Nordic Vikings Madrid

The Nordic Vikings Madrid are a Swedish students’ ice hockey team that competes in Spain’s top men’s league, the Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo (LNHH). This initiative was a result of an agreement between the Royal Spanish Ice Hockey Federation (RFEDH) and the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. The team’s formation aimed to support the development of ice hockey in Spain, with players studying in Spain during the season while playing for the Nordic Vikings. They are based at the Dreams Arena in Majadahonda, in the Madrid region.

The Nordic Vikings Madrid have an interesting background. Before their move to Spain, they were involved in a similar project based in Beijing, China, where they competed in the Asia League in the 2005/2006 season and finished fifth out of nine teams. In the LNHH, the team has been an active participant, though they were not eligible to compete in the playoffs and for the Copa de SM el Rey due to league regulations allowing only three foreign players per team.

The Nordic Vikings Madrid is part of a broader vision to improve the quality and popularity of ice hockey in Spain, paralleling their previous experience in China. The agreement between the Spanish and Swedish hockey associations includes potential player exchanges and training camps, not only in men’s hockey but also in women’s hockey.

In terms of performance, during the 2021-2022 season, the Nordic Vikings Madrid competed well in the LNHH, finishing fifth in the final rankings. The team consists of players primarily from Sweden, complemented by players from other nationalities. The team’s composition reflects a blend of youth and experience, with an average age of around 24 years and an average height of 5’10”.

Overall, the Nordic Vikings Madrid represent a unique blend of sports and cultural exchange, contributing to the development of ice hockey in Spain while providing valuable experience to Swedish student athletes.