The IIHF Asia Championship Series is a tournament initiative jointly agreed upon by the hockey federations of Kazakhstan, Japan, South Korea, and China, under the patronage of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Its main objective is to provide participating nations with a consistent platform for high-quality international competition. Four editions have been planned so far, with this year’s event marking the second installment.
Kazakhstan Entered the Tournament as Defending Champion
Last year’s inaugural tournament was held in Almaty, where Kazakhstan claimed the title on home ice – though not without a scare. as they suffered a surprising loss to South Korea in the tournament opener. Another memorable moment came when China defeated South Korea, marking its first win over the Koreans in 18 years.
Currently, the IIHF Asia Championship is held in both the men’s and women’s divisions, with discussions underway about expanding the format to include U20 and U18 age groups in the future.
2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championship: Kazakh Squad Cruises to Back-to-Back Title
Kazakhstan lived up to its status as the tournament favorite and confidently defended its Asian title without a single misstep. The only real challenge came from Japan in the final game. South Korea, meanwhile, secured the silver medal with a narrow 1–0 win over Japan. Host nation China struggled to make an impact and finished last without earning a single point.
| 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey Asia Championship, Beijing, China – Final Standings | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | GF:GA | PTS |
| 1 | 🥇 Kazakhstan | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13-6 | 9 |
| 2 | 🥈 South Korea | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6-4 | 6 |
| 3 | 🥉 Japan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7-6 | 3 |
| 4 | China | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2-12 | 0 |
| 2026 IIHF Asia Championship, Beijing, China – Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game | Result | Date & Time |
| South Korea vs Kazakhstan | 2-4 | 11/20 16:00 |
| Japan vs China | 4-1 | 11/20 19:30 |
| Japan vs South Korea | 0-1 | 11/22 16:00 |
| Kazakhstan vs China | 5-1 | 11/22 19:30 |
| Kazakhstan vs Japan | 4-3 | 11/23 16:00 |
| China vs South Korea | 0-3 | 11/23 19:30 |
Younger Rosters Take Center Stage in Beijing
All participating teams, with the exception of China, fielded players from their extended national team pools. This year, the average age across all rosters was even lower than in the previous edition.
| IIHF Asia Championship: Average Team Age | ||
|---|---|---|
| Team | 2026 | 2025 |
| Japan | 22.30 | 24.35 |
| China | 23.09 | 24.09 |
| South Korea | 24.26 | 24.68 |
| Kazakhstan | 25.74 | 26.55 |
Nothing New Under the Sun – Kazakhstan Reclaims the Asian Crown
Kazakhstan’s 2024-25 season was a rollercoaster ride. After a solid showing at the Olympic Qualifiers in Bratislava, where they finished second, the team delivered on expectations at both major Asian events – the Asia Championship and the Asian Winter Games. However, their World Championship campaign in Denmark ended in disappointment, as they failed to avoid relegation and were dropped from the top division.
New head coach Talgat Zhailauov, who took over from Oleg Bolyakin, brought a squad composed entirely of Pro Hokei Ligasy players to Beijing for the second edition of the continental championship. Still, it was a serious squad with plenty of talent – the Kazakh roster featured 16 players with KHL experience and was the tournament’s standout team. Several former U20 players were also given a chance to shine.
Kazakhstan went unbeaten throughout the tournament. In the opening game, they overcame a tough South Korean side 4–2, boosted by a surprise hat trick from occasional scorer Ivan Stepanenko. They followed it up with a comfortable 5–1 win over China. The biggest challenge came from a resilient Japanese team, but the reigning champions managed to edge them out 4–3.
The standout performer of the tournament was Maxim Musorov. The Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk forward built on his impressive individual season and, somewhat unexpectedly, led not only his team but the entire tournament in scoring. Veteran Roman Starchenko delivered as usual, while 20-year-old prospect Kirill Lyapunov made the most of his opportunity.
Anything other than a Kazakh victory would have been a major upset. But beyond the expected result, Kazakhstan deserves recognition for its contribution to the growth of Asian hockey – simply by participating, they elevate the level of competition and offer their regional rivals a valuable platform for development.
The true measure of Zhailauov’s success as head coach will be whether he can guide his team back to the top division. That mission begins at the World Championship Division 1A in Sosnowiec, Poland, where Kazakhstan will face France, Ukraine, Japan, Poland, and Lithuania.
