Phillipsburg Grad Antonio Vidal Contributes to Cuba's Historic Victory at 2024 Amerigol LATAM Cup

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ – From the moment he first laced up his skates at just four years old, Antonio Vidal was hooked on hockey. Now, the 2021 Phillipsburg graduate has taken his passion for the sport to international heights, becoming a key player in the Cuban American men’s team that recently clinched the Division I title at the 2024 Amerigol LATAM Cup.

Growing up in Lopatcong Township, Antonio honed his skills as a member of the Phillipsburg Hockey Club. This past week, his dedication to the sport led to an invitation to join the Cuba Tropicals for their debut appearance in the Amerigol LATAM Cup.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

The Cuba Tropicals, a team made up of Cuban exiles and Americans of Cuban descent, are not affiliated with the Cuban government. For Antonio, this connection is deeply personal—he is the grandson of Cuban exiles Briseida and Julio Gracia.

In a nail-biting final, the Cuba Tropicals secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Greece , earning them the Division I championship in their very first appearance at the tournament. Their remarkable achievement was featured on the NHL website , highlighting the significance of their win.

Looking ahead, the team’s legacy will be preserved in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, where their jersey, roster, and other memorabilia are set to be displayed in 2025.

Reflecting on the experience, Antonio shared, "I started playing hockey at four years old and immediately fell in love with the game. I never thought there would be so many Cuban Americans who love hockey as much as I do! It was an honor to represent the country of my heritage."

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Antonio is currently a sophomore at Liberty University, where he continues to pursue his passion on the ice, playing for the Men’s D2 Hockey Team while studying Biopsychology.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net