New Tim Hortons Campaign Takes to the Ice

The team, called the Kenya Ice Lions, has no opposition to play against in the whole country but every Wednesday and Sunday the team takes to the first-ever ice rink in East and Central Africa - a 1,400-square-metre rink at the Panari Sky Center Hotel in Nairobi - to play the game they love. 

Tim Hortons heard the story about the Kenya Ice Lions and decided to share their love of the game by bringing the Kenya Ice Lions to the birthplace of hockey.

“In Canada - and as a company - Hockey is part of our DNA,” said Jorge Zaidan, head of marketing at Tim Hortons Canada. “We are so inspired by the story of the Lions. Despite having no other teams to play against, the players on the Kenya Ice Lions’ passion for the game is unwavering. Their shared passion and love of the game knows no borders.”

Moved by their love for Canada’s favourite sport, Tim Hortons flew 12 members of the senior Ice Lions team to Canada to have the opportunity to finally play their first game ever against another team. After dressing in brand new hockey equipment and personalised jerseys, they discovered they were in for an even bigger surprise as hockey superstars Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon joined them on the ice as teammates. 

“It is a dream to not only have the chance to play in Canada, but to play – for the first time – in full gear alongside two of the greatest players of the game,” said Benard Azegere, captain of the Kenya Ice Lions. “When we first started playing in Kenya, we didn’t even have full equipment, but now not only do we have that, we can say we’ve played a real game with some All-Star teammates.”

Tim Hortons made a donation to Kenya’s Youth Hockey League to help ensure that the Ice Lions’ passion for the sport lives on for the next generation. If you want see the full video of the Kenya Ice Lions hockey game with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon you can click here.