Yerevan 2025: Where IceSports Began

A look back at the first major project of the International Ice Sports Foundation — a week of hockey, family, hospitality and community in Armenia.

In August 2025, the International Ice Sports Foundation held its first International Ice Hockey Development Camp in Yerevan, Armenia. It became the project that set the direction for IceSports.

Armenia was a deliberate choice. Ice hockey is still growing there, and every hour on the ice matters. For many players, families and coaches, it was also a first visit to a country few of them knew.

For six days, young players trained under the guidance of an experienced coaching team: Paul Vincent, Brock Montgomery, Vadim Guskov and Vlada Guskova. On the ice, the focus was on skating technique, puck control, positioning and reading the play, the details that shape a player over years, not weeks. Away from the rink, Vlada Guskova led the off-ice conditioning sessions, while Vadim Guskov held theory sessions at the hotel on nutrition, sleep and the fundamentals of technique. At this age, learning how to train, recover and understand the game matters as much as the hours on the ice.

Around the training, the camp became more than a hockey camp. Families shared meals, travelled together and discovered Armenia, in an atmosphere where players, parents and coaches felt welcome and cared for.

For founder and chair Hasmik Sarkisian, this was the idea from the start.

"After years of travelling from rink to rink with my son, I wanted to create an ice hockey camp that did more. A place where players could train seriously, families could feel safe and welcome, and coaches could be part of the full experience, not only the training. In Armenia, the country of my roots, that became possible.”

— Hasmik Sarkisian, Founder and Chair, International Ice Sports Foundation

By the end of the week, several players asked whether the camp could last

another week. We could not have asked for a better response.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible, our coaching team, the players and their families, the rink director and staff, the hotel, transport and restaurant teams, our local hosts, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. This support came from Armenia, the Netherlands and beyond: financial backing and local organisation, water for participants and families, jersey and printing support, banners, meals and transport.

A special thank you to Advocatenkantoor SERVAAS, Edmon Transport, Yarra International B.V. and to everyone who worked behind the scenes with care and dedication.

More than a camp, Yerevan was a hockey experience with a family feeling and a meaningful start to everything IceSports continues to build.

This was only the beginning.

More photos and behind-the-scenes moments from Yerevan 2025 can be found on our Instagram page.