Ten years ago, the San Jose Sharks ventured into China to promote ice hockey, establishing the China Sharks team. Despite cultural challenges and interference, the project had memorable moments and laid groundwork for future development. Ice hockey has a long history in China, but interest has been low, with only 1,100 registered players. The NHL has been interested in the Chinese market for over a decade, with teams like the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and Vancouver Canucks establishing a presence. The San Jose Sharks effort with the China Sharks was one of the boldest attempts, facing hurdles like lack of infrastructure and meddling from the Chinese Ice Hockey Association. Despite frustrations, the team saw progress, especially in its second year, when San Jose took more control. Although the San Jose Sharks eventually pulled out in 2009, their efforts are now seen as a crucial first step in the sports current growth and the NHLs continued engagement in the region.DNN | The Daily News Now!The world’s first global local news network.Every city. Every story. AI powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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