With the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship opening on Friday, there are 65 players with WCHA connections competing for gold in Herning and Esbjerg, Denmark.
Held from Nov. 6-16, the WCHA representation includes players from all eight programs, as well as 21 current student-athletes. Eight of the 10 countries competing have WCHA representation in the lineup.
For complete information on the tournament schedule and results, visit the IIHF website.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
As the United States looks to defend its 2025 title, it leads WCHA representation with 16 players, including current Ohio State Buckeye Joy Dunne. 2025 bronze medalist Finland features the most 2026-27 players with six of their 13 total WCHA players competing collegiately this season, while 2025 silver medalist Canada also boasts five current players in their 11 skaters with WCHA connections.
Sweden’s roster has four current and nine total WCHA players, and three of Czechia’s six players come from the league while being led by former St. Cloud State and North Dakota Head Coach Brian Idalski. Switzerland’s make up includes current players Lucie Tenenbaum (Minnesota State) and Laura Zimmermann (St. Cloud State) of their five WCHA players, while Germany and Austria have three and two former WCHA players, respectively. Of the 10 team field, only Denmark and Japan don’t have a WCHA player in the lineup.
Wisconsin contributes the highest number of players with 13, while Minnesota boasts 11 players in this year’s tournament. Minnesota Duluth, Ohio State, and St. Cloud State each have 10, along with Minnesota Duluth’s eight coaching and support staff members in on the action. St. Thomas and former league member North Dakota each have three representatives, while Bemidji State’s Eva Beiter laces up for Austria and current Maverick Tenenbaum is representing Switzerland.
The Team USA contingent also includes former WCHA Commissioner Katie Million as USA Hockey’s General Manager, while the coaching staff is loaded with league ties. Current Minnesota State Head Coach Shari Dickerman is serving as assistant coach, joined by Wisconsin alum and former St. Cloud State Assistant Coach Molly Engstrom. Rounding out the coaching staff is current St. Thomas assistant coach and Minnesota State alum Alli Altman as Team USA’s goaltending coach, while former Wisconsin equipment manager Sis Paulsen continues her work on the support staff.
Two current officials from the WCHA have also been selected for the international event, as referees Michaela Bahl and Shannon Motzko take to the ice.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Teams begin their quest for gold at the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship on Friday, Nov. 6 in Herning and Esbjerg, Denmark. The tournament features 10 teams competing for the world title, with preliminary-round action running through Wednesday, Nov. 11 before entering the playoff stage. The medal games take place on Monday, Nov. 16.
Group A features the United States, Czechia, Switzerland, Germany and Austria, with all preliminary-round games played in Esbjerg. Group B includes Canada, Finland, Sweden, Japan and host nation Denmark, with preliminary-round action taking place in Herning.
Following the preliminary round, the playoff stage begins on Friday, Nov. 13 with the relegation game and all four quarterfinals. The two semifinals will be played on Sunday, Nov. 15, before the bronze and gold medal games conclude the tournament on Monday, Nov. 16.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.
UNITED STATES (16 Players, 1 Current, 6 Coaches/Staff)
Cayla Barnes, Ohio State
Hannah Bilka, Ohio State
Jesse Compher, Wisconsin
Joy Dunne, Ohio State *
Lacey Eden, Wisconsin
Laila Edwards, Wisconsin
Taylor Fox, Minnesota
Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin
Hilary Knight, Wisconsin
Abbey Murphy, Minnesota
Casey O’Brien, Wisconsin
Kelly Pannek, Minnesota
Emma Peschel, Ohio State
Kirsten Simms, Wisconsin
Lee Stecklein, Minnesota
Grace Zumwinkle, Minnesota
Katie Million - General Manager (Former WCHA Commissioner)
Shari Dickerman - Assistant Coach (Minnesota State Head Coach)
Molly Engstrom - Assistant Coach (Wisconsin alum, former St. Cloud State Assistant Coach)
Alli Altmann - Goaltending Coach (Minnesota State alum, St. Thomas Assistant Coach)
Kaela Colvard - Sports Dietitian (St. Thomas)
Sis Paulsen - Equipment Manager (Wisconsin alum, former Wisconsin Equipment Manager/Director of Hockey Ops)
FINLAND (13 Players, 6 Current, 1 Coach/Staff)
Sanni Ahola, St. Cloud State
Michelle Karvinen, North Dakota
Emilia Kyrkkö, St. Cloud State *
Nelli Laitinen, Minnesota
Emma Nuutinen, North Dakota
Jenniina Nylund, St. Cloud State
Krista Parkkonen, Minnesota/Minnesota Duluth
Julia Schalin, Minnesota *
Sofianna Sundelin, St. Cloud State *
Tuuli Tallinen, Minnesota Duluth *
Susanna Tapani, North Dakota
Sanni Vanhanen, Ohio State *
Siiri Yrjölä, St. Cloud State *
Satu Kiipeli - Team Leader (Minnesota Duluth alum)
CANADA (11 Players, 5 Current, 1 Coach)
Emily Clark, Wisconsin
Ann-Renée Desbiens, Wisconsin
Ève Gascon, Minnesota Duluth *
Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth *
Emma Maltais, Ohio State
Hayley McDonald, Ohio State *
Chloe Primerano, Minnesota *
Rosalie Tremblay, Wisconsin *
Daryl Watts, Wisconsin
Sarah Wozniewicz, Wisconsin
Caroline Ouellette - Assistant Coach (Minnesota Duluth alum and former Assistant Coach)
SWEDEN (9 Players, 4 Current, 3 Coaches)
Josefin Bouveng, Minnesota
Thea Johansson, Minnesota Duluth
Mira Jungåker, Ohio State *
Ida Karlsson, Minnesota Duluth *
Michelle Löwenhielm, Minnesota Duluth
Sofie Lundin, Ohio State
Jenna Raunio, Ohio State *
Emma Söderberg, Minnesota Duluth
Hilda Svensson, Ohio State *
Erika Holst - Head Coach (Minnesota Duluth alum)
Pernilla Winberg - Assistant Coach (Minnesota Duluth alum)
Ida Kyrilis - Strength & Conditioning Coach (Minnesota State alum)
CZECHIA (6 Players, 3 Current, 1 Coach)
Klára Hymlárová, St. Cloud State
Natálie Mlýnková, Minnesota
Katerina Mrázová, Minnesota Duluth
Daniela Nováková, St. Thomas *
Tereza Plosová, Minnesota *
Adéla Šapovalivová, Wisconsin *
Brian Idalski - Head Coach (Former North Dakota and St. Cloud State Head Coach)
SWITZERLAND (5 Players, 2 Current, 2 Coach/Staff)
Andrea Brändli, Ohio State
Saskia Maurer, St. Thomas
Lucie Tenenbaum, Minnesota State *
Nicole Vallario, St. Thomas
Laura Zimmermann, St. Cloud State *
Shannon Miller - Head Coach (Former Minnesota Duluth Head Coach)
Saara Kivenmäki - Assistant Coach (Minnesota Duluth alum)
GERMANY (3 Players, 1 Coach)
Nina Jobst-Smith, Minnesota Duluth
Laura Kluge, St. Cloud State
Svenja Voigt, St. Cloud State
Jennifer Harss - Strength & Conditioning Coach (Minnesota Duluth Alum)
AUSTRIA (2 Players)
Eva Beiter, Bemidji State
Annika Fazokas, St. Cloud State
OFFICIALS (Current WCHA Referees & Linesmen)
Michaela Bahl
Shannon Motzko
* active player