‘This Is Hockey’ documentary previewed at LATAM Cup

The growth of sport in Latin America and the Caribbean is spotlighted in a 7-part series.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Owen Haiek watched perhaps the most important goal of his hockey career on a giant silver screen Wednesday and smiled.

“It was amazing,” Haiek said.

Haiek was referencing his decisive goal in double overtime that led Argentina to a 3-2 victory over Greece Heritage HC, securing the 2023 Amerigol LATAM Cup men’s Division I championship.

He also discussed witnessing that golden goal as part of “This Is Hockey,” an upcoming seven-part documentary series from NHL Productions. The series, set to air later this season, will focus on initiatives to expand the sport in Latin American and Caribbean regions.

On the first day of the 2024 LATAM Cup Tournament, players from Argentina’s men’s and women’s teams attended a screening at the Paragon Theater. The episode they watched was about the expansion of soccer in their home country, which is known for its intense passion for the sport.

“The editing and the work are truly incredible,” said Haiek, a forward and captain of the Division I men’s team. “We hope that viewers will grasp our passion for hockey in Argentina, our emotions as players, and our efforts to develop it. They can see the hard work we put in.”

During the LATAM Cup tournament, which is taking place at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs and the Baptist Health IcePlex – the practice facility for the 2024 Stanley Cup champions, teams from Brazil and Colombia will have the opportunity to watch episodes about their respective countries. The tournament runs until Sunday.

The tournament is sponsored by the NHL, NHL Players Association through the International Growth Fund, and the Panthers.

The concept for the series, which was financed by the IGF, came from Collin Kornfeind, the senior producer/editor at NHL Productions, and Donny Khan, the NHL’s Senior Director of Hockey Development and Strategic Collaboration.

Since its establishment in 2018 by Juan Carlos Otero, they had been present or reported on the LATAM Cup multiple times. They were particularly struck by the passion and pride exhibited by players from what are usually considered non-traditional hockey markets.

Kornfeind and Khan journeyed to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Mexico to film. They provided a platform for players and organizers to express their passion for the sport.

Khan expressed, “The tournament is a testament to the global popularity of hockey. I believe it serves as a genuine approach for us at the NHL to demonstrate our commitment to growing our fanbase. We welcome all game enthusiasts, irrespective of their location. Our idea to strengthen this connection involves visiting the home countries of some of the teams participating in the LATAM Cup.”

All countries and territories strive to be contenders on the international hockey scene, dreaming of one day participating in world championships under the International Ice Hockey Federation and even the Winter Olympics.

However, each one confronts unique obstacles in achieving those dreams, which can range from climate issues to the scarcity of rinks, or the expense of transporting equipment to their native lands.

Despite this, the dream and desire have not been diminished, as shown by the continuously expanding LATAM Cup. The tournament this year features 52 teams from men’s, women’s and youth categories, with over 1,100 players hailing from 17 different countries and territories, including those highlighted in the documentary series.

One of the luckier nations, Argentina, has an outdoor rink in Ushuaia, a resort town located at the most southern point of South America. This town is often referred to as “El Fin del Mundo” or “End of the World.”

The capital city, Buenos Aires, is nearly 1,500 miles away and ice is only available there for about three months each year. However, an indoor rink is currently under construction in Buenos Aires.

Owen’s father, Dicky Haiek, who is also the coach and founder of the Argentine Association of Ice and In-Line Hockey, stated that the forthcoming rink and the documentary series “This Is Hockey” will aid in elevating the sport’s profile in Argentina.

“He stated, ‘We are collaborating with the IIHF to initiate a program that introduces school kids to the rink, and this includes Ushuaia. I believe that with the support of the IIHF, our government, and this documentary series, we can build a strong foundation. And as you know, a broad base leads to excellent players at the top.'”