Daiki Phipps (Yr 13)
Tuesday, 3rd March 2026 at 7:30am
Daiki Phipps is ready for action!
Playing for New Zealand in the U18 Ice Hockey Division 3 World Tournament, held in China, Daiki is all geared up and ready to go - pictured in his NZ uniform before the team's first game against Turkey.
Although the first game ended in a New Zealand loss to Turkey (10-2), Daiki had one assist in the first period.
In their second game, New Zealand played gold-medal contender Uzbekistan on Tuesday (3 March) with Uzbekistan winning 13 - 2 against New Zealand.
Yesterday (Thursday 5 March) New Zealand played Bulgaria. This was a close game; however, the win went to Bulgaria 5 - 3.
Tonight (Friday 6 March) the New Zealand team take on Israel - stand by for news as it comes in!
On a lighter note, all competing teams stay in the same hotel and eat together. The New Zealand coach has a strict 'no smartphone' rule during meals: if anyone is caught, they have to stand up and sing their country's national Anthem at the top of their voice. Two singers were 'on stage' on day 1. Let's hope Daiki continues practising our school's 'Away For A Day' phone policy ... and is not asked to 'sing for his supper'!
Game posts/photos, streaming links and other activities during the tournament, can be seen on the following link (the official Facebook social media page for the NZ U18 Men's team):
