A New Era for Hockey in the Caribbean
The inaugural NHL STREET tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marked the first event of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America, drawing more than 75 participants eager to experience street hockey in a vibrant, neighborhood setting.
Among the participants was Anthony Falcon, a 36‑year‑old lifelong hockey fan who attended his first street hockey session wearing a Chicago Blackhawks cap and a Tampa Bay Lightning NHL STREET shirt. Falcon described the experience as inspiring, noting how the low‑cost, accessible format opened the sport to newcomers who might never have stepped onto a rink.
The tournament was organized by the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association, or PRIHA, which transformed a bicycle‑polo rink into temporary NHL STREET rinks to host the competition. PRIHA also opened a dedicated dek/inline hockey facility earlier this year, encouraging locals to sign up for an inline hockey league that aims to broaden participation across age groups.
Beyond the immediate event, PRIHA has outlined an ambitious long‑term vision that includes constructing a permanent ice skating rink. The organization hopes the facility will eventually enable Puerto Rico to compete in International Ice Hockey Federation world championships and, ultimately, the Winter Olympics.
Puerto Rico’s commitment to hockey is underscored by its status as an IIHF associate member since September 29, 2022, a milestone that paves the way for greater international competition. The NHL STREET program, designed for children ages 6 to 16, offers affordable, neighborhood‑based hockey opportunities and now operates in over 100 leagues across the United States and Canada, supported by partnerships with RCX Sports.
The San Juan tournament received backing from the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association through the Industry Growth Fund, a initiative created in 2013 to develop youth hockey programs worldwide. The event formed part of PRIHA’s Fiesta de Hockey, a three‑day celebration aimed at expanding hockey fandom and participation across the island.