STORY: Senior ice hockey team redefines youth with passion
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 13, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:05
LOCATION: SHIJIAZHUANG, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of senior ice hockey team players competing in the game
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): AN MINGLI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHAO BINGSHUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
4. various of senior ice hockey team players preparing for the training session
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): MI LIANXI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DU PEIJUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
7. various of senior ice hockey team players competing in the game
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): ZHANG HAIJUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
9. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): SONG YUELONG, Member of the senior ice hockey team
10. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): AN MINGLI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
11. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): ZHANG KEHAI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
12. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): Senior ice hockey team

STORYLINE:

A fast-paced and thrilling winter sport is not merely for the young. In Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province, a senior ice hockey team with an average age of nearly seventy is redefining youth through passion and enthusiasm.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): AN MINGLI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"The oldest member of the ice hockey team is 73 years old, while the youngest is 55, with an average age of approximately 67 or 68."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHAO BINGSHUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"We belong to the 'post-60s' generation. Members at 65 are still considered relatively young in our team."

Support from family has become a strong help for them to maintain this hobby in the long term.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): MI LIANXI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"The protective blade covers for hockey skates were made by his wife, one by one."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): DU PEIJUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"I have been playing ice hockey with them for four years, and my wife supports me. I live far away. To wait for me after my noon training session, she has shifted our lunch time to 1 p.m."

The continuous improvement of professional facilities has made it possible to play ice hockey year-round.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): ZHANG HAIJUN, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"We old friends have had a passion for ice hockey since a young age. Back then, there were no indoor arenas, and natural ice was available for only one or two months each year. We were left longing the rest of the year for ice season. Today, with more indoor ice rinks, these venues have become our regular gathering spots. Additionally, we are often invited to participate in competitions in different arenas within and outside the city."

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): SONG YUELONG, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"The conditions are excellent. This indoor venue is superb, with very clean ice allowing for smooth skating and faster puck movement."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): AN MINGLI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"Although at an elderly age, we have the energy of youth while playing ice hockey. Ice hockey is a sport filled with passion. People without that fervor cannot play."

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): ZHANG KEHAI, Member of the senior ice hockey team
"After the game, everyone shares a hearty laugh and feels extremely happy. Our slogan is: 'I exercise, I play hockey, and I am happy.'"

SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): Senior ice hockey team
"Happy ice hockey."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shijiazhuang, China.
(XHTV)