Red-Hot Sangyeob Kim and Staunch Defense Power South Korea to Silver
South Korea could easily be dubbed the unluckiest team of the 2024-25 season. In the first Asia Championship, they stunned Kazakhstan in the opener but dropped their next two games and had to settle for third place. At the Asian Winter Games, they delivered excellent performances but faltered in the closing minutes – falling short against Kazakhstan and, more painfully, in the semifinal versus Japan, once again finishing with “just” bronze. Their World Championship Division 1B campaign ended in disappointment as well, with Lithuania snatching promotion right out of their hands.
Head coach Woo Jae Kim brought a significantly younger roster to Beijing for the second edition of the Asia Championship, featuring as many as seven debutants. In addition to testing fresh talent, he was also eager to see how players like Sangyeob Kim and Geon Woo Kim would handle their new leadership roles.
Once again, South Korea managed to give Kazakhstan a tough time, but this time the favored side held firm and secured a 4–2 victory. In their second game, the Koreans delivered a tactically disciplined performance backed by a stellar showing from goaltender Yeon Seung Lee, defeating Japan 1–0 thanks to the lone goal scored by Sangyeob Kim.
In their final game, South Korea cruised past host nation China with a commanding 3–0 win. The standouts were two-goal scorer Sangyeob Kim and rookie goaltender Garam Jang, who recorded a shutout in his debut.
The silver medal was a valuable achievement for South Korea’s young squad. Coach W. J. Kim intentionally left his top stars at home to give the next generation a chance to gain meaningful international experience.
The team’s top standouts included Sangyeob Kim, who found the back of the net in every game, and team captain Hee Doo Nam. One of South Korea’s biggest strengths was its goaltending, highlighted by two shutouts during the tournament.
South Korea still has the biggest challenge of the season ahead. At the upcoming World Championship Division 1B in Shenzhen, they are expected to battle for promotion alongside Romania and Estonia. Their other opponents will include Spain, the Netherlands, and host nation China.
Japan Takes “Only” Bronze – but Young Squad Shows Promise
The 2024–25 season proved to be a solid one for Japan. At the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Aalborg, Denmark, they gave Norway, Denmark, and Great Britain a serious run for their money. Then, at both major Asian events – the 2025 IIHF Asia Championship and the 2025 Asian Winter Games – they went head-to-head with Kazakhstan in battles for the title. Finally, they exceeded expectations at the World Championship Division 1A, finishing a respectable fourth in a highly competitive group.
Head coach Jarrod Skalde, who serves as a key link between Japan’s U20 and senior squads, stayed true to his philosophy at the second edition of the Asia Championship by fielding a youthful and energetic roster – no player on the team was older than 25.
Japan opened their campaign in Beijing with a routine 4–1 win over host nation China. However, in the crucial matchup, they fell short against their rivals from South Korea, suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat.
In their final game, Japan showed what they’re truly capable of. Although they lost 4–3 to Kazakhstan, a relentless late-game push with the goalie pulled put serious pressure on the reigning champions and nearly turned the tide.
Although Japan finished one spot lower than in last year’s edition, they have little reason for disappointment. For coach Skalde, the tournament served primarily as a proving ground for members of the extended national team pool, and the team’s performance – especially in the closing stages of tough matchups against Korea and Kazakhstan – offered plenty of promise for the future.
The depth Skalde has been systematically building could prove invaluable at the next major test – the upcoming World Championship Division 1A in Sosnowiec, Poland. There, Japan will face the host nation along with Lithuania, Ukraine, France, and once again, Kazakhstan.
And who knows? This might just be the moment for Japan to reap the rewards of the hard work they’ve put in over the past few years.
No Breakthrough Yet – China Struggles to Keep Pace
At the inaugural Asia Championship, China earned a landmark victory over South Korea – their first in 18 years. That was followed by this generation’s high point at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin in February 2025. Although China didn’t manage to beat any of the “big three,” they pushed Korea and Japan to one-goal games and nearly kept it just as close against Kazakhstan, trailing by just one late in the game before a final goal widened the margin.
Warning signs were already visible at the last World Championship Division 1B. While China once again managed to challenge tournament favorites like Korea and Lithuania, their offense looked toothless, and they struggled mightily against lower-ranked teams such as Croatia and Spain.
At the home edition of the IIHF Asia Championship, China had hoped to make a push for a medal – but once again, that ambition failed to materialize. The hosts fell in succession to Japan (1–4), Kazakhstan (1–5), and South Korea (0–3).
Finishing fourth wasn’t a major disappointment in itself – given the current balance of power in Asian hockey, the result was more or less expected. What was disappointing, however, was how far off the pace China looked this time. Unlike at the Asian Winter Games, their opponents weren’t even fielding their strongest possible rosters, yet China failed to come close in terms of quality.
