How ice hockey found an unexpected home in Dubai

Ice hockey might seem more at home in the frozen landscapes of Canada than beneath the desert sun of Dubai, but a dedicated community of players is proving that the sport can thrive in unexpected places. Mike Freeson, who grew up in rural Alberta, Canada, now plays for the Dubai Mighty Camels. For someone raised where hockey was deeply embedded in everyday culture, moving to the United Arab Emirates created an entirely different sporting experience. Natural ice and freezing outdoor conditions have been replaced by indoor rinks, powerful air conditioning and temperatures that can still challenge the facilities. Yet the reason people step onto the ice remains familiar. They simply love the game.

Freeson grew up with the same ambition shared by many young Canadian hockey players, dreaming that he might one day compete at a high level. His journey eventually brought him thousands of kilometres from Alberta to Dubai, where he found an organized and competitive hockey community. The Emirates Hockey League was created to bring strong players in the UAE together while helping develop local talent. According to Freeson, the league featured six teams and attracted athletes with remarkably varied backgrounds. Some had professional experience, while others had competed at high college or university levels in the United States and Canada. Players with experience in European hockey have also joined, giving the league an international character that reflects the UAE's diverse population.