ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE — A capsule look at the 10 countries competing in the 2025 women’s world hockey championship April 9-20 in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia. Listed according to IIHF 2024 world ranking:
POOL A
Canada
Winners of three of the last four world titles as well as Olympic gold in 2022, the defending champions arrived in Czechia with injury question marks, including goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin is closing in on Canadian tournament records held by Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford. Canada is carrying 23 PWHL players and two from the college ranks
United States
Kendall Coyne Schofield, Taylor Heise and world championship all-time points leader Hilary Knight among 14 PWHL players. High-octane college talent includes Caroline Harvey and Kirsten Simms. Defender Laila Edwards was the 2024 tournament MVP. Games against Canada are a coin flip. Expect more pitched battles in their storied hockey rivalry.
Finland
Minus cornerstone defender and captain Jenni Hiirikoski due to illness. Look to veteran forward Michelle Karvinen to step into leadership void. Forwards Noora Tulus (New York) and Susanna Tapani (Boston) and defender Ronja Savolainen (Ottawa) are the three PWHL players. Beat Czechia in a shootout last year for the bronze medal in Utica, N.Y.
Czechia
Breakthrough bronze medallist in 2022 and 2023 before shootout loss to the Finns in Utica. The Czechs, coached by Canadian and Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod, want to make their country’s first time hosting the championship memorable. Nine PWHL players, including top goalscorer Teresa Vanisova (Ottawa) and goalie Klara Peslarova (Boston).
Switzerland
Swiss lost three straight bronze-medal games from 2021 to 2023. Lone PWHL player Alina Muller had a slow start this season with Boston, but generated 18 points in her last 17 games. Captain Lara Stalder is team’s other top producer. Will likely need goaltending heroics from capable Andrea Braendli to get past the quarterfinal round.
POOL B
Japan
Outscored the opposition 17-3 over three games and went undefeated in February’s Olympic qualifying tournament to punch a ticket to Milan-Cortina, Italy, in 2026. Former Ottawa Charge forward Akane Shiga (two goals, four assists) and Yumeka Wajima (five assists) led the attack.
Sweden
Took Canada to overtime in a 2023 quarterfinal. Forward Lina Ljungblom (Montreal), defender Anna Kjellbin (Toronto) and goaltender Emma Soderberg (Boston) are the PWHL reps. Went undefeated and outscored opposition 16-0 in Olympic qualifying tournament.
Germany
Very close to cracking A Pool after going 4-0 in Pool B, falling 1-0 to the Czechs in the quarterfinal and 3-2 in overtime to the Swiss in the fifth-place game in Utica. PWHLers are forward Laura Kluge (Toronto) and goaltender Sandra Abstreiter (Montreal). Coached by Canadian Jeff McLeod.
Hungary
Canada’s Pat Cortina is the head coach and former national team defender Delaney Collins is an assistant. Gave Germany a run for its money in February’s Olympic qualification tournament final in a 2-1 loss. Goaltender Aniko Nemeth posted a tournament-leading goals-against average of 0.77 in the Division 1 world championship last year en route to promotion.
Norway
Norwegians played in the first four women’s world hockey championships in 1990, 1992, 1994 and 1997, but weren’t seen again in the top division tournament until now. Andrea Dalen spurred Frolunda to a Swedish women’s championship with a league-leading five goals and eight assists in 11 playoff games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2025.
Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
