Men’s D2 Hockey Player Enters International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame

The Liberty University Men’s D2 Hockey team has a new face entering the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame: junior forward Antonio Vidal.

Vidal spent his summer playing for team Cuba of the Amerigol International Hockey Association, helping his team win gold in the Amerigol Latam Cup. The Cuban team battled it out against Greece on the ice Aug. 25. Cuba came out on top 4-3 to win its medals. Sticks, helmets and gloves were thrown in the air as the team huddled together, jumping in celebration.

“It was awesome,” Vidal said.

Vidal works for a hockey supplies store near his home in New Jersey. When his boss told him about the Cuba team’s Instagram, Vidal immediately went on his phone to see if it was true. He applied to be on the team through a Google sheet and was later asked to join and compete over the summer.

“I didn’t think it was real at first,” Vidal said.

The team consisted of Head Coach Scooter Vaughan, who played in the AHL; Assistant Coach Randy Hernández, who plays in the ECHL; and teammates who currently play high-level hockey or used to be pros.

“It was cool to hear (the coaches’) insight on the game (of hockey),” Vidal said. “I was surprised with how much chemistry we had without ever playing together.”

The team members gelled together quickly, and this cooperation showed in their gameplay throughout the season and their Latam Cup win. Each member of the team will be inducted into the hall of fame in the weeks to come.

“I never thought this would be a thing. It’s really cool,” Vidal said.

While winning the Latam Cup was extraordinary for Vidal, his time playing with the Cuba team in the Florida-based tournament meant more than just the gold medal.

“My favorite memory was playing Argentina,” Vidal said. “Their stands were packed, and they were doing soccer chants. It got our fans hyped.”

Vidal said that playing for Cuba meant so much more to him because it was an opportunity to play for his home country as well as a chance to connect with family members he had never met before.

“They are freshly out of Cuba,” Vidal said. “(I got to) meet them for the first time, and then they came (to the game) and celebrated with me.”

This is Vidal’s second season with the Liberty Flames. The D2 hockey team is full of experienced players and has a strong front line.

“If we can win a tournament with guys that have never played together, what can I do with these guys?” Vidal said.

Vidal came to Liberty due to the guidance and encouragement he received from fellow teammate senior forward Luke Tucker. Tucker began playing for Liberty his freshman year and has been a star on the ice ever since. Both Tucker and Vidal come from Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

“I came here (to Liberty) several times with him when we were growing up,” Vidal said. “It felt like a really cool place to grow in my faith and play hockey.”

The Liberty Men’s D2 Hockey season kicked off Sept. 12 against the University of Delaware. Liberty started the season strong by winning both games against Delaware.

“It feels really good,” Vidal said. “We’re moving the puck well, and it feels good to start the season off with a bang.”

With only four new additions to the team, the guys are prepared to strengthen their skills in order to be successful for upcoming games.

“We are expecting to be much more offensive,” Vidal said. “Most of our returns are forward, so we already have that chemistry to start off with.”

The Flames faced Florida Gulf Coast University in a series this past weekend, where they defeated the Eagles in both games.

Young is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.