Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association, abbreviated as PRIHA, is the governing body that oversees ice and inline hockey in Puerto Rico.
| Association name | Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association |
|---|---|
| IIHF Code | PUR |
| Founded | 2020 |
| IIHF membership | September 29, 2022 |
| President | Scott Vargas |
| IIHF men's ranking | NR |
| IIHF women's ranking | NR |
| puertoricoicehockey.com | |
History
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.[1] The organization is also part of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee.[2] 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.[3][4]
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.[5][6]
In February 18 of 2026, Arenales Summit in San Juan was opened as the first Inline hockey rink on the island. A new 4 team inline hockey league was formed, Boricua Liga. The league started with a Senior and Junior divisions.
NHL players of Puerto Rican descent
The only 2 notable players of Puerto Rican descent in the United States to have played in the NHL:
Boo Nieves, played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 76 games in four seasons with the New York Rangers. (2016-2020)
Nick Paul, played 227 games with the Ottawa Senators and 259 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (2015-present)
Nieves and Paul are the only players of Puerto Rican descent to ever play in the NHL.
Ice hockey statistics
- 406 players total
- 164 male players
- 157 junior players
- 85 female players
- 6 referees
- Currently no IIHF standard rinks
- Currently not ranked in the IIHF World Ranking[7]
National teams
Participation by year
- 2022
Puerto Rico was not a member of the IIHF and was not eligible to enter in any IIHF tournaments.
| Event | Host nation | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (Men's Division I) |
 United States |
September 14–18, 2022 |  1st place |
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (U20) |
1st place | ||
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (Women's) |
4th place |
- 2023
- Did Not Enter
- 2024
| Event | Host nation | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (Men's Division I) |
United States |
August 21–25, 2024 | 5th place |
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (U20) |
|||
| Amerigol LATAM Cup (Women's) |
- 2025
| Event | Host nation | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amerigol LATAM Spring Classic (Men's) |
United States |
March 19–22, 2025 | 1st place |
| Amerigol LATAM Spring Classic (Women's) |
 2nd place | ||
| IIHF Development Cup (Men's) |
 Andorra |
April 22–26, 2025 | 1st place |
| Dream Nations Cup (Men's) |
United States |
May 28–June 1, 2025 | 5th Place |
| Dream Nations Cup (Women's) |
4th Place | ||
| Challenger Series (Men's) |
 Canada |
July 10-15, 2025 | 4th Place |
- 2026
| Event | Host nation | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger Series (Men's) |
United States |
May 7-10, 2026 | |
| Challenger Series (Women's) |
|||
Competitions
PRIHA organises Liga Boricua, the first inline hockey league on the island.
Teams
- Club de Hockey Coqui
- Club de Hockey Fortaleza
- Club de Hockey Gallito
- Club de Hockey Vejigante
Current title holders
| Competition | Year | Champions | Title | Runners-up | Next edition | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Senior Division | |||||||||
| Liga Boricua (inline) | 2026 |  C.H. Veijigantes |
1st | C.H Gallitos |
2027 | ||||
| Boy's Junior Division | |||||||||
| Liga Boricua (inline) | 2026 | C.H. Coquis |
1st | C.H Veijigantes |
2027 | ||||