Alina Muller is looking to make Switzerland a women’s hockey powerhouse

BRAMPTON – In March, 25-year-old Alina Muller made history.

For the first time in five years, Alina Muller isn’t sure what’s next for her hockey career. She spent the past half-decade dominating the NCAA with Northeastern University, becoming the first five-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award – the highest honor possible.

Muller helped her school to five consecutive Hockey East titles, taking home the tournament MVP as a sophomore. She started as a 19-year-old and left as one of the greatest college hockey players of all time.

But now, in the midst of the 2023 IIHF women’s World Hockey Championship with Switzerland for the seventh time, Muller isn’t sure where her next destination will be. She knows it’s going to be in North America, in either the PHF or the new PWHPA league that’s expected to launch in 2023-24.

Either way, there will be one of the biggest bidding wars we’ve seen in the women’s game. And someone’s about to land one of the best players in the game today.

“I decided that I want to stay in the U.S. or Canada,” Muller said. “I’m not going home yet, not going to Europe yet. I love the hockey here… Hopefully I can sign with a professional team here.”

She added: “The level (in North America) is really high. It’s every player’s dream to play with the best in the world. Hopefully, one day, I can play with the best players in the world. I can learn from them, see how they treat themselves every day. It’s very competitive, and every game, you have a game like it’s at the worlds.”

She’s being humble, because she’s considered by many of her opponents to be among the best. Canada and the United States are full of star players. European teams are often carried by a select few every year. In Switzerland, that’s Muller and Lara Stalder, Switzerland’s captain.

But right now, Muller’s more focused on leading Switzerland to a medal in Brampton. Switzerland has finished fourth the past two years, but hasn’t won a medal at the worlds since 2012. Their last competitive medal was another bronze two years later at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.

Muller is part of a new generation of Swiss hockey stars. At 25, she’s one of the oldest players on the team, with an average age of 22.35. Other up-and-coming young national team players include Lisa Ruedi, Rahel Enzler, Alina Marti, Lara Christen and Laura Zimmerman. Muller is essentially royalty on the team for the way she managed to break through in the top level of North American amateur hockey.

And despite all her college success, Muller still hasn’t won anything at the international level. She has a good chance of changing that this weekend.

Switzerland will have a tough time against Canada in the semifinal on Saturday, but they’re guaranteed to play for a medal. And, if they manage to beat Canada – something Sweden nearly did – who knows? The more likely scenario is a meeting with Czechia, who beat the Swiss last week, but played an otherwise solid game. And Muller knows a medal would go a long way for Switzerland, especially with Finland missing out once again.

Muller’s career is still in its infancy, and the best is yet to come. And as Switzerland continues to push forward internationally, she’ll continue to be a big part of the revolution. She’s about to become a more household name to the general fan, and it’s exciting.

But right now, all she cares about is leaving Brampton with a reason to celebrate.