From The National Herald
By The National Herald
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – More than a decade has passed since Greece has participated in an international ice hockey tournament, but they are looking to “make a triumphant return at the 2023 Amerigol Latam Cup” August 23-27 in Florida, according to a news release from Robert Morris University (RMU) in Moon Township, PA, which highlighted Greek-American RMU Division 1 Club hockey player George Makricostas, as “one of the key contributors in getting Greek hockey back on the map.”
Weirton, WV-native Makricostas “made his return to the game of hockey in 2022 with the Men’s Division One club team after a year off,” the RMU news release noted, adding that “Makricostas was a staple on [coach] Mike Joseph’s defense as a hard-hitting two-way threat. He finished the 2022-23 campaign with one goal and four assists. George will return for one final season in 2023-24.”
Players must have family ties to the country in order to qualify for that country’s team participating in the tournament. Makricostas has roots in Chios, Greece, on both sides of his family- his mother’s side is from Mesta and his father’s from Kardamyla.
When asked how his family reacted to his representing Greece, Makricostas said “his family was beyond excited for George to represent Greece and they can’t wait to see what this does for the future of Greek hockey,” the news released stated, noting that “hockey isn’t the biggest sport in Greece so they all hope this can help expand the game.”
A text message in April informed Makricostas of his spot on the roster which he said “was a shock and an honor,” according to the RMU statement.
“It’s an honor,” he told WTOV Fox 9 on July 19. “I know my grandparents and my parents are really proud… It’s really hard to describe. Just Greeks being Greeks. You get goosebumps just thinking about it. I couldn’t be more proud to do it, it’s an honor.”
In the weeks leading up to the tournament, “Makricostas says he will spend a few weeks in Greece with his family but plans to prepare not by skating on the ice but running in the hillsides filled with his family’s history,” WTOV Fox 9 reported.
Also on the roster for Team Greece are the cousins of Anaheim Ducks star forward Trevor Zegras, Billy and Brady, the former University of Michigan forward Niko Porikos, UNLV Club forward Angelos Tsalafos, goalie Demetri Condolios of the United States Premier Hockey League, forward Sotirois Karageorgos, and defenseman George Manolis, among others.
Makricostas “will be part of the leadership group and will have the A on his jersey,” RMU noted, adding that “Makricostas and the Greece squad will be staying at NHL hotels for the tournament and using the Florida Panthers facilities and rink for their games and practices.”
The tournament’s reigning champion from 2022, Puerto Rico, is undoubtedly looking to repeat its victory while Lebanon, Egypt, Armenia, and Israel are also confirmed for the 2023 Amerigol Latam Cup.
“After hopefully securing a championship for Greece, Makricostas then will shift his focus to helping RMU secure another CHMA [College Hockey Mid-America] title after falling just shy in [February] 2023,” RMU reported.
“Our expectation [is] to be back where we were last year, in the championship, just with a different result,” Makricostas said in the RMU statement.
Team Greece takes on Argentina on Wednesday, August 23, followed by Mexico on Thursday, August 24, and Lebanon on Friday, August 25. The schedule of play is available online: https://shorturl.at/htuRV.
All the best to Makricostas and Team Greece at this year’s tournament!
(Originally published at https://www.thenationalherald.com/greek-american-george-makricostas-on-team-greece-for-2023-amerigol-latam-cup/)
