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PRIHA HEADED TO SOUTH FLORIDA WITH NUMBERS

Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association Reaches New Milestone Ahead of 2025 LATAM Cup


San Juan, Puerto Rico – July 2025 — The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association (PRIHA) is poised to make history this August, announcing the participation of eight teams at the 2025 LATAM Cup. Representing Puerto Rico in every division including Men’s Divisions I, II, and III, as well as Women’s Divisions I and II and youth divisions U16, U14, and U12, this marks the largest delegation Puerto Rico, or any other nation, has ever fielded for an international hockey tournament.


The LATAM Cup—hosted at the Florida Panthers IceDen and Palm Beach Skatezone in Coral Springs, Florida—has become a platform for emerging hockey nations across Latin America and the Caribbean. PRIHA’s expanded participation underscores the rapid evolution of Puerto Rico’s hockey program and its growing reputation on the international stage.


Over the past 12 months, Puerto Rico’s national teams have reached several major milestones:

  • In November 2024, the women’s national team secured silver in its first official IIHF Women’s 3x3 tournament in Brazil.

  • In March 2025, Puerto Rico’s men’s and women’s squads claimed gold and silver at the LATAM Spring Classic in Las Vegas.

  • The Men’s national team earned its first victory in an IIHF event, a benchmark moment in the program’s development.

  • Been featured on NHL.com, ESPN, and other major platforms


“This moment is the result of years of grassroots work and the unwavering commitment of our players, coaches, and families,” said Scott Vargas, President of PRIHA and captain of the Men’s Division I team. “We are building a sustainable program that’s not only growing the game at home but also uniting Puerto Ricans around the world through hockey. This year’s LATAM Cup presence is a major milestone—and one of many to come.”


The LATAM Cup, backed by the NHL and the Florida Panthers, draws more than 50 teams from developing hockey nations, providing a competitive pathway toward future IIHF recognition.


For PRIHA, the tournament represents both a proving ground and a stepping stone. With each event, the association continues to build a case for full international inclusion while expanding access to hockey across Puerto Rico and among its diaspora communities.


“We take a lot of pride in putting on the jersey,” Vargas added. “Every tournament is a chance to represent our heritage, our teammates, and the entire hockey community in Puerto Rico. We’ve grown so much in a short time—and we’re just getting started.”

Additional quotes from players and coaches will be made available ahead of the tournament.


ABOUT PRIHA The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association (PRIHA) is the official governing body for ice and inline hockey in Puerto Rico. PRIHA oversees national teams across men’s, women’s, and youth divisions, and is committed to expanding access to the sport from grassroots to international competition.


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