Taking advantage of Mongolia’s cold weather and bright sunshine, ice hockey teams came from Shanghai, Beijing, and around Ulaanbaatar to participate in an international hockey tournament this past weekend. 
Many nations, including Finland, Canada, Belgium, and America, were represented by expatriates playing with the Ulaanbaatar, Shanghai, and Beijing international teams. Ulaanbaatar was well-represented by two local teams, Otgon-Od and Bilegtkhuu, in addition to the UB international team. The tournament opened Friday when the UB teams played each other, and continued through Monday afternoon when Otgon-Od was declared the champion, having beaten every team they faced.  Although young, mostly between 18 and 23 years old, many of the Otgon-Od players also play for the Mongolian National Team, who will make their first appearance at the Ice Hockey World Championships, Division III, in Ireland this April.  Otgon-Od captain and coach, Ch. Purevdavaa, is proud of his players, who eight years ago were kids learning to skate.

At 42 years old, Purevdavaa, better known as Pujee, is one of Mongolian hockey's elders and General Secretary of the Mongolian Ice Hockey Association.  In 1998, with the help of Ray Plummer, a Canadian living in Beijing, Purevdavaa began the Otgon Od program by bringing a group of boys to Beijing for an international children's hockey tournament. 
For several years the Mongolian players returned to Beijing for successive tournaments, and then in 2002, Ray and his wife Helen, also a hockey player, helped Purevdavaa construct the Otgon-Od rink located in the 13th microdistrict, as well as a second rink east of the city. Today these rinks are two of the few rinks in UB suited for hockey, with adequate ice space, solid walls, sideline benches, and protective cages to keep the puck in the game. 

Many of the boys that made the early trips to Beijing are the same ones who are playing for the National Team today. This past weekend's tournament was important for the Mongolian teams because it gave them a chance to face off against international players from countries with strong hockey backgrounds.
Physically, they got to practice against experienced players, but mentally they got the support of being part of the international hockey community.  In turn, the international players get the rare experience of playing outdoors, with mountains in the backdrop, as well as a taste of Mongolian culture.  International tournaments such as this one also help the young Mongolian program, by collecting equipment that is scarce in Mongolia to outfit new players so the sport can grow.

During a ceremony on the ice Monday afternoon, the Otgon-Od team received their crystal championship trophy and Ray Plummer was awarded an Olympic Medal of Glory from the Mongolian National Olympic Committee for his contribution to Mongolian hockey.
Full of joy and gratitude at his team's success, Purevdavaa declared this is his last year playing for the team, though he will surely be present on the sidelines for years to come as hockey continues to develop in Mongolia.