International Series: United Arab Emirates - Junior Hockey News

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - One of the most competitive hockey countries in Asia has made the decision to send a team to the IIHF World U20 Junior Ice Hockey Championships for the very first time! The United Arab Emirates has competed internationally at the adult level since 2008 and have been ranked since 2010. This is an exciting time for our friends on the Persian Gulf as they continue to watch the development of the sport flourish. Since there are no records for their junior team just yet, take a look at the snapshot of their Men's team.

Team United Arab Emirates (Men's Team):

IIHF Record: 39-9-1

Division: III

Group: N/A

2012 Final Results: Did not participate

Head Coach: Yory Faikov (BLR)

For those of you unfamiliar with the UAE, it is a federation formed by seven monarchies (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain) whose constitution was made official in 1971. Although hockey has been in Asian countries for quite some time, its movement into the Middle East has been tortoiselike for obvious reasons. However, since the inaugural IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia in 2008, the sport has taken off faster than a camel race.

Without knowing who will be participating for UAE's junior team, it is hard to speculate how they will play at the 2013 WJHC. What we do know is that when the Emirates take the ice at the Division III level in Bulgaria, all eyes of the western Asian world will be fixated upon them. To see just how big of an impact hockey has made in their country, take a look at this video from the IIHF.

Matt Prosser, Beat Writer for JuniorHockey.com and host of the upcoming show: Junior Hockey Central. Founder of Fifty8 Productions and freelance writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Voice of California State University, Sacramento Hockey and host of The Sports Cycle with Matt Prosser on KSSU1580 Sacramento. For questions, writing ventures, or advertising/sponsorships for the show please e-mail Matt@Fifty8productions.com. Follow on Twitter @MattProsser58 or visit www.Fifty8Productions.com.