My Journey

Tsering Galpo (LEH) – The Rising Hero of Indian Ice Hockey

Hello everyone, this is Tsering Galpo, and I have been working with SpiceJet at Leh for the past four years. I would like to share a little about myself.

I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life. There are many things I like to do, see, and experience, but most importantly, I love playing ice hockey and seeing snow in winter.

When I first laced up my skates and stepped onto the ice to play ice hockey, I had no idea how much the sport would shape my life. What started as a fun hobby quickly became a true passion, profoundly impacting who I am as both a team player and a person.

As anyone who has played ice hockey can attest, it is an inherently team-oriented sport. From the moment I joined my first hockey team, I had to learn how to work closely with my teammates to achieve our common goals. This meant communicating effectively, reading each other’s cues, and making split-second decisions to support one another on the ice.

Honing skills like coordination, anticipation, and adaptability has been crucial, as hockey requires constant collaboration and a willingness to assume different roles for the good of the team. I have learned that no one player can “win” a hockey game alone – success depends on everyone playing their part.

It has been almost ten years now that I have been playing ice hockey in Leh. We have the oldest ice-skating coaching camp in Leh, namely the Ladakh Winter Sports Club, where thousands of students come from different regions of Ladakh to learn ice-skating. I, too, grew up enhancing my skating skills at this coaching camp.

These teamwork lessons have proven invaluable, both on the rink and in my everyday life. I now apply the same principles of cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility in my work and relationships. Ice hockey has taught me that the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. I have always been inspired by the efforts of great players who have influenced millions of people. I aspire to be a great ice hockey player like my idol, the Canadian ice hockey star, Connor McDavid. I am proud to say that I am a national ice hockey player, and I also teach and coach ice-skating in different villages of Ladakh. My dream is to one day play in the NHL (National Hockey League).

Hockey is an inherently physical sport that demands tremendous mental toughness. I have had to push through injuries, exhaustion, and immense pressure to perform at my best. There have been many times when I wanted to give up, but I have learned to dig deep, overcome obstacles, and persevere.

I have learned to approach every aspect of my life with that same level of focused determination. Whether it is sticking to a study schedule, working toward a career goal, or simply maintaining a healthy daily routine, the discipline I have developed through hockey has been invaluable.

This focus has also made me a more present and attentive person. I have learned to block out distractions and hone in on the task, a skill that serves me well in both team settings and individual pursuits.

Ice hockey has become so much more than just a sport to me. It has shaped my character, bolstered my resilience, and instilled in me a profound appreciation for teamwork. The lessons I have learned on the ice have become an integral part of who I am as an individual.

As I continue on my hockey journey, I know that the sport will continue to challenge me, inspire me, and transform me in ways I can’t even imagine and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I would also like to take the opportunity to appreciate and express my gratitude to my team members and leaders of SpiceJet team at Leh. They have been very supportive and understood my passion for this sport, also have encouraged me to focus on my goal.

This is a brief introduction of myself. If you are interested in knowing more get in touch with my insta page i.e @itsmegyalpo, Thank You !