Mexicana_Élite

 

[KaraLupin]

Well, Taquila is generally done at the end of the meal, for good digestion. And in Mexico, it is sipped, not slammed, like the rest of the world does, chased by salt and lime.

As for Tacos, they generally come four to a plates with two corn tortilla on each taco for support. Taquila is not served with tacos. Corona's are! And that comes with lime.


Four Tacos...$1.85 USD
Two Corona's...$.75 Cents USD
Herradura Taquila (the Horse shoe)...$1.00 USD
Watching Ice Hockey in Mexico City, where Mexicans are the best fighters in the world....Priceless!


Head coach

I admire what you have done for Hockey in Mexico, but to sell fighting as your main "Priceless" point of Mexican hockey is all wrong.


To develop Hockey as an encouragement for fighting is not going to attract the kind of athletes you want that will help sustain a team, and ultimately, a league.

Most of the kids involved in this league come from wealthier families, and fighting is the last thing on their mind, when they join up for hockey.

 

[Headcoach]

Really!

Mexican Sports Federation Ice Hockey, AC, awarded cash prizes for winning team in the near future, aims to set salaries for players of all teams, as well as explore the possibility of bringing foreign players to integrate the different teams Mexican League Elite.

LOLOLOLOLO...
How come they didn't do this last year?

 

[KaraLupin]

Mexican Sports Federation Ice Hockey, AC, awarded cash prizes for winning team in the near future, aims to set salaries for players of all teams, as well as explore the possibility of bringing foreign players to integrate the different teams Mexican League Elite.

LOLOLOLOLO...
How come they didn't do this last year?

Budget restraints...

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

So how is this Mexican hockey league doing?

 

[Headcoach]

So how is this Mexican hockey league doing?

This are still growing with ice hockey down here in Mexico. Mexican Ice Hockey Federation put on a PanAmerican Tournament last year in 2014 and has another one here this weekend or the next.

The Mexican Hockey Federation has been more active in building Ice Hockey here in Mexico. So good that there are now 3 or 4 brand new NHL regulation size rinks in Mexico City bring the total around 7 or 8 rinks.

The Mexican Federation just had a national Olympics here at facility that I am at here in Monterrey and they had (7) U18 teams (boys) and (6) Various ages (women) teams. Each team representing a different state within Mexico. The tournament was amazing and well organized thanks to the Mexican Federation.

As for my rink. I have (3) University Teams both with Varsity (A) and Junior Varsity (B) teams. Plus a couple of local teams to help round off each "A" and "B" league bringing it to a total of 8 teams.

We have had a league structure here for the last 3 years in which we play 26 games a year. Plus, we also built a Monterrey Referee Association that you can find on Facebook.

How that we have a University League, I'm working on the youth hockey league. I have 4 private school teams with about 8 kids on each team. It's a Cross Ice 3 on 3 League, also with 26 games a regular season. Which is growing at a 463% growth rate.

My goal is to reach 11 kids on each team so we can go full ice. But the rink was shut down for the last 4.5 months which put the breaks on everything as far as growth is concern. So I am hoping to start back up with all leagues in August.

But I now have about 5 kids that have aged out of the 12 and under 3 on 3 league. So I will be moving those kids into the University "B" league.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

Sounds good! Looks like hockey is progressing in Mexico!