Algeria often goes under the radar in the ice hockey world, but our nation has quietly made significant history. Despite countries like South Africa and Morocco being IIHF members long before us, Algeria has quickly established itself with several groundbreaking achievements.

In June 2008, during the Arab Cup in Abu Dhabi, Algeria faced Morocco in what was the first-ever ice hockey match between two African nations, marking a historic moment not just for Algeria but for African ice hockey as a whole.

Fast forward to 2022, during the IIHF Development Cup, Algeria made history once again by playing against Colombia. This match was the first time an African nation competed against a South American nation in the sport. The game was a testament to the expanding global reach of ice hockey and Algeria’s role in pushing the sport’s boundaries.

Our journey didn’t stop there. In May 2024, Algeria participated in the Dream Nations Cup in New Jersey, facing a team of Indigenous North American players. This encounter marked another first—an African nation playing against an Indigenous team in ice hockey history.

And now, in the 2024 LATAM Cup, Algeria faced Puerto Rico, marking the first time an African team will play against a Caribbean team in ice hockey. Each of these milestones highlights Algeria’s growing influence in the sport and our commitment to expanding its reach.

Moreover, our club team, HC Alger Corsaires, has achieved a significant milestone by having its jersey displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, making it the only African club to receive this honor.

These achievements are more than just historical records; they symbolize the growth and inclusivity of ice hockey across continents. Algeria is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, inspiring future generations and showing the world that ice hockey knows no boundaries.

After beating Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Chile and Egypt to win division 2 of the LATAM Cup, we reflect on our journey and look forward to making more history. Stay tuned as Algeria continues to break new ground in the world of ice hockey, we hope to make an announcement of a tournament which has never happened before very soon.

11 comments

  10. Love these stories of unlikely hockey nations. It’s tough to grow the sport because equipment and infrastructure is expensive.

    I remember watching a documentary about the Kenya Ice Lion’s and there was only one ice rink in the country, which was half the size of a regular rink and had square corners. That was 5+ years ago so unsure if that’s still the case. What are the facilities like in Algeria?

  11. that’s so awesome!! i love seeing hockey spread to so many countries, best of luck to them! 🙂

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