Hockey PH names roster for Worlds

HOCKEY Philippines on Friday night revealed its roster for the upcoming 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships Division 3B.

Most of the players named on the roster took part in the Division 4 tournament last year in Mongolia, where they swept their way to the gold medal and promotion to their new division.

Named among the forwards are Patrick Abis, 2023 team captain Manvil Billones, Carlo Emmanuel de Guzman, veteran Steven Füglister, Benjamin Imperial, John Glenn Lagleva, Lenard Lancero 2nd, Mikel Sean Miller, Jan Aro Regencia, Miguel Relampagos, Kenwrick Sze and Carlo Tigaronita.

On defense are Einzenn Ham, Dan Carlo Pastrana, EJ Sibug, Julius Santiago and forwarddefenseman Richmond Yu.

Apart from Yu, another skater, Stephen James MacDonald, is also in the roster, though it is not clear if he is designated as a forward or a defenseman.

Paolo Späfford is set to return as one of the team’s goaltenders, with Irell Perez joining him, taking over from Gianpetro Iseppi.

This year’s tournament will mark Finnish head coach Juhani Ijäs’ second year coaching the Philippine side on the international circuit. Assistant coach Ian McGrath and goaltending coach JP Lassila are also expected to return behind the bench with Ijäs.

The IIHF World Championships Division 3B is set to take place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from February 23-29, with the Philippines first taking on Singapore.

They will also take on Iran, North Korea and Hong Kong. A watch party will also take place at Skinny Mike’s in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig during their game days.