For many players, the road to a new PWHL season this year starts well before they put on their team jerseys. Rather than easing back into competition at training camp, they’ll get an early opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark. Representing all 10 countries, the group will take the ice in one of the sport’s biggest international tournaments with an opportunity to build momentum before the start of the PWHL season.
"Fans and players are so eager to get back on the ice and get the hockey season started,” said Toronto Sceptres and Canadian National Team defender Renata Fast. “It’s very unique that we have a world championship to start our season, and I think it’s going to give our fans a little bit of a sneak peek and a taste of what’s to come throughout the season.”
While the stakes of representing their countries are significant, the tournament also offers valuable preparation for the year ahead. The pace, intensity and pressure of international competition provide an opportunity to sharpen skills, find game rhythm and build confidence heading into the PWHL schedule. For returning veterans, it’s a chance to carry their competitive edge into another season, while recent draft selections and unsigned players can use the experience to continue developing and make an impression. With preseason around the corner, these players will already have meaningful competition under their belts.
PWHL Players at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship
An asterisk (*) denotes a 2026 PWHL Draft selection. A caret (^) denotes an unsigned player.
AUSTRIA (1)
- Theresa Schafzahl, Seattle Torrent
CANADA (19)
- Emily Clark, PWHL Hamilton
- Jessie Eldridge, Montréal Victoire
- Sarah Fillier, New York Sirens
- Rebecca Leslie, Ottawa Charge
- Emma Maltais, Montréal Victoire
- Kristin O’Neill, PWHL San Jose
- Danielle Serdachny, Seattle Torrent
- Laura Stacey, Montréal Victoire
- Daryl Watts, PWHL Detroit
- Sarah Wozniewicz, Ottawa Charge
- Erin Ambrose, PWHL Las Vegas
- Kendall Cooper, PHWL Las Vegas
- Renata Fast, Toronto Sceptres
- Nicole Gosling, PWHL Hamilton
- Sophie Jaques, Vancouver Goldeneyes
- Ella Shelton, Toronto Sceptres
- Kati Tabin, Montréal Victoire
- Ann-Renée Desbiens, Montréal Victoire
- Kayle Osborne, PWHL Hamilton
CZECHIA (8)
- Klára Hymlárová, Minnesota Frost
- Kristýna Kaltounková, New York Sirens
- Natálie Mlýnková, PWHL San Jose
- Kateřina Mrázová, Ottawa Charge
- Tereza Pištěková*^, Ottawa Charge
- Noemi Neubauerová, Seattle Torrent
- Daniela Pejšová, PWHL San Jose
- Aneta Tejralová, Seattle Torrent
DENMARK (1)
- Emma-Sofie Nordström*^, PWHL Hamilton
FINLAND (8)
- Elisa Holopainen*^, New York Sirens
- Michelle Karvinen, Montréal Victoire
- Petra Nieminen*^, Montréal Victoire
- Emma Nuutinen, Seattle Torrent
- Susanna Tapani, Boston Fleet
- Viivi Vainikka *^, Minnesota Frost
- Nelli Laitinen*, PWHL Hamilton
- Sanni Ahola, Ottawa Charge
GERMANY (6)
- Celina Haider^, New York Sirens
- Laura Kluge, Boston Fleet
- Lilli Welcke^, Minnesota Frost
- Luisa Welcke^, Boston Fleet
- Nina Jobst-Smith, PWHL Detroit
- Sandra Abstreiter^, PWHL Hamilton
JAPAN (1)
- Akane Shiga, PWHL Detroit
SWEDEN (7)
- Josefin Bouveng*, PWHL Vegas
- Sara Hjalmarsson, Toronto Sceptres
- Thea Johansson*^, Vancouver Goldeneyes
- Lina Ljungblom, Montréal Victoire
- Michelle Löwenhielm^, Toronto Sceptres
- Anna Kjellbin, PWHL Hamilton
- Maja Nylén Persson, New York Sirens
SWITZERLAND (4)
- Alina Müller, PWHL Hamilton
- Nicole Vallario, New York Sirens
- Andrea Brändli*, PWHL Detroit
- Saskia Maurer *^, PWHL Las Vegas
UNITED STATES (24)
- Hannah Bilka, PWHL Detroit
- Alex Carpenter, Seattle Torrent
- Jesse Compher, PWHL Detroit
- Lacey Eden*, PWHL Las Vegas
- Taylor Fox, Minnesota Frost
- Tessa Janecke*, PWHL Las Vegas
- Hilary Knight, PWHL Detroit
- Abbey Murphy*, Seattle Torrent
- Casey O’Brien, New York Sirens
- Kelly Pannek, Minnesota Frost
- Hayley Scamurra, PWHL Las Vegas
- Kirsten Simms*, Toronto Sceptres
- Grace Zumwinkle, Minnesota Frost
- Cayla Barnes, PWHL Detroit
- Laila Edwards*, PWHL San Jose
- Rory Guilday, PWHL San Jose
- KK Harvey*, Vancouver Goldeneyes
- Megan Keller, Boston Fleet
- Emma Peschel*, New York Sirens
- Lee Stecklein, Minnesota Frost
- Haley Winn, Boston Fleet
- Aerin Frankel, Boston Fleet
- Gwyneth Philips, Ottawa Charge
- Callie Shanahan, New York Sirens
Follow along with the PWHL’s coverage of the Women’s World Championships across the league’s social media channels. Plus, tune in to Jocks in Jills, streaming live on the PWHL YouTube channel throughout the week, for the latest updates, analysis and storylines.
