The 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship is set to begin on Wednesday, April 9. Below is the tournament schedule, team rosters, and some “what-to-knows” for each team.
Schedule:
April 9:
Sweden Versus Germany at 5 a.m. EST.
Finland Versus Team USA at 9 a.m. EST.
Czechia Versus Switzerland at 1 p.m. EST.
April 10:
Japan Versus Norway at 5 a.m. EST.
Sweden Versus Hungary at 9 a.m. EST.
Canada Versus Finland at 1 p.m. EST.
April 11:
Hungary Versus Japan at 5 a.m. EST.
Switzerland Versus Canada at 9 a.m. EST.
USA Versus Czechia at 1 p.m. EST.
April 12:
Norway Versus Germany at 9 a.m. EST.
Finland Versus Czechia at 1 p.m. EST.
April 13:
Hungary Versus Norway at 5 a.m. EST.
Japan Versus Sweden at 9 a.m. EST.
Canada Versus USA at 1 p.m. EST.
April 14:
Germany Versus Hungary at 5 a.m. EST.
Switzerland Versus Finland at 9 a.m. EST.
Czechia Versus Canada at 1 p.m. EST.
April 15:
Norway Versus Sweden at 5 a.m. EST.
Germany Versus Japan at 9 a.m. EST.
USA Versus Switzerland at 1 p.m. EST.
17 April: Quarter-finals at 4 a.m. EST, 7:30 a.m. EST, 11 a.m. EST, and 3:30 p.m. EST.
19 April: 5 a.m. EST Fifth-place playoff, 9 a.m. EST Semi-final 1, 1 p.m. EST Semi-final 2
20 April: 8 a.m. EST Bronze-medal playoff, 12 p.m. EST Gold-medal game
Group A:
Canada:
Goaltenders: Eve Gascon, Kristen Campbell, Ann-Renee Desbiens
Defenders: Chloe Primerano, Sophie Jaques, Erin Ambrose, Renata Fast, Jocelyne Larocque, Ella Shelton, Micah Zandee-Hart, Claire Thompson
Forwards: Hannah Miller, Daryl Watts, Jennifer Gardiner, Emily Clark, Sarah Fillier, Brianne Jenner, Emma Maltais, Sarah Nurse, Kristin O’Neill, Marie-Philip Poulin, Danielle Serdachny, Natalie Spooner, Laura Stacey, and Blayre Turnbull
Canada has won four out of five of the IIHF Women’s tournaments this decade. They have also won the last three Rivalry Series against the United States. This Canada team is stacked with players from the Montreal Victoire and the Toronto Sceptres, the top teams in the PWHL. One thing Canada must look out for is injuries. Ann-Renee Desbiens, Sarah Nurse, and Natalie Spooner have all been injured in the past couple of months. The test for these stars will be whether they can still compete on a high international level. This roster features two former Patty Kazmaier Award winners, Daryl Watts and Sophie Jacques.
Czechia:
Goaltenders: Klára Peslarová, Viktorie Švejdová, Michaela Hesová.
Defenders: Daniela Pejšová, Aneta Tejralová, Dominika Lásková, Andrea Trnková, Sára Čajanová, Tereza Radová, Klára Seroiszková, Karolína Kosinová.
Forwards: Katerina Mrazova, Tereza Vanisová, Klára Hymlárová, Denisa Křížová, Noemi Neubauerová, Kristýna Kaltounková, Natálie Mlýnková, Michaela Pejzlová, Adéla Šapovalivová, Tereza Plosová, Barbora Juříčková, Tereza Pištěková, Hana Haasová, Vendula Přibylová.
This will be the first time that Czechia hosts the Women’s Worlds. They received the bronze medal in the tournament in 2022 and 2023. They finished fourth last year, and this year they hope to make it onto the podium once more. The test for team Czechia will be the lack of playing time for some of these players (including Katerina Mrazova, Dominika Laskova, and Klara Peslarova).
