A multicultural hockey celebration
The 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup will bring together 68 teams and roughly 1,500 players representing 16 countries for a nine‑day competition that runs from August 1 through August 9. The event is being staged at two facilities in Florida – the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs and the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Wellington – both of which will host games, practices and the accompanying cultural programming.
For the first time, the tournament will feature a sled hockey showcase, highlighting the sport’s growing reach beyond traditional rink play. Two squads composed of athletes of Filipino heritage will make their LATAM Cup debut, adding to the diversity of participants.
Coaching the Cuban‑American team is Al Montoya, the pioneering Cuban‑American who broke into the NHL and later played for several franchises including the Florida Panthers. Montoya will be joined on the bench by his son Henry, turning the coaching role into a family affair that underscores the tournament’s cultural focus.
Supporting the sled hockey initiative are veteran coaches Brett Bolton, Greg Shaw and Madeleine Gallagher, who bring extensive experience from both playing and developmental levels. Their involvement reflects a broader commitment to expanding opportunities for under‑represented players.
The competition is backed by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association through the Industry Growth Fund, a partnership that aims to foster grassroots hockey development across the Americas. Additional collaborators include the Florida Panthers, the Dallas Stars and other NHL affiliates.
Beyond the on‑ice action, the event seeks to celebrate cultural heritage while promoting inclusivity. Organizers have emphasized that the tournament will feature community outreach, youth clinics and cultural exhibitions that connect the sport with the vibrant multicultural fabric of South Florida.
Among the many individuals slated to attend or contribute are Jonathan de Castro, who will guide the U12 and U16 Fil‑Nation squads, as well as Rob Knesaurek, John Colombo and Juan Carlos Otero, who are expected to play various organizational roles.