Women’s World Hockey Championship Preview: A player to watch on every team

Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

For more than half a decade, the United States proved to be unstoppable at the women’s World Championship.

They won five in a row from 2013-19, and also beat Canada at the Olympic Games in 2018. Despite the same two teams battling it out year after year (aside from 2019, when Finland took silver), the Americans had Canada’s number and established themselves as the best team in the game.

But the power balance has shifted in recent years. Canada won the past two World Championships and Olympic gold in 2022 and beat USA 4-3 in the seven-game Rivalry Series over the winter months. Now, with the World Championship heading to Brampton, Ontario, the pressure is back on for Canada to keep the streak alive.

The two North American powerhouses are favorites to go for the championship once again, but the battle for third is wide open. Like usual, the tournament will be split into Group A and Group B. All five Group A teams advance to the playoffs, while the three top teams from Group B will move up. The last-place team in Group B will be relegated, but the Division IA tournament in Shenzen, China is on hold until August after being moved from its original April date.

Of note, Finland – the only team outside North America to have at least 10 medals in this event – will have to fight their way back up after getting sent down to Group B for 2023. The defending Olympic bronze medalists will be a force to be reckoned with come the medal round, but will need to stay sharp through group play. France will also be returning to Group B for the first time since 2019 after replacing Denmark after their demotion last year.

The round-robin will run from April 5-11, with the quarterfinals kicking off two days later. The champion will be crowned on Sunday, April 16, in front of what should be a busy building at the CAA Centre.

Here’s a look at a player to watch on all 10 teams:

Group A

Canada: Sarah Fillier, C

Since joining the senior national team for the 2021 World Championship, very few players have been as dominant as Fillier has. The two-time Patty Kazmaier award finalist has a 100 percent gold-medal rate and she has eight goals and 17 points in 14 World Championship games. The Princeton captain had another eight goals and 11 points in seven Olympic outings last year after going on an absolute tear during the round-robin. At 22, Fillier is just getting started and has gained praise for being one of the best young players in the game today. Now heading into her third World Championship, the more mature forward is ready to cause mayhem.

Czechia: Daniela Pejsova, D

Hockey, as a whole, has seen some solid movement the past few years in Czechia, and there’s some solid young talent on both the men’s and women’s side coming through the ranks. Pejsova, 20, is set for her third World Championship and is looking to build on a performance that saw her lead the team with five goals and nine points a year ago. Pesjova was excellent at the recent Universiade, showing an aggressive and quick nature that allowed her to put up some solid efforts. Expect Pesjova to get some serious ice time once again this year, and the challenge of facing off against Canada and USA will keep things interesting.

Japan: Akane Shiga, C

Just 22, Shiga has already made her mark as one of the best Japanese women’s hockey players. The 2023 Universiade silver medalist led Japan’s World Championship effort with three goals, five points last year, and four goals the year before. She’s speedy, skilled and can be challenging to take the puck off along the boards. Given the competition in Group A, Japan will be in a tough spot, but perhaps playing against the high-quality competition will prepare them once they head to the quarterfinals.

Switzerland: Alina Müller, C

Müller is one of the best players in the NCAA, scoring 27 goals and 60 points in 38 games this year. The FIVE-time Patty Kazmaier finalist is known for her ability to step up in big moments and has been Switzerland’s best player since joining the senior team in 2014. Müller has been a finalist for the award in all five seasons she’s played in the NCAA, recording 252 points in 157 games in that span – good for 17th all-time and first among Europeans. The Swiss-born forward is considered to be one of the best European players internationally,scoring 12 goals and 23 points in 19 Olympic games. Müller took best forward honors at the 2018 tournament in a year that saw her lead in goals (seven) and points (10).

USA: Caroline Harvey, D

The 20-year-old is the future of the United States blueline, and that motion is already in full swing. She’s had two strong showings at the world championship and even played a role in the team’s Olympic run in 2022. A fast-moving, puck-moving blueliner, Harvey exploded on the college scene with an impressive 13 goals and 39 points in 41 games with Wisconsin this year, good for second among defenders and nine points behind Patty Kazmaier winner Sophie Jaques. Harvey’s journey is only just beginning, and she should play a key role with USA after her strong run at school this year.

Group B

Feb 3, 2022; Beijing, China; Team Finland goalkeeper Anni Keisala (36) controls the puck against USA during the third period in a women’s ice hockey Group A match during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Wukesong Sports Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Finland: Anni Keisala, G

After winning medals in 2019 (silver) and 2021 (bronze), the Finns fell flat and were knocked out of the quarterfinal last year, pushing them down to Group B. They should have no issue flying through the preliminary round and advancing to the playoffs, where goaltender Keisala will be tasked with pulling off some incredible performances. She was one of the best goaltenders in all international action last year and has a career world championship save percentage of .939. She was the tournament’s top goaltender in 2021 en route to a bronze and was again excellent at the Olympics last February. She’s the future of the Finnish national team’s crease, and she’ll need to be rested for the big games a week from now.

France: Chloe Aurard, LW

One of the brightest young stars in French hockey, Aurard is coming off her best college season yet with 20 goals and 54 points. The 24-year-old winger has 204 points in 167 games over five seasons, and is one point behind Marion Allemoz for the most French senior national team points among active players. The quick, smart forward keeps defenders on their heels and is hoping to build upon her excellent performance that saw her help lift France into the top tournament for this year. She was France’s best player at the 2019 tournament, the last time the team played this high up, and they’ll need her to be so again.

Germany: Sandra Abstreiter, G

A finalist for the NCAA’s top goaltender two years running, Abstreiter will look to turn a great run with Providence College of the NCAA into sustained success. The 24-year-old covers the net well, moves quick and seems to play better the more shots she faces. She doesn’t have a ton of international experience, but she’s been good in most starts.

Hungary: Fanni Garát-Gasparics, LW

A stalwart with the national team for more than a decade, the 28-year-old chemical engineering masters student is coming off her first season in the PHF, which landed her a spot in the all-star game. Scoring has been hard for Hungary at the top tournament, but Garát-Gasparics’ performances at the Division IA level helped Hungary advance to the top event for 2021. Hungary, the ninth-ranked team, can make some noise this year after moving up two spots in the world rankings. Look for Garát-Gasparics to be on the top of her game.

Sweden: Emma Söderberg, G

Sweden has struggled on the women’s side, but there’s an opportunity for them to make noise this year. Despite a disappointing final result last year, the team had some hard-fought battles against Canada, Japan and Czechia. Those games remained close thanks to Söderberg, who is coming off of an excellent season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where she had 12 shutouts and a .938 save percentage in 33 games. This will be her second senior World Championship, and she’s looking to build upon her tremendous 2022 season that saw her stand out at every event she participated in.

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