On 8 May 2025, a new chapter began for Algerian ice hockey.

My team, HC Corsaires, proudly became the first-ever winners of the Coupe d’Algérie, beating Fennecs HC 4–2 in a spirited and competitive final. As proud as I am of the team’s performance, the real story here is the continued growth of hockey in Algeria.

A Special Moment for Algerian Hockey

This wasn’t just a win for Corsaires—it was a win for everyone working to grow the sport here. In a country without a full-sized rink, and with no formal national league yet, pulling off a domestic competition like this was no small achievement.

It proved that despite the limitations, Algerian hockey is alive, developing, and determined.

A Hard-Fought Final

The match was fast-paced and physical, with Corsaires’ goals coming from Litim, Cherkaoui, Derder, and Belharfi, while Foura and Baymout scored for the Fennecs.

For us, it was more than just a cup match – it was a symbol of how far we’ve come since launching Corsaires in 2016 as Algeria’s first-ever ice hockey club.

Building Hockey from the Ground Up

When we founded HC Corsaires, we didn’t have a rink to play in, let alone a league. We trained and competed abroad, and we slowly carved out our place in African and Arab hockey circles. One of our proudest milestones was having a Corsaires jersey displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto – proof that our story had global significance.

Fast forward to today, and we now have two small ice rinks in Algeria – not full-size, but enough to host competitions and get people on the ice. It’s not ideal, but it’s a start.

What’s Next for Algerian Hockey?

Although we don’t yet have a full-sized rink or national league, we’re determined to keep the momentum going. One of our next steps is planning a 3-on-3 league – a format that fits well with our current rink sizes and can help build a local hockey culture while developing players.

It’s grassroots work, and it’s not always glamorous. But seeing Algerian players lifting a domestic trophy, playing in front of passionate fans, and being part of something historic makes it all worth it.

This is just the beginning.

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Thanks for reading. I’ll continue sharing updates as we push forward with growing hockey in Algeria and across the region.