Argentina

Argentina is a nation of about 40,000,000 people in South America. Its capital is Buenos Aires.

		Argentina
		Info		Rinks		Players		Referees
		Population	39,537 943	Indoor	N/A	Total	N/A	Male	N/A
		Capital	Buenos Aires	Outdoor	N/A	Male	N/A	Female	N/A
		IIHF Since	May 31, 1998			Junior	N/A
		Per Capita				Female	N/A

The countrys first ice rink was built in Buenos Aires in 1907. A second was built in 1911. In the 1970's, ice hockey was played around the Pampas mountains. In 1981 the first indoor rink opened in the capital of Buenos Aires and recreational hockey was played there. Although around 30 ice rinks of various sizes opened across the country,no hockey activities started. In 1998 Argentina became an IIHF member. There is a yearly ice hockey tournament held in Ushuaia, where kids play games against each other. The first Argentinian native to play ice hockey at top level was Miguel Delesalle. He represented the French national team in the 1930’s and played in the 1935 World Championships. Delesalle had a long playing career in Paris and also played a few games for the first ever Spanish team in the 1920’s. A goalie by the name of John Wrigley who was born in Buenos Aires was signed by NHL's Los Angeles Kings in the late 1960's where he spent some time in their minor league system.

National Team

Argentina men's national ice hockey team

See Also

• Mexican and Latin American hockey portal