Month: July 2026

Global Passion Meets South Florida Ice: 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup Returns to Coral Springs

July 31, 2026 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

When hockey fans think of the sport’s biggest stages, cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Boston often come to mind. But for nine days this summer, the spotlight shifts to South Florida, where one of the world’s most unique international hockey tournaments takes center stage.

The 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup officially returns to the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs from August 1–9, bringing together players from around the globe for the tournament’s eighth edition. What began as a celebration of Latin American hockey has evolved into one of the premier international showcases for players from emerging and non-traditional hockey nations.

LATAM Cup Kicks Off in Coral Springs

Record-Breaking Growth

This year’s tournament is the largest in Amerigol LATAM Cup history, featuring approximately 1,500 players competing on 68 teams throughout the week.

While countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and several Caribbean nations remain the foundation of the tournament, the event’s reach now extends far beyond Latin America. Teams representing Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippines, and First Nations communities will also compete, highlighting hockey’s expanding global footprint.

“Welcoming 68 teams and approximately 1,500 players from around the world demonstrates how much the tournament and the game of hockey continue to grow within non-traditional hockey communities,” said Juan Carlos Otero, Founder and President of the Amerigol International Hockey Association.

Two Tournament Phases

With record participation, organizers have divided the competition into two action-packed segments.

Tier One (August 1–4) features the Men’s Senior (35+) Division, Women’s Division II, and youth divisions including U16 Select, U14 Select, and U12 Select.

Tier Two (August 5–9) showcases the Men’s Division I and II championships, Women’s Division I, and the U12 Legacy Division.

The expanded schedule also introduces several exciting additions for 2026, including a Skills Competition, a sled hockey showcase, and the inaugural LATAM Cup International All-Star Games, set for Wednesday, August 5.

Growing the Game Together

The Amerigol LATAM Cup continues to thrive thanks to strong support from the Florida Panthers, the National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) through the Industry Growth Fund. This year, the Florida Panthers Foundation also contributed $20,000 to help expand community outreach and promote greater accessibility and inclusion throughout the event.

“For the eighth consecutive year, we’re proud to host the Amerigol LATAM Cup at Panthers IceDen,” said John Colombo, Vice President of the Florida Panthers Foundation & Community Relations. “This tournament is a true celebration of culture and the continued growth of hockey across Latin America, Caribbean communities, and beyond.”

Fans Welcome

All tournament games are free and open to the public at both the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs and Palm Beach Skate Zone, giving local fans the opportunity to experience international competition up close.

For supporters unable to attend in person, every game will be streamed live, allowing fans across Latin America, the Caribbean, and participating nations around the world to follow their teams throughout the tournament.

As the puck drops on another historic edition of the Amerigol LATAM Cup, one thing is clear: hockey’s future is becoming increasingly global. From South Florida to countries where the sport continues to grow, the tournament serves as a powerful reminder that passion for hockey knows no borders.

Challenger Series 2026: International Hockey Continues to Grow in Chicago and Montreal

July 15, 2026 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

The 2026 Challenger Series once again demonstrated that international ice hockey is thriving well beyond the sport’s traditional powerhouses. Held over two tournament weekends—May 7–10 in Chicago, Illinois, and July 9–12 in Montreal, Quebec—the series brought together heritage and developing national teams in an exciting showcase of skill, pride, and international competition. The men’s competition featured Greece Heritage Team, Jamaica, Lebanon, and Puerto Rico, while the women’s division expanded with the addition of the Greek Heritage Team, joining Lebanon, Puerto Rico, APNA, and host team Chicago.

Unlike a single-elimination tournament, the Challenger Series rewarded consistency across both events. Teams accumulated points throughout the series before concluding their campaigns in Montreal, where every game carried championship implications.

The 2026 Challenger Series showcased that the love for hockey truly transcends boundaries.

Chicago Sets the Stage

The opening weekend at Fifth Third Arena delivered everything expected from an international tournament: fast-paced action, physical play, and several high-scoring contests. The men’s division featured a full round-robin schedule among the four participating nations, while the women’s division expanded from previous years, reflecting the rapid growth of women’s international heritage hockey.

The quality of play immediately demonstrated how much these programs have developed. Many athletes brought experience from professional, collegiate, junior, and European leagues, creating a level of competition that exceeded expectations and highlighted the growing depth of talent representing emerging hockey nations.

Montreal Crowns the Champions

The series concluded in Montreal, one of hockey’s most historic cities, providing a fitting stage for the championship weekend. With points carrying over from Chicago, every matchup had a direct impact on the final standings.