Scoring goals once again proved to be a major issue. With such a lack of offensive bite, not even the consistently solid play of goaltender Shifeng Chen could save them.
China closed out the tournament on home ice with mixed feelings and plenty to reflect on. They’ll have a chance to regroup soon – once again on home turf – at the upcoming World Championship Division 1B in Shenzhen, where they’ll face Romania, South Korea, Estonia, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Bright and Blind Spots in the Beijing Edition
The second edition of the tournament proved the viability and purpose of the project. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that the tournament isn’t fully representative yet – national teams do not field their top rosters, which, given Kazakhstan’s current strength, may be neither feasible nor particularly beneficial at this stage.
Also worth mentioning is the minor disappointment surrounding the tournament’s venue choice. Organizers opted to stage the event at the rather unremarkable Ice Sports Training Base, a facility with a capacity of just over 800 spectators. Even then, they struggled to fill the stands, which did little to enhance the atmosphere or lend the event the sense of occasion it deserved.
The overall atmosphere of the tournament stood in stark contrast to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, where thousands of fans packed the stands and brought energy to every game. China will go on to host yet another major event – the upcoming World Championship Division 1B in Shenzhen. One can only hope that this time, the atmosphere will resemble Harbin far more than Beijing.
| Highlights of the Tournament |
| ✅ Standout performances from Maxim Musorov |
| ✅ Sangyeob Kim’s scoring form and consistency |
| ✅ Participation of veteran star Roman Starchenko |
| ✅ Valuable platform for young players |
| ✅ Impressive goaltending by young talents from Japan and South Korea |
| ✅ Japan’s performance against Kazakhstan, particularly their late-game pressure. |
| ✅ Live broadcasts available on IIHF.tv |
| Areas for Improvement |
| ❌ Broadcasts lacked commentary |
| ❌ Small venue and low spectator turnout |
| ❌ Questionable officiating throughout the tournament |
2026 IIHF Asia Championship: Scoring Leaders
The tournament’s top scorer, somewhat surprisingly, was Kazakhstan’s Maxim Musorov. He was followed by the event’s biggest star, Roman Starchenko. The leading goal scorer was Sangyeob Kim, a forward with Croatia’s KHL Sisak, who netted four goals.
The top-scoring defensemen of the tournament were Ivan Stepanenko of Kazakhstan and Hee Doo Nam of South Korea, each recording three points.
| 2026 IIHF Asia Championship, Beijing, China – Scoring Leaders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Team | GP | G | A | P |
| 1 | Maxim Musorov | KAZ | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 2 | Roman Starchenko | KAZ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | Yu Sato | JPN | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | Sangyeob Kim | KOR | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Teruto Nakajima | JPN | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | Ivan Stepanenko | KAZ | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | Hee Doo Nam | KOR | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
IIHF Asia Championship 2026: Goalie Stats
The tournament’s top goaltender was Yeon Seung Lee, who delivered two strong performances for South Korea. Alongside Garam Jang, he formed an excellent tandem that helped the team capture silver. Issa Otsuka continued his solid play after impressing at the last World Championship, while Roman Kalmykov turned in a respectable showing in his first major international appearance.
| 2026 IIHF Asia Championship, Beijing, China – Best Goalkeepers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Team | GP | GAA | SVS |
| 1 | Yeon Seung Lee | KOR | 2 | 2.00 | 93.33 |
| 2 | Issa Otsuka | JPN | 2 | 2.58 | 91.38 |
| 3 | Roman Kalmykov | KAZ | 2 | 2.50 | 90.38 |
| 4 | Shifeng Chen | CHN | 3 | 4.00 | 90.32 |
Team Statistics: Scoring Efficiency, Power Play, Penalty Killing
Kazakhstan led the tournament in both scoring efficiency and power play success, as expected. Surprisingly, however, their penalty killing turned out to be a weak spot, with all other teams outperforming them in that area – most notably South Korea.
| ⭐Scoring Efficiency | ⭐Power Play | ⭐Penalty Killing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | % | Team | % | Team | % |
| KAZ | 12.62 | KAZ | 30 | KOR | 90.91 |
| JPN | 6.60 | KOR | 28.57 | CHN | 87.50 |
| KOR | 6.25 | JPN | 22.22 | JPN | 76.92 |
| CHN | 2.94 | CHN | 7.69 | KAZ | 57.14 |
Sources, Quotes and Notes:
- iihf.com/en/events/2026/aom
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