From Setback to Silver: Brandon Lam ’26 Represents Hong Kong on the World Stage

For Grade 12 student Brandon Lam ‘26, stepping onto the ice this March meant more than just competition, it was the realization of a goal he had worked toward with determination and resilience for a long time.

From March 2–8, 2026, Brandon represented Hong Kong at the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division III, Group A, hosted in Hong Kong. The team delivered an impressive performance, scoring 33 goals across five games and securing a silver medal finish.

For Brandon, the experience was both surreal and deeply meaningful.

“Throughout the tournament, I would sometimes find myself in disbelief at being able to represent Hong Kong,” he shared. “I had not been selected in the last year I applied through video, and had been previously shunned as a player who wasn’t ‘good’ or ‘talented’.”

That perspective made the support he felt during the tournament even more powerful.

“Seeing all the fans and spectators—including my family and friends—come out to support us gave me this sense of bliss and warmth that really carried me throughout the tournament and helped me feel grounded with my position on the team. I think that this allowed me to solely focus on contributing to winning.”

The tournament was filled with memorable moments, including one that still stands out to Brandon—not for a goal, but for an unexpected outcome.

“A standout moment that I remember very vividly was when I hit a one-timer from the blue line thinking that it was going to be a goal. Instead, it shattered an opponent’s stick,” he said. “The reaction from the crowd and my teammates said it all, it’s a moment that stands out for me now.”

Hong Kong’s offensive success was a defining feature of their tournament run, and Brandon credits the team’s structure and chemistry.

“I think the main reason for our team’s offensive success was the systems we had drilled into us by Coach Mike and Rob,” he explained. “They really stressed the importance of these drills, combined with other factors like flow and timing, which set the stage for consistently organised offensive and defensive play.”

Just as important was the team dynamic.

“Team dynamics really revolved around having fun and being creative with how we executed things. During our practices and warmups we were usually chatty with one another, which I think contributed to a sense of trust,which also helped us in games.”

While a silver medal is a remarkable achievement, Brandon is already looking ahead.

“Winning silver is impressive; however, it has certainly left me hungry for first place,” he said. “This has shaped me to be in pursuit of constantly improving myself so I can contribute more to Team Hong Kong as I move up into the U20 age bracket next year.”

Returning to campus, Brandon carries not just a medal, but a story of perseverance and self-belief.

Brandon is proud of the fact that he was able to achieve  this level of accomplishment through hard work. “I hope this experience reflects my skills and work ethic, and allows people to see me in a new light.”

Brandon’s journey is a powerful reminder that growth often comes through challenge,and that belief in yourself, paired with hard work, can open doors to extraordinary opportunities.