After two outstanding tournaments, the Greek Heritage Team emerged as champions in both the men’s and women’s divisions, showcasing balanced offensive production, disciplined defensive play, and remarkable consistency throughout the series.

Men’s Division

The men’s tournament featured four competitive national programs battling through six games each over the course of the series.

The Greek Heritage Team finished atop the standings with a 5-1 record, collecting 15 points while leading the tournament with 45 goals scored. Their balanced attack and timely defensive performances earned them the Challenger Series championship.

Jamaica produced another strong international showing, finishing second with 9 points after an even 3-3 record. The final match featured the two leading teams, with The Greek Heritage Team emerging victorious over Jamaica with a score of 10-6, thereby securing the championship title.

Final Men’s Standings

Teams	W	L	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS
Greek Heritage Team	5	1	0	0	45	32	15
Jamaica	3	3	0	0	30	30	9
Puerto Rico	2	3	0	1	25	31	7
Lebanon	1	4	1	0	31	38	5

Women’s Division

The women’s competition continued its impressive growth, welcoming additional teams and providing more opportunities for athletes to compete internationally.

The Greek Heritage Team mirrored the men’s success by finishing first with a 5-1 record and 15 points. Greece combined a dynamic offense with outstanding defensive play, allowing only 18 goals while scoring 32.

Lebanon finished second after collecting 9 points and securing a place in the final. The championship game showcased the top two teams, and The Greek Heritage Team came out on top, defeating Lebanon with a score of 9-3 to claim the title.

Final Women’s Standings

Teams	W	L	OTW	OTL	GF	GA	PTS
Greek HT	5	1	0	0	32	18	15
Lebanon	2	2	1	1	20	25	9
Chicago	2	0	0	1	13	5	7
APNA	1	1	1	0	13	13	5
Puerto Rico	0	6	0	0	15	24	0

The Challenger Series has quickly become much more than a hockey tournament. It provides meaningful international competition for players representing their heritage, strengthens relationships between developing hockey nations, and creates opportunities for athletes who may not otherwise have the chance to compete on the international stage.

With every season, the event continues to grow in both participation and quality. The expansion of the women’s division, the increasing competitiveness of every game, and the continued commitment of participating federations demonstrate that heritage hockey has become an important part of the international hockey landscape.

Looking Ahead

As another successful Challenger Series comes to a close, anticipation is already building for next season. New teams are expected to join the competition and the level of play continues to rise each year.

The 2026 Challenger Series proved once again that the passion for hockey knows no borders. From Chicago to Montreal, players proudly represented their countries and heritage, creating memorable moments and further advancing the growth of international ice hockey.

Swiss Hockey Enters New Era with Berra’s Retirement and Miller’s Appointment

July 11, 2026 / NationalTeamsOfIceHockey

Swiss Ice Hockey is ushering in a new chapter for its national programs, as longtime goaltender Reto Berra has retired from international competition while the women’s national team welcomes a new head coach.

A new chapter for Swiss hockey: Celebrating Reto Berra’s legendary 15-year career while welcoming Shannon Miller as the new head coach of the women’s national team.

Berra Calls Time on International Career

After more than a decade representing Switzerland on the international stage, veteran netminder Reto Berra has announced his retirement from the national team following the 2026 IIHF World Championship.

The 39-year-old described the tournament as the “perfect ending” to his international career, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable run that included three Olympic Winter Games and 12 IIHF World Championships.

Since making his debut during the 2010-11 season, Berra appeared in 15 major international tournaments and played a key role in helping Switzerland earn four World Championship silver medals. He said the decision was motivated by the physical demands of the game and his desire to create opportunities for the next generation of Swiss goaltenders.

Miller to Lead Swiss Women’s Program

Meanwhile, Swiss Ice Hockey has named Canadian coach Shannon Miller as the new head coach of the women’s national team.

Miller has signed a contract through the summer of 2029 and will officially begin her tenure on August 1. One of the most accomplished coaches in women’s hockey, she is best known for leading the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 1999 to 2015, building one of the sport’s premier collegiate programs.

Melanie Häfliger, Head of Women’s Hockey at Swiss Ice Hockey, praised Miller’s appointment, highlighting her international experience, championship pedigree, and proven ability to develop successful teams over the long term.

With one respected veteran stepping away and an accomplished coach taking over behind the bench, Swiss hockey begins a new chapter focused on building for the future.