NEW YORK SIRENS SUPPORT 2025 DREAM NATIONS CUP

Hannah Beckman, Media and Community Relations Coordinator for the New York Sirens, spends most of her days building relationships between the Sirens and the community to help grow hockey and the Sirens’ brand. While Beckman’s work usually happens in the front office, she recently had the opportunity to actively represent the broader mission of growing the game where it all begins: on the ice.

Beckman, a New Jersey native with Puerto Rican heritage, suited up for Team Puerto Rico in the Dream Nations Cup. The DNC is an invitational tournament presented by CCM that celebrates the sport’s growth in non-traditional hockey markets. The 2025 edition of the Dream Nations Cup recently concluded and featured 16 teams across two men’s divisions and a women’s division. 

The Dream Nations Cup is held at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just 10 miles away from where the Sirens play in Newark. The proximity allowed Beckman, and a contingent of Sirens’ staff, to support the event on and off the ice.

Two members of the Sirens’ front office participated as players in the tournament, with Beckman playing for Team Puerto Rico and Umar Khan, Fan Development & Group Sales Coordinator, suiting up for Team Pakistan.

Beckman reflected on the privilege of playing for the team and representing her Puerto Rican heritage on the ice.

“I think it’s really special. The first time I put on the Puerto Rican jersey I had this realization that I was playing for something much bigger than myself.” Beckman said, “You are wearing a whole nation on your chest. You’re representing people back home. Representing for little girls on the island doing something they didn’t think was possible, but now they see that it is.”

Beckman registered two assists in six games for Puerto Rico, with the team finishing fourth place in the women’s bracket. Beckman wasn’t the only New York Siren to make an impact at the DNC.

Team Pakistan made history at the Dream Nations Cup, with Khan playing a key role in their historic run. Khan and Pakistan captured third place in the men’s Division II bracket with a victory over Team Mexico. The victory gave Pakistan their first medal in an international event in team history. Khan played defense for the Pakistani team and tallied a goal in the team’s historic bronze-medal victory.

The program has been around for less than a year and was playing in just its second international event.  

The Dream Nations Cup was established to be a home for moments like Pakistan’s victory. In just its second year, the Dream Nations Cup has already hosted several historic firsts. 

In its inaugural season, the DNC featured the debut of a Indigenous team and the first appearance by the Egyptian women’s side. Just one year later, the Egyptian women captured their first gold medal in an international tournament. 

Historic occasions like that are what make international tournaments like the Dream Nations Cup special. It can inspire future generations to take up hockey when they see people of their background competing. Hannah Beckman reflected on how crucial that mission is when playing for Puerto Rico.

“When you play for a team or a college, it ends. You graduate or go on to play for other teams. When you play for a nation, it never ends. You’re playing so it can be sustainable," Beckman said. “You’re playing so that generations can grow up and play for Puerto Rico or any country. The same goes for players representing the USA or Canada. We’re all playing for the future. To have the honor and privilege of doing that is almost unexplainable.”

While Beckman believes the experience is important for the future of Puerto Rican hockey, it was also an opportunity to connect more with her heritage and share the game she loves with people from the same background.

Beckman grew up playing hockey, attending a prep school in Vermont before going on to play college hockey at Utica College and Manhattanville College. The forward never felt singled out for her background, but was always the only Puerto Rican player on her teams.

The Dream Nations Cup provided an opportunity to share a locker room with people who shared her culture; something Beckman says was a crucial experience.

“To be in a locker room full of Puerto Ricans, all having the same hype and emotion and passion was meaningful,” Beckman said. “It created a special bond. There’s an immediate chemistry because we all know we’re playing for the Island. Playing for something bigger than ourselves.”

Beckman and Khan’s participation wasn’t the only Sirens’ representation at the Dream Nations Cup. The team was on hand to interact with fans and give out prizes.

Assistant coach Lauren Williams was also on hand to provide broadcasting for the women’s final game where she also presented the medals and trophy to Egypt.

Ultimately, the Dream Nations Cup is about celebrating a shared love of hockey, no matter anyone’s background. The New York Sirens played a crucial role in accomplishing that mission. Whether it was supporting the event or having players on the ice, the organization helped show how hockey can unite communities, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire the next generation of players and fans.

For full results and statistics, visit dreamnationscup.com. Photos courtesy of Dream Nations Cup.