A Short History
The inception of HC Porto, Portugal’s pioneering ice hockey club, traces back to the ambitious vision of developing the sport in a nation with no winter sports tradition. The idea emerged alongside the construction of Portugal’s first modern ice rink, a project that sparked hopes of cultivating a hockey culture. However, the urgency to establish a competitive team grew after the Portuguese national team’s struggles at the IIHF Development Cup in April 2023, where their performance highlighted the need for a structured domestic program.
HC Porto was swiftly positioned as the foundational club for the national team, aiming to nurture local talent while bridging the gap through international expertise. The club’s journey began symbolically in Riga, Latvia, where its first official practice was held on July 25, 2023. This location underscored HC Porto’s early reliance on Latvian hockey infrastructure and mentorship. However, challenges soon arose. Uncertainties about the completion of Porto’s rink and skepticism toward ice hockey’s viability in Portugal led many national team players to decline joining the project. Faced with a shortage of committed Portuguese athletes, the club pivoted, expanding its initial plan to include a small contingent of Latvian players into a majority-Latvian roster for its debut season.
