Earlier this month, over a dozen hockey enthusiasts travelled to India to coach and play with the National Women's Hockey Team.

The group included Darrin Harrold, the Director of Hockey Operations for Airdrie Minor Hockey as well as Gold Medalist Hayley Wickenheiser and Stanley Cup Champion Andrew Ference.

Playing hockey on the ice in Ley, India (Photo Courtesy: Darrin Harrold)

Their journey took them to the Himalayan Region of Ladakh and into the city of Ley, where Harrold previously visited in February 2016.

Harrold says that the main part of this expedition was to meet with the Women's Team.

"We coached the girls, donated equipment and the other piece was to help them set up an association and a governance body because right now it's run by one person."

Harrold says they also brought over 70 bags of equipment that were donated to the hockey community in Ley, as there's no other way for them to purchase or receive the skates, pads and jerseys they need.

A lot has changed in the region over the last couple years according to Harrold, especially with how much they've embraced the sport.

"If I had to put a number on it, there was probably, any given day 150 people on that ice. Kids, girls, Army people, people playing hockey, people just skating, you name it. It's grown exponentially."

Harrold says there are many experiences that stand out from the adventure, but one, in particular, he really treasures.

"Just being on the ice with Hayley and Andrew Ference and there was a couple other guys who played in some high-level hockey. We had a couple of friendly matches. It was just fun being on the ice."

According to Harrold, there are plans in place to bring the National Women's Team from India to Canada with a possible stop in Airdrie at the beginning of November.

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