Finland:
Goaltenders: Sanni Ahola, Emilia Kyrkkö, Anni Keisala.
Defenders: Ronja Savolainen, Nelli Laitinen, Krista Parkkonen, Sanni Rantala, Siiri Yrjölä, Oona Koukkula, Elli Suoranta, Ada Eronen.
Forwards: Susanna Tapani, Noora Tulus, Michelle Karvinen, Elisa Holopainen, Petra Nieminen, Viivi Vanikka, Sanni Vanhanen, Jenniina Nylund, Emilia Vesa, Julia Schalin, Sofianna Sundelin, Ida Kuoppala, Julia Liikala, Emma Ekoluoma.
Team Finland starts this tournament with back-to-back games versus Team Canada and Team USA. One notable player not participating in this tournament is Captain Jenni Hiirikoski, who is also the all-time Women’s Worlds games leader. She will be missing this tournament due to illness. PWHLers Susanna Tapani and Ronja Savolainen will lift Team Finland during this tournament. With such a young, talented roster, Finland will put up a good fight.
Switzerland:
Goaltenders: Monja Wagner, Saskia Maurer, Andrea Brändli
Defenders: Laure Mériguet, Elena Gaberell, Alessia Baechler, Lara Christen, Alena Lynn Rossel, Shannon Sigrist, Nicole Vallario, and Stefanie Wetli.
Forwards: Alina Müller, Naemi Herzig, Ivana Wey, Leoni Balzer, Rahel Enzler, Sinja Leemann, Alina Marti, Kaleigh Quennec, Noemi Ryhner, Lisa Rüedi, Vanessa Schaefer, Laura Zimmermann, Lara Stalder.
Team Switzerland currently ranks fifth in the IIHF World Ranking. The offense will be led by Captain Lara Stalder and Alina Muller. Stalder holds a 0.956 point-per-game while Muller holds a 0.833 point-per-game. However, there is plenty of work to be done beyond the blueline, and most of it will fall into the hands of goaltender Andrea Brandli. Last year, she recorded her best save percentage (92.1). The Swiss are expected to finish in fifth place in Group A.
United States:
Goaltenders: Ava McNaughton, Aerin Frankel, Gwyneth Philips
Defenders: Lee Stecklein, Anna Wilgren, Cayla Barnes, Megan Keller, Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Haley Winn, and Savannah Harmon.
Forwards: Hilary Knight, Alex Carpenter, Britta Curl-Salemme, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, Lacey Eden, Hayley Scamurra, Tessa Janecke, Kirsten Simms, Taylor Heise, Joy Dunne, Abbey Murphy, Jesse Compher, Grace Zumwinkle.
The United States is looking for its 11th Women’s Worlds gold medal. Captain Hilary Knight has improved her game in the PWHL compared to last season. She leads the league in points with 28. The U.S. offence will be one to focus on this tournament, with key players like Alex Carpenter, Taylor Heise, and Kendall Coyne Schofield to join Hilary Knight. Aerin Frankel may be the tournament’s best goalie (behind Ann-Renee Desbiens). The blueline is looking sharp with 2018 Olympic gold medalists Cayla Barnes and Megan Keller.
Group B:
Germany:
This year’s roster for Germany remains mostly the same. Laura Kluge and Emily Nix are expected to lead the team in the offensive zone. Last year, Germany won all four group games before falling short against Czechia in the quarterfinal. This team is looking to prove that they belong in Group A.
Hungary:
Goaltenders: Anikó Németh, Zsuzsa Révész, Noémi Zoé Takács.
Defenders: Taylor Baker, Alexandra Cservyachenko, Lili Hajdu, Lorina Haraszt, Franciska Kiss-Simon, Isabel Lippai, Fruzsina Mayer, Bernadett Németh, Lotti Odnoga.
