Head coaches confirmed for inaugural 3ICE World Cup in Belfast in July
As anticipation grows for the first-ever 3ICE World Cup on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026, the head coaches of the eight participating teams have been revealed.
Arriving in Belfast as part of Northern Ireland’s ‘America 250’ celebrations, which commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 3ICE is a professional ice hockey league built around the skill-driven three-on-three format of the game.
With two eight-minute periods of continuous play, the format emphasises speed, creativity, and attacking hockey, making it an immediate hit with fans and broadcasters worldwide.
The 3ICE World Cup marks the league’s most ambitious expansion to date. The two-day, eight-team international tournament will see 3ICE Great Britain, 3ICE USA, 3ICE Canada, 3ICE Sweden, 3ICE Finland, 3ICE Switzerland, 3ICE Germany, and 3ICE Austria go head-to-head for global bragging rights at the home of the Belfast Giants. 3ICE Great Britain will feature select players from across the Elite Ice Hockey League, offering fans a unique opportunity to see top domestic talent unite against world-class opposition.
Steve Thornton, sports director at The Odyssey Trust, said: “We’re incredibly proud to bring an event of this magnitude to Belfast. The 3ICE World Cup will showcase world-class talent in a fast-paced, exciting format, and the appointment of such high-profile head coaches underlines the quality and ambition of the tournament. With the passion of local fans and the global appeal of the tournament, this promises to be a truly memorable occasion for the city.”
The 3ICE World Cup will feature an outstanding line-up of head coaches, blending elite NHL pedigree with proven leadership at the highest levels of the game.
The international roster includes three-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Daneyko of the USA, four-time Stanley Cup winner Larry Murphy of Canada, two-time Stanley Cup winner Johnny Oduya of Sweden, Finland’s Olympic medallist Raimo Helminen, and Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants and one of the most successful figures in UK ice hockey, who will head up 3ICE Great Britain.
Completing the coaching line-up are Chris McSorley of Switzerland, Ron Pasco of Germany, and Austria’s Ryan Kinasewich, who bring a wealth of experience from across the globe to what promises to be a landmark event.
Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants and 3ICE Great Britain, said: “It’s a huge honour to be part of the first-ever 3ICE World Cup and to do so in Belfast makes it even more special. This city lives and breathes ice hockey, and I know the fans will bring an incredible energy to the event. The calibre of coaches speaks for itself, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing against some of the biggest names in the game.”
The tournament will be broadcast internationally through 3ICE’s global media partners, placing Belfast on screens across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Alongside the games themselves, the weekend will feature fan engagement activity and community programming, delivering a major celebration of ice hockey for both local supporters and visiting fans.
E J Johnston, founder and chief executive officer of 3ICE, added: “World-class coaches, world-class players, world-class hockey in a world-class city. We cannot wait to showcase the best part of hockey on a global stage.
“These two days will feature hockey’s greatest rivalries with the USA facing Canada, Finland facing Sweden, and more. The world is in for a treat. Buckle up, Belfast. This is just the beginning.”
With head coaches now confirmed, match-ups are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.
For more information about the 3ICE World Cup and to purchase tickets, please click here.