Affiliated Programs

First Nations Women’s Hockey Team to Make Historic Debut at 2025 Amerigol LATAM Cup in Florida 

Coral Springs, FL – August 7, 2025 — For the first time in history, an all-Indigenous women’s hockey team will take the ice at the prestigious Amerigol LATAM Cup, held August 17–21 at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, Florida. 

This inaugural team brings together elite Indigenous athletes from across Canada and the United States, uniting through hockey to honor their ancestors, celebrate their cultures, and inspire future generations. Sponsored by Celsius Sports Drink and supported by the Florida Panthers, NHL, and NHLPA, the First Nations team is making a powerful statement: Indigenous women belong on every stage — especially in sport. 

Founded and managed by Karen Ota-O’Brien, a proud member of the Simpcw people of the Secwepemc Nation, the team is the result of decades of leadership in both women’s and Indigenous hockey. Karen has worked tirelessly to build pathways for Indigenous players and was named a finalist for the NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in 2023 and recognized as USA Hockey’s Adult Player of the Year. 

“This team is about more than winning games. It’s about bringing recognition to First Nations through something we all love — hockey,” says Ota-O’Brien. “These women are playing not just for themselves, but for their communities, their families, and the generations to come.” 

 A Team with Purpose 

More than a team, First Nations is a growing movement grounded in connection, sisterhood, and cultural pride. Their mission: 

“To connect First Nations tribes from the U.S. and Canada through hockey, to spread awareness of our cultures, and to offer Indigenous women of all ages a space to come together as one sisterhood.” 

The roster reflects a rich cross-section of Indigenous nations, with players chosen not only for their skill on the ice but for their leadership off it. Led by Captain Tonya Williams (Ojibway) and guided by coaches Katie Harrington and Elaine Luzano, the team is preparing for a powerful debut in the Tier 2 Women’s Division.