As announced on September 11, 2023, Fiesta de Hockey will make its return in 2024 with two weekends!
Fiesta de Hockey is a celebration of all things PRIHA. It is an opportunity for PRIHA to invite all of its nearly 400 athlete-members residing across 29 US states, D.C., and Puerto Rico in one location to continue to build community around the shared love for Puerto Rico and Hockey. It is an opportunity to develop and compete on and off the ice. It is an opportunity to represent Puerto Rico in the sport. It is an opportunity to celebrate the growth of hockey. It is also an opportunity to engage with a strong local Puerto Rican diaspora community and continue to raise awareness for the sport and PRIHA. The 2024 Fiesta de Hockey season will be capped and celebrated with the organization marching in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
The event series will grow in size from its inaugural launch last year and the format will feature four different PRIHA groups:
Puerto Rico National Programs (Mens, Womens, U20)
Competing in an elite level 9 to 12 game schedule
Puerto Rico Youth Development Program (U18, U16, U14, U12, U10 - age groups to be adjusted as needed after registration)
10 ice session and 6 game guarantee across 2 weekends
Puerto Rico Adult Development Program
10 ice session and 6 game guarantee across 2 weekends
Grassroots Program
10 ice session guarantee across 2 weekends (Clinics/Practices focused on athlete development for beginner/novice levels)
During the two events there will be Clinics, Practices, Games, Public Skates, Team building, break-out sessions and more. In addition to this we will be inviting both Junior and College coaches to participate virtually and/or in-person this year to continue to shine a light on our young athletes. Each program listed above will have a different itinerary.
Athlete-Members will be placed in the appropriate group upon registration. PRIHA will maintain its perpetual evaluation process and athlete-members will be evaluated at each event they attend. Athlete-Members will be moved appropriately through the program based on their evaluation. Last year, there were numerous call-ups for athlete-members to higher teams including national teams. Newly named Head of Hockey Operations, Frank Keane, said, “At my age and skill set, I am and ADP player and love bonding with that group. I think many will find that the ADP Men and Women have the best time at our events while also pushing each other towards excellence.
However, I have also been very fortunate to get two call ups to the Men's National Team which I take as the highest honor within PRIHA. In each call up, I've embraced any role given to me by Paul Cohen and Lee Elias. Our format is intended to evaluate constantly and reward those climbing the depth charts through their hard work."
The events will also be used to gauge engagement on the development programs. If there is engagement for the Development Programs’ 6-game Fiesta de Hockey season PRIHA will continue to look into attendance at future competitive tournaments to give athletes currently outside of the National Program additional opportunities to represent Puerto Rico.
The dates and information for each event are as follows:
Weekend 1: Chicago, Illinois (in partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation)
On-Ice dates: April 18 - 21
Arrival: Wednesday, April 17
Suggested Airports: ORD or MDW
Departure: Sunday, April 21, After 5:00pm CST
Facility: Fifth Third Arena
Registration cost per Player: $275
Registration Link: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/416720
Hotel Rate: $163 per night
Limited availability
2-bed rooms available
Walking distance to the arena
Gear stored at the arena
Hotel Booking Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIZT/G-DPRS
CC info will be taken but you will NOT be charged at the counter during check-in
Book now - limited availability!
Hotel Block ends February 29. 2024
Weekend 2: New York City, New York
On-Ice dates: June 6 - 9
Arrival: Wednesday, June 5
Suggested Airports: LGA, JFK or ISP
Departure: Sunday, June 9, After 6:00pm EST
Facility: TBA in February
Registration cost per Player: $275
Registration Link: TBA
Hotel Rate: TBA in February
Hotel Booking Link: TBA
To stay up to date, visit www.puertoricoicehockey.com and follow PRIHA on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
For all media inquiries, contact info@puertoricoicehockey.com.