A Milestone for Inclusion
The 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup will run from August 1 to 9 across Coral Springs and Wellington, Florida, bringing together 68 teams and roughly 1,500 players representing 16 countries and territories.
This edition marks a historic moment as two squads composed of athletes of Filipino descent will make their LATAM Cup debut, while a sled hockey showcase will debut for the first time, adding a new dimension to the competition.
Guiding the U12 and U16 Fil‑Nation squads is former Philippines men’s national team coach Jonathan de Castro, who will be supported by mentors Brett Bolton, Greg Shaw and Madeleine Gallagher in the sled hockey effort.
Al Montoya, the first Cuban American to play in the NHL, will coach both his own son and a U12 Cuban American team, describing the experience as a personal homecoming after a career that spanned the Coyotes, Islanders, Jets, Panthers, Canadiens and Oilers.
The tournament is backed by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association through their Industry Growth Fund, a partnership that also involves the Florida Panthers and the Dallas Stars, all aiming to broaden hockey’s reach and celebrate cultural diversity.
Beyond the games, organizers say the event seeks to bring people together, honor cultural heritage and create pathways for new talent, a vision echoed by community leaders such as Rob Knesaurek, John Colombo and Juan Carlos Otero.