Jamaica open Challenger Series campaign with Greece showdown in Chicago

Jamaica begin their push to reclaim the Ice Hockey Challenger Series title tonight, facing Greece at Fifth Third Ice Arena in Chicago at 8:10 p.m.

Greece beat Jamaica in last year’s tournament and went on to secure their first championship, but head coach Kevin Jordan believes this year’s meeting should unfold differently.

Jordan said the current squad is among the strongest Jamaica have assembled in recent years and stressed that opening the tournament well is critical if they are to stay in contention for the trophy.

"Our first game is going to be against Greece and of the teams we have seen over the last few years, Greece has been on top of the list."

"They got a lot of experience, a lot of good players, they play a fast game. So it will be really important to fare well in that first game," he said.

"We came up just short against them in Chicago last year, but I think we are going to be in a different game this year."

"I am definitely confident of our ability and it's certainly important to start well. You don't want to start behind in this tournament."

Jamaica will be without leading defenceman Maleek McGowan, who has signed for NHL outfit Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the 2026-27 season, though Jordan said he is encouraged by the fresh talent in camp.

"I am feeling really good about the roster. We have a lot of returning players and a lot of new players. I think the team is going to gell quite well."

"It will probably be the best team that we've assembled since the Ottawa series (Canada 2024) and I feel really good about that."

"We got folks from all over. Some we have done a lot of research on. A lot of players are new that I haven't met but certainly the skillset has been amplified compared to the teams past," he pointed.

His main question heading into the event is how quickly the team can convert chances.

"I am curious to see what our goal scoring is going to be like. We have some new players and it will be interesting to see how quickly they adapt in a tournament that is so quick."

"Every coach knows it's not how you show on paper what it looks like, it’s another thing to put the puck in the net when you are out there on the ice with a brand new team."

"Most of these guys have not played together, except for those in Chicago last year. So still seeing how quickly we can score goals. That will be one thing, but to guard against that, it will be about helping with team chemistry and aligning on a team plan."

The 2026 competition expands from four teams to six, with Cuba and India joining Jamaica, Greece, Puerto Rico and Lebanon.

Jordan said no side in the field can be taken lightly and stressed that his team is concentrating only on the Greece opener.

"Every team is capable of beating any other team on any given day. I wouldn't want to look too far ahead of ourselves. We take it one game at a time and the first game is Greece. So we are going to be prepared for them."