Forwards: Boglárka Báhiczki-Tóth, Réka Dabasi, Fanni Garát-Gasparics, Réka Hiezl, Imola Horváth, Alexandra Huszák, Kinga Jókai-Szilágyi, Emma Kreisz, Madie Leidt, Regina Metzler, Zsófia Pázmándi, Petra Polónyi, Míra Seregély, Krisztina Weiler.
Hungary will continue to be a threat to Germany in this tournament. Their offense last year was not remembered as bold. Fanni Gasparics and Alexandra Huszak are Hungary’s all-time scoring leaders on the IIHF level. These players will be joined by Reka Hiezl, who made her senior international debut in February and scored an overtime game-winning goal.
Japan:
Goaltenders: Miyuu Masuhara, Riko Kawaguchi, Haruka Kuromaru
Defenders: Aoi Shiga, Ayaka Hitosato, Kanami Seki, Kohane Sato, Akane Hosoyamada, Shiori Koike, Shiori Yamashita.
Forwards: Suzuka Maeda, Yoshino Enomoto,, Wakana Kurosu, Remi Koyama, Hikaru Yamashita, Rio Noro, Riri Noro, Umeka Odaira, Yumeka Wajima, Makoto Ito, Akane Shiga, Rui Ukita, Mei Miura
Japan’s goal for this tournament is to score. Yumeka Wajima was one of the scoring leaders as the Japanese won the inaugural Asia Women’s Championship early this year and then scored five goals in three games. Makoto Ito recorded 5 (2-3) points in qualifying, joining Akane Shiga and Rui Ukita at the top of the scoring charts. Can these stars repeat their successes on the international level?
Norway:
Goaltenders: Kaja Ekle, Marthe Kongstorp Johansen, Ena Nystrøm.
Defenders: Emma Bergesen, Andrine Furulund, Thea Reiermark Jørgensen, Silje Kongstorp Johansen, Ava Farid Malthe, Nora Haugerud Morset, Thea Rustbakken, Iben Tillman.
Forwards: Tiril Arntzen, Marthe Pabsdorff Brunvold, Kajsa Bråten, Andrea Dalen, Josefine Biseth Engmann, Mathea Fischer, Silje Gundersen, Ida Haave, Emilie Kruse, Tilde Simensen, Tea Løkke Nyberg, Karoline Pedersen, Lotte Pedersen, Millie Rose Sirum.
Norway will make an appearance at the IIHF Women’s Worlds after 27 years. Andrea Dalen will lead Team Norway this year. She was the playoff scoring leader in the SDHL with 13 (5-8) in 11 games. Retired defensive duo Ingrid Morset and Madelen Haug Hansen will be missed during this tournament. Holding a lead will be the focus for Norway during this tournament.
Sweden:
Goaltenders: Ebba Svensson-Träff, Emma Söderberg, Ida Boman
Defenders: Linnéa Andersson, Mira Jungåker, Emma Forsgren, Ida Karlsson, Paula Bergström, Jenna Raunio, Anna Kjellbin, Annie Silén
Forward: Hilda Svensson, Josefin Bouveng, Wilma Sundin, Lisa Johansson, Sofie Lundin, Sara Hjalmarsson, Lova Blom, Hanna Thuvik, Thea Johansson, Ebba Hedqvist, Lina Ljungblom, Hanna Olsson, Mira Hallin, Linnea Johansson.
Sweden is looking to keep up the momentum after an Olympic qualification victory back in February. Team Sweden allowed no goals in three games against the Netherlands with the help of Emma Soderberg and Ida Bowman. Bowman is the younger player between this duo, but she has played far more hockey this season in the SWHL compared to Soderberg in the PWHL. Anna Kjelbin returns for her sixth World’s appearance. Team Sweden will feature four players under 22 (Forsgren, Karlsson, Jungaker, Raunio) who will be the next generation of talent in Sweden. Lisa Johansson and Sara Hjalmarsson lead the team in Olympic qualification. A player to watch this year is Lina Ljungblom. At Worlds in 2023, she had 10 points (7-3). After spending some time on the ice with Marie-Philip Poulin, it is expected to elevate her game.
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