Ice hockey team working to regain Challenger trophy

The dates and schedules have now been drawn up for the 2026 running of the Challenger Series Ice Hockey tournament in the United States and Canada this year.

Jamaica won the inaugural competition in 2024, beating the likes of Puerto Rico and Lebanon, continuing the winning streak which started with the success in the LATAM cup in Fort Lauderdale in 2019.

In that tournament, Jamaica went undefeated against Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia, the defending champions.

Jamaica were denied the opportunity to defend the LATAM trophy in 2021 because the country was considered to be “too strong for the opposition”. Playing as an exhibition team, they went on to beat all opponents scoring 58 goals and conceding seven from six matches.

Having won the coveted Challenger trophy in 2024, the team suffered their first losses in 2025 in Chicago and Montreal.

This year’s tournament is scheduled to be held across two venues, in Chicago from May 8-12, with the second leg being played in Montreal from July 6-10.

There will be six competing teams, with Cuba and India adding to the four of Greece, the 2025 defending champions, Puerto Rico, Lebanon, and Jamaica.

Jamaica are determined to regain the trophy this year and have embarked on a strong recruitment drive in Canada, mainly to add key players. This effort has so far been very successful as a number of new faces have been added to key positions.

Jamaica will be sending a team of 20 players and five officials to these matches. Final discussions are under way to name a coach for the team. Last year, the team had the benefit of Germany-based coach, Nathan Robinson.

There is also the possibility of a female team from Jamaica at the Challenger series, according to President of the Ice Hockey Federation, Dr Don Anderson.

“Yes, discussions are under way with a group of female players of Jamaican descent, who currently play in the Black Girls Hockey League in Toronto. They are very keen and discussions are continuing.”

Jamaica are also looking to play in the International Ice Hockey Federation-recognised Development Cup later in the year as plans are currently being finalised for the team’s participation.

“We are also building the local component of the team, as we have the nucleus of 50 kids from the ages of eight to 12, who attended a weeklong camp in 2022 fully supported by the Ministry of Sport and who are learning their craft in roller hockey and inline hockey before transitioning to ice.”