Pasan Desapercibidos

When you think of Spain, sun and soccer are what usually come to mind. We captured a regular season game between Jaca and Txuri Urdin, one of only five teams left in Spain’s top professional league.

Words by Chas Wagner
Photography by Eduardo Agreda Espatolero

This article is featured in Issue 2 of Crease Periodical.

Spain NHL hockey game between Jaca and Txuri Urdin, featuring players in action on the ice.
NHL player watching from the bench during a Spain NHL hockey game between Jaca and Txuri Urdin.
Ice hockey is just a blip on the small radar that winter sports have in the country. Those who do support it are, by all accounts, just as rabid as any fan in a “traditional” market.
Spain NHL hockey game between Jaca and Txuri Urdin, featuring players in action on the ice.
Unlike some soccer/football players, these Spaniards can actually take a hit...

Professional NHL goalie for Spain's team Jaca, looking over his shoulder with his goalie mask on.

Professional NHL goalie for Spain's team Jaca, sitting on the locker room bench and removing his maskCamp Nom (Europe’s largest soccer stadium) has a maximum capacity of 99,354, whereas Palau de Gel (pictured) seats a paltry 1,256. Even crazier, the 2018-2019 champion of Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo, Txuri Urdin’s stadium, can only hold 650 people.

Hockey lineup photo of NHL players from Spain's team Txuri Urdin, with their skates and sticks visible.

Photo of the coach from Spain's NHL team Txuri Urdin, viewed from behind, wearing a jacket with 'Club Hockey Hielo' on it.Txuri Urdin now has 20 championships and counting.
Professional NHL goalie for Spain's team Txuri Urdin, sitting on the bench and waiting to play.Many players work or study full-time and find time for other alternative sports, such as skiing, snowboarding and skateboarding due to Superliga’s brief two-month long season.
Spain NHL hockey game between Jaca and Txuri Urdin, showing players from Txuri Urdin in action on the ice.Although it seems like most  of these player’s will always play their games off to the side, the league has managed to stick around in one way or another since 1972. With hockey’s overall global growth, along with the relative success of the Spanish athlete in general (7 Gold Medals in the 2016 Olympics), maybe we’ll see more of these players in the near-future. 

Featured in Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
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Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
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Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
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Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
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Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
Sold out
Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
Sold out
Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
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Crease Periodical Issue 2

Crease Periodical Issue 2
$20.00
$20.00
Sold out

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