Greek National Ice Hockey Team Development Cup '24

Hi Hockey Friends!

For the first time in 11 years, since their participation in the IIHF Div iii World Championships in 2013, Greece is sending a National Team to an IIHF event, the 2024 IIHF Development Cup tournament in Bratislava, Slovakia on April 21-27, 2024. This team will be almost entirely comprised of players who reside in Greece and learned the game in Greece! While Greece does not have a single regulation sized rink in the entire country, there are many passionate coaches, ex-National Team players, and the next generation of young players that play and practice on a smaller size rink for the love of the game. Most of the players on the roster will be between 18-25 -- with a few veterans sprinkled in for support. Participation in this tournament is the next step in an ongoing process to get Greece back to IIHF full member status.

Recently announced General Manager of the team, former National Team player John Koufis and the coaching staff comprised of ex-NHL player Niko Dimitrakos, former Western Michigan standout Jeff Green, previous National Team Coaches Mirel Dumitrake and Giotis Efkarpidis, and Video Coach Christopher Zarb of Force Hockey IQ are very excited to lead this group of players into the tournament.

As you can imagine - after so many years out of the IIHF "game" - ramping up the national program for sustained success is a very daunting endeavor! As such, the team is looking to raise the stated goal funds via private donations or though this GoFundMe to help the players with the tryout and training costs as well as equipment and all travel costs. We are calling on all Ice Hockey fans and all Greeks worldwide --- Let's all come together and help fund the dreams and goals of Greek Ice Hockey GENERATION NEXT!!

Please note - no raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to your GoFundMe.