The India national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of India, and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Ice hockey in India has surprisingly deep roots. Areas like Shimla, Kashmir and Ladakh have traditionally cold climates. As early as 1985, the Indian Army and local youth started playing the game to occupy themselves in the winter. They used improvised field hockey sticks and converted shoe polish tins to act as pucks. Many ex-pats from the Canadian and Russian consulates in Mumbai and Delhi have been playing the game in Ladakh. Background of Ice Hockey in Ladakh