Puerto Rico
| Puerto Rico | |
 | |
| Continent | North America |
| Population | 3,285,874 |
| Registered players | 205 |
| Referees | 0 |
| Rinks | 1 |
| National teams | Men's, Women's, Junior |
| National federation | Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association |
| IIHF since | September 29, 2022 |
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. San Juan is the capital and largest city.
History of hockey in Puerto Rico
Ice and roller hockey had existed fleetingly in San Juan during the 1970s and 1990s. The Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena opened in Aguadilla on October 15, 2004. Hockey Puerto Rico, the national federation, was formed shortly before the arena's opening with Phillip Painter as its first vice president. Pickup hockey was soon played at the beachfront facility. The first Puerto Rican team, known as the Tainos - in honor of the indigenous Caribbean people - was formed in 2005. Hockey continued to take off, but incompetent management at the Aguadilla rink played a role in curtailing the development of the sport. Another facility opened in Isla Verde, featuring a two-thirds by one-half standard length/width ice surface. No hockey was played at the rink.[1] San Juan hosted an exhibition game between the NHL's Florida Panthers and New York Rangers at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico on September 23, 2006.[2][3]
The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association was founded in 2020, and was later accepted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on September 29, 2022 as an associate member. The organization is also part of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee. Puerto Rico became the first [territory of the United States and the sixth Latin American nation to join the IIHF. The current president of PRIHA is Scott Vargas.
There are currently no operational indoor ice rinks in Puerto Rico. The Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena, the only rink in the territory, has been permanently closed since 2017 due to damage caused by Hurricane Maria
The men's national team made its international debut at the 2019 Amerigol Latam Cup, playing in Division II. They beat Argentina B 11-2 and Colombia B 5-2 in round-robin play, and then defeated Brazil B 6-0 in the semifinals to advance to the final, where they fell 6-2 to the Falkland Islands.[4] They won the championship at the 2022 Amerigol Latam Cup.
The women's national team first entered the scene at the 2021 Amerigol Latam Cup, where they won the gold medal.
The junior national team played its first games at the 2022 Amerigol Latam Cup.
References
- ↑ [tt_news=1444&cHash=19b88abf7bc58196ce211adad6a2cb53 Will ice melt on Puerto Rico? - IIHF]
- ↑ Rangers - Panthers Boxscore and Recap
- ↑ Latin American hockey surviving against all odds
- ↑ Latam Cup Round-Up
