China men's national ice hockey team
China's national men's ice hockey team, governed by the CIHA.
The national men's ice hockey team of the People's Republic of China operates under the Chinese Ice Hockey Association and holds membership in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). In the 2025 IIHF World Ranking, the squad sits at 25th globally and ranks 4th among Asian nations in the AIH Asian Ranking.
China first appeared at the World Championship in 1972, competing in Pool C. Its strongest period came in the 1980s, highlighted by a 15th-place finish in 1982—the best result the team has ever recorded at the world championship. A downturn began in the early 1990s, driven by an aging core of players, a shortage of new talent, and reduced government backing as the country moved toward a market-based sports system. The team fell to Division IIB, the fifth tier, and spent many years ranked between 35th and 40th worldwide.
As host nation for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China earned an automatic spot in the men’s ice hockey tournament despite being ranked only 38th in the IIHF World Ranking when the hosting rights were awarded. To prepare, the team naturalized 15 players, 11 of whom had Chinese ancestry. Although China did not earn a single point in the tournament, it came close in a 2–3 loss to Germany, the defending Olympic silver medalist. Starting in 2023, the Chinese Ice Hockey Association shifted away from naturalized players and committed to developing a roster of domestic talent. This rebuilt squad has held its place in Division IB for three consecutive years and, in November 2024, competed in the first IIHF Asia Championship.
**Tournament record**
**Olympic Games** 2022 – 12th place
**World Championship record** 1972 – 18th place (5th in Pool C) 1973 – 19th place (5th in Pool C) 1974 – 20th place (6th in Pool C) 1978 – 20th place (4th in Pool C) 1979 – 18th place (Pool B) 1981 – 18th place (2nd in Pool C). Promoted to Pool B 1982 – 15th place (6th in Pool B). Relegated to Pool C 1983 – 19th place (3rd in Pool C) 1985 – 19th place (3rd in Pool C) 1986 – 18th place (2nd in Pool C). Promoted to Pool B 1987 – 16th place (8th in Pool B). Relegated to Pool C 1989 – 19th place (3rd in Pool C) 1990 – 19th place (3rd in Pool C) 1991 – 18th place (2nd in Pool C). Promoted to Pool B 1992 – 19th place (7th in Pool B) 1993 – 19th place (7th in Pool B) 1994 – 20th place (8th in Pool B).
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- 龙 (Dragons)
- Association
- Chinese Ice Hockey Association
- General Manager
- Tian Tengjun
- Coach
- Perry Pearn
- Asst Coach
- Eugene Reilly / Zheng Enlai / Yudi Zhou
- Captain
- Zhang Zesen
- Most Games
- Wang Dahai (87)
- Top Scorer
- Zhang Zesen (24)
- Most Points
- Zhang Zesen (50)
- Iihf Code
- CHN
- Iihf Max
- 25
- Iihf Max Date
- 2025
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
China made its World Championship debut in 1972 in Pool C. The team experienced its golden era during the 1980s, achieving its best-ever result at the world championship by finishing 15th in 1982. The team began to decline in the early 1990s, struggling with an aging core, lack of replacements, and decreasing government support as the country shifted toward a market-based sports system. China soon dropped to Division IIB (the fifth tier) and spent years ranked between 35th and 40th in the world.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China participated in the men's ice hockey tournament as the host nation, earning an automatic berth despite being ranked just 38th in the IIHF World Ranking at the time of the hosting rights award. In preparation for the Olympic tournament, China naturalized 15 players – 11 of whom were of Chinese descent. While the team failed to earn a single point, it impressed by narrowly losing 2–3 to Germany, the defending Olympic silver medalist.
Beginning in 2023, the Chinese Ice Hockey Association moved away from naturalized players and committed to building a roster of domestic talent. The rejuvenated squad has managed to stay in Division IB for three consecutive years and, in November 2024, took part in the inaugural IIHF Asia Championship.
Reader's Guide
The China men's national ice hockey team has a history marked by a brief golden era in the 1980s, followed by a long decline due to an aging core and reduced government support. Its most notable recent event was participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics as host nation, where the team naturalized 15 players but failed to earn a point, though it narrowly lost to Germany. Since 2023, the team has shifted focus to domestic talent and has maintained a position in Division IB for three consecutive years. The team also competed in the inaugural IIHF Asia Championship in November 2024. As of 2025, China is ranked 25th in the IIHF World Ranking and 4th in the AIH Asian Ranking, reflecting a modest recovery from its lowest rankings between 35th and 40th. The team's legacy includes multiple promotions and relegations between Pool C, Division I, and Division II, with its best World Championship finish being 15th in 1982.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey 1-24
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