IIHF Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey
Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey Federation – 2026 Challenger Series Summary
The Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (JOIHF) continued its rapid international development in 2026 by assembling one of the strongest Jamaican heritage teams to date for the 2026 Challenger Series, held in Chicago (May 7–10) and Montreal (July 8–12).
Led by Dr. Don Anderson, President of JOIHF and former First Vice President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, alongside Edmond (Ed) R. Phillipps, JOIHF Vice President and Founder, the organization has established a long-term vision of developing Jamaica into a recognized international ice hockey nation while ultimately pursuing Olympic qualification. Their strategy focuses on recruiting elite players of Jamaican heritage competing throughout Canada, the United States and Europe while simultaneously building grassroots hockey programs within Jamaica itself. (Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation)
The 2026 Challenger Series featured five competing nations:
- Jamaica
- Greece (Defending Champions)
- Puerto Rico
- Lebanon
- Indian Heritage Team
The tournament was played over two stages, with results from the Chicago leg carrying forward into the championship round in Montreal. (Jamaica Gleaner)
2026 Jamaica National Team Roster
Forwards
- Taos Jordan (Captain)
- Carter Thornton
- Maleek McGowan
- Koby Francis
- Jazz Krivtsov
- Tayjon Street
- Elijah Chavez
- Jaxon Cooper
- Brenton Carter
Defence
- Avery Grant
- Tyson Rismond
- Jahwara Rennalls
- Ty Drummond
- Dane Jordan
Goaltenders
- Tyler Krivtsov
- Jayden Carr
Three additional players were reportedly under review during roster selection before the tournament. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Chicago Challenger Series (May 2026)
Chicago represented the opening stage of the competition and immediately demonstrated Jamaica’s growth as a hockey nation.
Key Results
- Jamaica 7 – Greece 5
- Jamaica shocked the defending champions by building a commanding 7–1 lead before holding off a late comeback.
- Goaltender Tyler Krivtsov earned Man of the Match honours.
- Jamaica also competed against:
- Puerto Rico
- Lebanon
Following the opening weekend, Jamaica and Greece were tied atop the overall standings, setting up an exciting championship round in Montreal. (Jamaica Observer)
Montreal Championship Round (July 2026)
The second leg determined the overall Challenger Series champion.
Jamaica advanced to the championship game after maintaining one of the tournament’s strongest performances throughout both weekends.
Championship Final
Greece 10 – Jamaica 6
Although Jamaica captured the silver medal, the tournament marked another significant step in the federation’s international development.
Following the event, President Don Anderson emphasized:
- expanding international recruitment
- arranging additional international exhibition games
- improving finishing and offensive execution
- continuing Jamaica’s long-term Olympic development pathway
Leadership
Dr. Don Anderson
President, Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey Federation
- Former First Vice President of the Jamaica Olympic Association
- Former Jamaican Olympic Team Chief de Mission
- Veteran sports administrator
- Driving force behind Jamaica’s Olympic hockey ambitions
Edmond (Ed) R. Phillipps
Vice President & Founder
- Founder of JOIHF
- Architect of Jamaica’s international hockey program
- Leads player recruitment, international partnerships and grassroots development
(Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation)
2026 Challenger Series Highlights
- Strongest Jamaican roster assembled to date.
- Players represented leagues including the ECHL, OHL, BCHL, OJHL, NCAA Division I & III, NOJHL, PJHL and European professional hockey.
- Defeated defending champion Greece 7–5 in Chicago.
- Finished tied for first after the opening stage.
- Advanced to the championship final in Montreal.
- Earned runner-up honours after falling to Greece 10–6.
- Continued building Jamaica’s international reputation as one of the fastest-growing emerging hockey nations. (Jamaica Gleaner)
This 2026 campaign further established the Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey Federation as a credible emerging program, demonstrating that a carefully recruited roster of Jamaican heritage players, combined with long-term grassroots development, can compete with established Challenger Series nations while laying the foundation for future participation in higher-level international competition.