Mexico men's national ice hockey team
Mexico is the only Latin American team in IIHF tournaments.
The Mexico national ice hockey team (Spanish: Selección Mexicana de hockey sobre hielo) is the national men's ice hockey team of Mexico, controlled by the Mexico Ice Hockey Federation (Spanish: Federación Deportiva de Mexico de Hockey sobre Hielo) and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). As of 28 May 2023, Mexico is ranked 37th in the IIHF World Ranking, and is the only Latin American team that competes in IIHF tournaments.
Quick Facts
- Association
- Federación Deportiva de Mexico de Hockey sobre Hielo (FDMHH)
- General Manager
- Joaquin de la Garma
- Coach
- Diego de la Garma
- Asst Coach
- Bernd Haake
- Captain
- Héctor Majul
- Most Games
- Fernando Ugarte (134)
- Top Scorer
- Adrian Cervantes (72)
- Most Points
- Adrian Cervantes (142)
- Iihf Code
- MEX
- Iihf Max
- 32
- Iihf Max Date
- 2010, 2014, 2015
- Iihf Min
- 43
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mexico joined the IIHF on 30 April 1985. They played their first game during the 2000 World Championships, losing to Belgium 5–0. Since then they have participated in every World Championship and are currently in Division III A. Mexico is the only Latin American team that competes in IIHF tournaments. Mexico hosted the Pan American Tournament from 2014 to 2017, losing to the Canada Selects once and to Colombia in the final match three times. In 2017, Mexico won its first Pan American Tournament, going undefeated 6–0 after defeating Colombia in the final. Mexico won the IIHF World Championship Division III as host in 2005 Mexico City, beating South Africa, Luxembourg, Ireland and Armenia, and was promoted to Division II for 2006.
Reader's Guide
Mexico's significance lies in its role as the sole Latin American representative in IIHF tournaments, a distinction that underscores its unique position in international ice hockey. The team's history, beginning with IIHF membership in 1985 and its first World Championship appearance in 2000, reflects a gradual development within a region not traditionally associated with the sport. Hosting and winning the IIHF World Championship Division III in 2005 in Mexico City marked a notable achievement, leading to promotion to Division II. The Pan American Tournament, hosted by Mexico from 2014 to 2017, provided a regional competitive platform; after three final losses to Colombia and one to the Canada Selects, Mexico secured its first Pan American title in 2017 with an undefeated 6–0 record. As of 28 May 2023, Mexico's 37th place in the IIHF World Ranking and its continued participation in Division III A demonstrate its ongoing presence in the global ice hockey landscape, despite limited regional competition.
Divisional Rollercoaster
Israel's journey through the IIHF World Championship divisions has been one of the most dramatic in the sport. In 2005, the team achieved its greatest milestone by winning its Division II group and earning promotion to Division I — a first and, to date, only appearance at that level. However, the stay was brief; just one year later, Israel was relegated back to Division II. The slide continued, and by 2010 the team found itself demoted all the way to Division III. Yet the story did not end there. In 2011, Israel finished first in Division III Group B, winning all five of its games with a combined score of 57–9, and earned promotion back to Division II for the 2012 tournament. That same year in Bulgaria, the team successfully defended its Division II spot, proving the 2011 surge was no fluke and re-establishing Israel as a competitive force in the middle tiers of world hockey.
The Sherbatov Era
Eliezer Sherbatov has been the defining figure in Israeli ice hockey. At just 13 years old, he stepped onto the ice at the 2005 IIHF World U18 Championship Division III in Bulgaria, becoming the youngest player ever to compete in an under-18 world championship. In that tournament he recorded 9 points across 5 games as Israel claimed bronze — the nation's first medal in a hockey championship. His dominance grew over the years: in the 2011 Division III Group B tournament, he led the competition in points, goals, assists, and plus-minus, amassing 26 points in just four games and earning the best forward honor. From 2015 through at least 2020, Sherbatov served as team captain, guiding Israel through its ongoing push to climb the international rankings and anchor the squad's identity for a full generation of players.
Gold in Mexico City
The 2019 IIHF World Championship Division II Group B tournament in Mexico City marked a historic breakthrough for Israeli hockey. The team captured the gold medal — Israel's first-ever gold in the sport — and earned a qualifying spot for the Division 2A World Championships the following year. Eliezer Sherbatov was the engine behind the triumph, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 15 points (7 goals and 8 assists) in five games. He also posted the best plus-minus rating, led the goal-scoring charts, and was named Best Forward of the tournament. The victory in Mexico City represented the culmination of years of divisional ups and downs, finally delivering a championship trophy to a nation that had long been a small participant on the global ice hockey stage.
The Olympic Dream
Israel has attempted Olympic qualification four times, and each effort has ended in disappointment. The first try came in 1996 for the 1998 Winter Games. Israel lost a preliminary match to Greece 10-2 in Metula, but Greece was later found to have used ineligible players. A replacement match against Yugoslavia in Kaunas ended 5-3 against Israel, yet Israel was still disqualified because of its own use of ineligible Russian players; both forfeited scores were recorded as 5-0. The 2012 attempt for the 2014 Olympics saw Israel as the lowest-ranked qualifier at 40th place, losing every game in a Zagreb round-robin against Croatia, Serbia, and Mexico. In 2015, targeting the 2018 Games, Israel beat Bulgaria in Tallinn but fell to Estonia and Mexico, failing to advance past the first preliminary round. The 2019 push for the 2022 Olympics was the most promising: ranked high enough to skip the first round, Israel competed in Brașov, losing to Romania and Iceland but edging Kyrgyzstan in overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Mexico men's national ice hockey team?
It is the national men's ice hockey squad representing Mexico in international competition, governed by the Mexico Ice Hockey Federation and competing under IIHF rules. The team has been a full IIHF member since April 30, 1985.
What division and ranking does Mexico hold in IIHF ice hockey?
As of May 28, 2023, Mexico sits at 37th in the IIHF World Ranking and competes in Division III A of the World Championship structure.
When did Mexico first appear at an IIHF World Championship?
Mexico's debut came at the 2000 World Championships, where they fell 5–0 to Belgium in their opening match.
Is Mexico the only Latin American nation competing in IIHF tournaments?
Yes, Mexico is the sole team from Latin America that currently takes part in IIHF-sanctioned events, making it a unique representative of the region on the global ice hockey stage.
What is Mexico's most notable ice hockey result?
Mexico claimed the Division III World Championship title in 2005 when they hosted the tournament in Mexico City. They also earned their first Pan American Tournament victory in 2017.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced