photo: @ International Ice Hockey Federation / Matt Zambonin
When the Women’s Olympic Hockey Tournament opens in Milan–Cortina, it will signal a new era for the sport.
For decades, Olympic gold has passed exclusively between the United States and Canada, a rivalry that has defined almost every tournament. In 2026, the landscape will look and feel remarkedly different.
The rise of the PWHL has accelerated global parity. The world’s top players now prepare side‑by‑side during the season. That means sharing systems, pace, and daily competition before returning to their national colours.
Nowhere is that more evident than with the Boston Fleet and Montreal Victoire, where Olympians from Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, the United States, Canada, and Germany have pushed each other all year.
As they disperse to their national teams, Finland and Czechia, and Switzerland stand out as the most credible challengers in years, poised to push into a gold‑medal conversation long dominated by the North American teams.
Finland Poised for a Statement
Finland enters Milan–Cortina as one of the most closely watched challengers. The roster is well‑structured, experienced, and deeper than in recent Olympic cycles.
At the heart of their charge is forward Susanna Tapani, preparing for what she says will likely be her final Olympic appearance.
“Every time, it’s super special, but for me, this time is probably going to be the last time,” Tapani says. “It’s very special because my family and friends are coming for the first time.”
Finland’s hallmark remains its disciplined defensive structure.
“Our defensive play is usually our strength and our goalies are always good,” she says. “We actually have four lines who can all score.”
With Tapani leading one more push, Finland arrives in Italy a unified, confident group who are ready to threaten the gold‑medal conversation once again.
For decades, Olympic gold has passed exclusively between the United States and Canada, a rivalry that has defined almost every tournament. In 2026, the landscape will look and feel remarkedly different.
The rise of the PWHL has accelerated global parity. The world’s top players now prepare side‑by‑side during the season. That means sharing systems, pace, and daily competition before returning to their national colours.
Nowhere is that more evident than with the Boston Fleet and Montreal Victoire, where Olympians from Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, the United States, Canada, and Germany have pushed each other all year.
As they disperse to their national teams, Finland and Czechia, and Switzerland stand out as the most credible challengers in years, poised to push into a gold‑medal conversation long dominated by the North American teams.
Finland Poised for a Statement
Finland enters Milan–Cortina as one of the most closely watched challengers. The roster is well‑structured, experienced, and deeper than in recent Olympic cycles.
At the heart of their charge is forward Susanna Tapani, preparing for what she says will likely be her final Olympic appearance.
“Every time, it’s super special, but for me, this time is probably going to be the last time,” Tapani says. “It’s very special because my family and friends are coming for the first time.”
Finland’s hallmark remains its disciplined defensive structure.
“Our defensive play is usually our strength and our goalies are always good,” she says. “We actually have four lines who can all score.”
With Tapani leading one more push, Finland arrives in Italy a unified, confident group who are ready to threaten the gold‑medal conversation once again.
Breaking the Barrier: Czechia’s Blue Line Power and a Golden Opportunity
Czechia enters Milan–Cortina as the team many believe is finally ready to break into the Canada–USA gold‑medal conversation.
Their rise has been steady, intentional, and anchored by one of the strongest blue lines in international hockey.
Defender Daniela Pejsova illustrates the program’s evolution. Her season in the PWHL with the Boston Fleet has accelerated her game and sharpened her readiness for Olympic competition.
“Coming here to the PWHL, I feel like people have to get used to the speed,” she says. “This league is loaded with the greatest players. That definitely helps me to compete against them at the Olympics or international stage overall.”
For Pejsova, Czechia’s strength lies in reliability and unity.
“It's always just about being there for my teammates on and off the ice, support them along the way, do what I'm told to do on the ice and just be there for them,” she says.
Czechia’s rise has earned global attention.
“Getting the recognition from people that we are one of the better teams, it's a huge achievement for us,” she says. “It's not that long ago, since we were still in the B pool.”
Yet Czechia isn’t content merely to belong. They are aiming higher.
“Every time when I put on the Czech jersey, it's always just makes me so proud,” Pejsova says. “We have really great group. I can't wait to do it again.”
With experience, cohesion, and a blue line capable of dictating tempo, Czechia is no longer an outsider. They are a contender.
Czechia enters Milan–Cortina as the team many believe is finally ready to break into the Canada–USA gold‑medal conversation.
Their rise has been steady, intentional, and anchored by one of the strongest blue lines in international hockey.
Defender Daniela Pejsova illustrates the program’s evolution. Her season in the PWHL with the Boston Fleet has accelerated her game and sharpened her readiness for Olympic competition.
“Coming here to the PWHL, I feel like people have to get used to the speed,” she says. “This league is loaded with the greatest players. That definitely helps me to compete against them at the Olympics or international stage overall.”
For Pejsova, Czechia’s strength lies in reliability and unity.
“It's always just about being there for my teammates on and off the ice, support them along the way, do what I'm told to do on the ice and just be there for them,” she says.
Czechia’s rise has earned global attention.
“Getting the recognition from people that we are one of the better teams, it's a huge achievement for us,” she says. “It's not that long ago, since we were still in the B pool.”
Yet Czechia isn’t content merely to belong. They are aiming higher.
“Every time when I put on the Czech jersey, it's always just makes me so proud,” Pejsova says. “We have really great group. I can't wait to do it again.”
With experience, cohesion, and a blue line capable of dictating tempo, Czechia is no longer an outsider. They are a contender.
Calm at Pace: Müller and Switzerland’s Dark Horse Medal Push
Switzerland arrives with a clear identity and a leadership duo capable of influencing any game. For forward Alina Müller, composure and pace define their approach.
“I think just the pace of the game,” she says. “Every game, you got to be on top of your game, and help make any game feel like a daily business. Heading into the Olympics, I'm sure there's some nerves involved, but it's going to feel like a normal game, and that's going to help just focus on what matters most.”
Switzerland’s young players have matured over the past few years.
“It's a big advantage that our young players have a lot of responsibility early on,” Müller says. “They've been playing on our national team for a while now. Our goaltending has been really good. We’re very confident going in this tournament and we just see what it gives us back.”
Müller shares leadership responsibilities with veteran star Lara Stalder, forming one of the most influential duos on the ice.
“We know each other inside out,” she says. “We really feel like we can carry this team. We constantly chat and check in and that just elevates the both of us every day.”
Belief, Müller says, is the essential ingredient for success.
“Every single player on the team has to believe that we can upset the big opponents, and we can achieve our goal to win a medal,” she says.
The Olympics still hold deep meaning for her.
“For women's hockey, it’s the biggest tournament there is every four years,” she says. “I’m super proud to represent Switzerland… Everybody will be women's hockey fans when it matters.”
Switzerland enters Milan–Cortina as a true dark horse who is capable, experienced, and increasingly unafraid of breaking through.
Whirlwind to Milan–Cortina: Winn and Team USA’s Youthful New Edge
For defender Haley Winn, the path to her first Olympic Games began with a dream‑come‑true moment.
“A whirlwind. It's something you dream about since you were a young girl,” she says. “Getting that call was a dream come true. It leaves you speechless.”
She now steps into one of the sport’s most storied showdown.
“USA versus Canada, it's the greatest rivalry in sports,” she says. “The pressure and expectations are even that much higher, but it's just such an exciting rivalry.”
Team USA enters with a blend of young talent and veteran leadership.
“We're very grateful to have a younger group at the Olympics,” Winn says. “It’s exciting to have some younger players and also have the veterans. The veterans do such a good job of pulling us under the wing and leading us.”
Winn's season in the PWHL with the Fleet has prepared her for the elevated stakes.
“It'll be even that much more competitive and physical,” she says. “A big thing in the league is the physicality and how the game is progressing in that way.”
The United States will rely on the same formula that carried them to the 2025 IIHF Women’s Worlds gold.
“Just keep playing our game,” she says. “We've worked, put in the work and the preparation to get here.”
A dream come true leads to emotional reflection for Winn.
“Representing your country, it leaves you speechless,” she says. “Pressure is a privilege.”
All Lines, One Goal: Abstreiter and Germany’s Quiet Surge
Germany enters Milan–Cortina amid meaningful growth, built on depth, cohesion, and daily habits. Goaltender Sandra Abstreiter has seen the progress firsthand.
“We have evolved throughout the last few years,” she says. “All of our D work really close together. All of our four lines are pretty reliable. Even our fourth line can step up.”
Her own development has been shaped by competing in the PWHL.
“It’s helping me immensely,” she says. “Practicing with all of these girls every single day, I try to go into every practice giving 100 percent.”
Germany’s goal is clear but ambitious.
“Definitely the minimum goal for us is to go to quarterfinals, but I don't think we should set our limit there,” Abstreiter says. “What's really important for us is to just enjoy the moment.”
Putting on the national jersey remains emotional for Abstreiter.
“Every single time I put on that jersey, it means a lot,” she says. “Once we're there and we get on the ice, like, it's just going to be hockey again.”
Germany arrives as a team capable of surprising and determined to make the most of its opportunity.
All In, All Together: Canada’s Pursuit of Another Gold
Canadian forward Laura Stacey still remembers the moment that inspired her Olympic dream-watching Canada capture gold in 2002.
“It is a dream come true,” she says. “Back then, I wanted to be on the Canadian national team. I wanted to win gold with Canada at the Olympics. Now it’s another chance to fulfill that dream.”
Switzerland arrives with a clear identity and a leadership duo capable of influencing any game. For forward Alina Müller, composure and pace define their approach.
“I think just the pace of the game,” she says. “Every game, you got to be on top of your game, and help make any game feel like a daily business. Heading into the Olympics, I'm sure there's some nerves involved, but it's going to feel like a normal game, and that's going to help just focus on what matters most.”
Switzerland’s young players have matured over the past few years.
“It's a big advantage that our young players have a lot of responsibility early on,” Müller says. “They've been playing on our national team for a while now. Our goaltending has been really good. We’re very confident going in this tournament and we just see what it gives us back.”
Müller shares leadership responsibilities with veteran star Lara Stalder, forming one of the most influential duos on the ice.
“We know each other inside out,” she says. “We really feel like we can carry this team. We constantly chat and check in and that just elevates the both of us every day.”
Belief, Müller says, is the essential ingredient for success.
“Every single player on the team has to believe that we can upset the big opponents, and we can achieve our goal to win a medal,” she says.
The Olympics still hold deep meaning for her.
“For women's hockey, it’s the biggest tournament there is every four years,” she says. “I’m super proud to represent Switzerland… Everybody will be women's hockey fans when it matters.”
Switzerland enters Milan–Cortina as a true dark horse who is capable, experienced, and increasingly unafraid of breaking through.
Whirlwind to Milan–Cortina: Winn and Team USA’s Youthful New Edge
For defender Haley Winn, the path to her first Olympic Games began with a dream‑come‑true moment.
“A whirlwind. It's something you dream about since you were a young girl,” she says. “Getting that call was a dream come true. It leaves you speechless.”
She now steps into one of the sport’s most storied showdown.
“USA versus Canada, it's the greatest rivalry in sports,” she says. “The pressure and expectations are even that much higher, but it's just such an exciting rivalry.”
Team USA enters with a blend of young talent and veteran leadership.
“We're very grateful to have a younger group at the Olympics,” Winn says. “It’s exciting to have some younger players and also have the veterans. The veterans do such a good job of pulling us under the wing and leading us.”
Winn's season in the PWHL with the Fleet has prepared her for the elevated stakes.
“It'll be even that much more competitive and physical,” she says. “A big thing in the league is the physicality and how the game is progressing in that way.”
The United States will rely on the same formula that carried them to the 2025 IIHF Women’s Worlds gold.
“Just keep playing our game,” she says. “We've worked, put in the work and the preparation to get here.”
A dream come true leads to emotional reflection for Winn.
“Representing your country, it leaves you speechless,” she says. “Pressure is a privilege.”
All Lines, One Goal: Abstreiter and Germany’s Quiet Surge
Germany enters Milan–Cortina amid meaningful growth, built on depth, cohesion, and daily habits. Goaltender Sandra Abstreiter has seen the progress firsthand.
“We have evolved throughout the last few years,” she says. “All of our D work really close together. All of our four lines are pretty reliable. Even our fourth line can step up.”
Her own development has been shaped by competing in the PWHL.
“It’s helping me immensely,” she says. “Practicing with all of these girls every single day, I try to go into every practice giving 100 percent.”
Germany’s goal is clear but ambitious.
“Definitely the minimum goal for us is to go to quarterfinals, but I don't think we should set our limit there,” Abstreiter says. “What's really important for us is to just enjoy the moment.”
Putting on the national jersey remains emotional for Abstreiter.
“Every single time I put on that jersey, it means a lot,” she says. “Once we're there and we get on the ice, like, it's just going to be hockey again.”
Germany arrives as a team capable of surprising and determined to make the most of its opportunity.
All In, All Together: Canada’s Pursuit of Another Gold
Canadian forward Laura Stacey still remembers the moment that inspired her Olympic dream-watching Canada capture gold in 2002.
“It is a dream come true,” she says. “Back then, I wanted to be on the Canadian national team. I wanted to win gold with Canada at the Olympics. Now it’s another chance to fulfill that dream.”
Canada enters Milan–Cortina with experience and determination.
“There’s a lot of talk about us getting older, but it’s going to come down to how bad we want it, and how our team sticks together,” Stacey says.
The PWHL has shaped this generation, pushing standards higher.
“Having the PWHL nowadays, it changes the game for everybody,” she says. “We’re continually pushing ourselves to be better.”
Through it all, Stacey focuses on the present moment.
“Confidence is a big word,” she says. “The most important thing is, how can I remain in the present every single day.”
Canada remains a favourite but the field around them has never been stronger.
“There’s a lot of talk about us getting older, but it’s going to come down to how bad we want it, and how our team sticks together,” Stacey says.
The PWHL has shaped this generation, pushing standards higher.
“Having the PWHL nowadays, it changes the game for everybody,” she says. “We’re continually pushing ourselves to be better.”
Through it all, Stacey focuses on the present moment.
“Confidence is a big word,” she says. “The most important thing is, how can I remain in the present every single day.”
Canada remains a favourite but the field around them has never been stronger.