Reggae Boyz on Ice Open Challenger Series Title Bid Against Greece in Chicago

Jamaica's senior men's ice hockey squad will hit the rink on Thursday, May 7 in Chicago as the programme moves to recapture the Challenger Series trophy it claimed when the competition launched in 2024.

The Caribbean side has been drawn into a three-team round robin alongside Puerto Rico and Lebanon, with each squad slated to play three fixtures across the Chicago leg.

The Jamaicans will lace up first against Greece, the reigning champions, before turning their attention to Puerto Rico on May 8 and closing out the tournament against Lebanon on May 9.

Points collected in Chicago will carry over to the second leg of the Challenger Series, which is scheduled for Montreal from July 8 to 12.

The travelling party is made up of 18 players and six officials, with veteran forward Taos Jordan named captain. Team President Dr Don Anderson, who has led five straight Olympic Games delegations for Jamaica, will also be part of the contingent.

The team is expected to be missing star man Maleek McGowan, who recently inked a professional deal in the American Hockey League following a strong campaign with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. Across the 2025-2026 OHL season, McGowan featured in 62 games and tallied 14 goals with 22 assists for 36 points, picking up several man-of-the-match honours along the way.

The Jamaica delegation is due to land in Chicago on May 6.