Everything you Need to Know About the 3ICE World Cup

What is 3ICE?

Founded by E.J. Johnston, son of former NHL goaltender and coach Ed Johnston, 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.

Since launching in 2022, 3ICE has partnered with major networks, including CBS, ESPN, TSN, FanDuel Sports Network, and the NHL Network, while attracting legendary NHL coaches such as Ray Bourque, Larry Murphy, Ken Daneyko, and more. Three-on-three hockey is also widely expected to join the Winter Olympics from 2030, further cementing the format’s rising global profile.

What is the 3ICE World Cup?

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.

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.

Who are the Head Coaches?

The 3ICE World Cup will feature an outstanding lineup 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 lineup are Christian Wohlwend 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.

Who is Playing in the 3ICE World Cup?

The eight lineups feature players with an abundance of experience and a varied range, and Adam Keefe’s 3ICE Great Britain roster features an exciting mix of proven Elite League talent, emerging prospects, and NHL pedigree, all suited to the three-on-three format.

3ICE Great Britain: Lucas Brine (G), Harrison Blaisdell, Cameron Briere, Josh Waller, Thomas Freel, Ciaran Long, Bayley Harewood, Adam Keefe (Coach).

3ICE USA: Jeremy Brodeur (G), Eddie Matsushima, Zachary Solow, Hank Crone, Will MacKinnon, Patrick Grasso, Peter Lenes, Ken Daneyko (Coach).

3ICE Canada: Dylan Ferguson (G), Matthew Register, Jordan Kawaguchi, Josh Roach, Tag Bertuzzi, Chase Pearson, Jayce Hawryluk, Larry Murphy (Coach).

3ICE Austria: Rene Swette (G), Michael Kernberger, Niklas Wurschl, Oskar Maier, Lukas Bar, Nico Feldner, Marcel Witting, Nino Pedevilla (Coach).

3ICE Finland: Kasmir Kaskisuo (G), Teemu Kivihalme, Oskari Laaksonen, Teemu Pulkkinen, Anton Levtchi, Leo Ring, Kristian Tanus, Raimo Helminen (Coach).

3ICE Germany: Niklas Lunemann (G), Colin Ugbekile, Jon Matsumoto, Cedric Schiemenz, Elias Lindner, Louis Brune, Seb Streu, Ron Pasco (Coach).

3ICE Sweden: Linus Lundin (G), Oliver Kylington, Victor Björkung, Carl Jacobson, Anton Karlsson, Daniel Olsson-Trkulja, Dmytro Timashov, Johnny Oduya (Coach).

3ICE Switzerland: Lucas Rotheli (G), Jorden Gahler, Kay Schweri, Joel Marchon, Livio Truog, Mattheo Reinhard, Sandro Forrer, Christian Wohlwend (Coach).

Why Buy Tickets for the 3ICE World Cup?

Maximum Intensity: 3ICE strips the game back to its most exciting elements. Played three-on-three, with no room to hide, every shift matters. There’s more speed, more space, and more one-on-one battles than traditional hockey, meaning constant action and very little downtime.

World-Class Talent: The inaugural 3ICE World Cup will bring together elite players from across the globe, many of whom have top-level professional experience. You can expect high skill levels, unique creativity, and the kind of individual brilliance that thrives in the open format of 3ICE.

A New Game Experience: This tournament isn’t just about what happens on the ice. The 3ICE format is built with fans in mind – fast games and a knockout-style structure that keeps the stakes high throughout the weekend. Every game matters and every goal counts.

History in the Making: This is the first-ever World Cup, and Belfast is hosting it. Moments like this don’t come across all too often. Being part of a brand-new chapter in the sport, in a city with a proven passion for ice hockey, makes this more than just another date in the calendar. It’s an opportunity to say you were there at the beginning.

Perfect for Every Fan: Whether you’re a lifelong hockey fan or completely new to the sport, 3ICE is easy to follow and impossible to ignore. The format is simple, the action is constant, and the atmosphere promises to be unbeatable. If you’ve never been to a game at the home of the Giants, this is the perfect place to start.