Puerto Rico’s national women’s hockey program recently completed an intense training camp in Aston, Pennsylvania, on June 10-11, marking a significant step forward as the team aims for greater recognition on the international stage. This ambitious effort highlights the rising expectations surrounding the program and its commitment to excellence.
Training Camp Highlights and Future Goals
More than 30 players participated in this rigorous training camp at IceWorks, including NCAA athletes, college club players, and elite Under-19 and Under-16 prospects, alongside younger youth players. Under the guidance of Coach Lee M.J. Elias, the camp focused on demanding on-ice sessions and thorough exit interviews. Coach Elias noted a notable commitment from the players, who expressed their intention to arrive in better physical condition for future camps, indicating a positive shift in the team’s standards.
The Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association (PRIHA) is dedicated to building a competitive national program with the goal of participating in International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) world championships and eventually qualifying for the Winter Olympics. Over the past year, the player pool has expanded significantly, both in terms of numbers and skill level. A primary objective for the association is to cultivate a unified culture among athletes with varying levels of experience, all working toward a common goal.
Since becoming an IIHF associate member on September 29, 2022, the women’s team has made remarkable strides, including a historic win at the 2025 IIHF Women’s 3×3 Series in Buenos Aires, where they claimed gold by defeating Argentina 7-6 in overtime. This victory served as a form of redemption after their previous loss to the same team in the 2024 series final in São Paulo.
Camp participants reported that the focus was on enhancing conditioning, edge work, puck skills, and shooting techniques. This training camp provided a unique opportunity for Puerto Rican players from across North America to connect, showcase their talents, and visualize a clear path in a sport that is not traditionally associated with the island.
Looking ahead, PRIHA’s busy summer schedule includes the second stage of the Challenger Series at Sportplexe Pierrefonds in Montreal, which begins Thursday. The women’s division will feature teams from Puerto Rico, Lebanon, and Greece, while the men’s bracket includes Puerto Rico, Greece, Jamaica, and Lebanon. Additionally, an exhibition match involving a women’s team from Apna Hockey is planned. Puerto Rico’s women are eager to secure their first win in the series after facing challenges in Chicago, where they dropped three games from May 8-11.
In August, PRIHA will also host the Fiesta de Hockey in San Juan from August 5-9, an event aimed at promoting the sport on the island. With a new roller/deck rink available, officials plan to tour local communities to enhance development efforts and strengthen the connection between the players and the national program they proudly represent.