Canada Brings NHL Expertise to India Hockey Festival

Canadian hockey leaders launch the inaugural India Hockey 360 Festival in Chandigarh to expand ice hockey development.

In an unprecedented cross-border sports initiative, Canadian hockey leaders have brought professional National Hockey League (NHL) expertise to India through the launch of the inaugural India Hockey 360 Festival. Running from July 31 to August 2, 2026, in Chandigarh, the multi-day event is co-organized by NHL broadcaster and Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi host Randip Janda alongside Tulsea Sports Marketing (TSM). Supported by major global organizations including the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks, Bauer Hockey, and the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI), the festival aims to build long-term structural pathways for player development, coaching education, and grassroots community programming in the region.

Professional Leadership and Grassroots Expansion

According to official event announcements, the initiative features high-profile leadership from figures deeply embedded in North American professional hockey.

• Elite Coaching Insights: Harry Mahesh, Assistant Coach of the Abbotsford Canucks and a member of their Calder Cup championship-winning coaching staff, is spearheading player development workshops and leading professional mentorship sessions during the Coaches Summit.

• Pioneering Representation: For Randip Janda—recognized historically as the NHL's first full-time South Asian color commentator—the program represents a homecoming mission to give back to emerging athletic communities.

• Structured Event Schedule: The festival itinerary features an open "Try Hockey Activation" on August 1 at Nexus Elante Chandigarh, followed by a dedicated Coaches Summit and Roller Hockey Clinic on August 2 at the Sector 10 Rink in partnership with the IHAI.

Strategic Global Partnerships and Regional Impact

The launch of the India Hockey 360 Festival underscores a growing institutional focus on globalizing ice hockey beyond its traditional northern hemispheres. By aligning North American franchise infrastructure with domestic Indian sports bodies, the initiative provides local youth athletes and regional coaches with direct access to professional training frameworks, equipment innovations from Bauer Hockey, and tactical methodologies. Sports marketing analysts note that such cross-continental collaborations are vital for laying the foundational groundwork necessary to foster competitive winter sports talent in non-traditional markets across South Asia.

Why It Matters

For aspiring athletes and coaches in India, access to professional North American coaching methodologies opens new pathways in winter sports development. For global sports investors and leagues, cultivating grassroots engagement in emerging markets broadens the international footprint of ice hockey.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026.

• Location: Chandigarh, India (Venues include Nexus Elante and Sector 10 Rink).

• Key Leaders: Randip Janda (NHL broadcaster) and Harry Mahesh (Abbotsford Canucks Assistant Coach).

• Supporting Partners: National Hockey League (NHL), Vancouver Canucks, Bauer Hockey, and Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the India Hockey 360 Festival?

It is an inaugural grassroots hockey initiative bringing NHL expertise, player development clinics, and coaching education to Chandigarh, India.

Who are the primary leaders driving the festival?

The event is co-organized by NHL broadcaster Randip Janda and Tulsea Sports Marketing, with coaching sessions led by Abbotsford Canucks Assistant Coach Harry Mahesh.

Which organizations are supporting the initiative?

Key supporters include the National Hockey League (NHL), the Vancouver Canucks, Bauer Hockey, and the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI).

Source: PR Newswire, National Hockey League (NHL), Ice Hockey Association of India