photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
With all the talk about North American dominance on the women’s side - and rightfully so – the under-18 tournament is where upsets do happen. In 2023, Sweden played their way to the final, only to lose to a strong Canadian team, and in 2024, it was Czechia that upset Canada in the semifinal, and advanced to the final against the Americans.
Let’s see what Group A looks like this year.
Finland
The Finnish program is steadily moving forward under the guidance of head coach Mira Kuisma, who’ll be entering her sixth U18 Women’s World Championship. The 37-year-old coach has seen it all during that time, from close games to near-disasters. But the results have been consistent as her team has played in the bronze medal game every year, winning the bronze twice.
As a former goaltender herself, Kuisma knows the importance of a good backstopper. And once again, Finland has that department covered. It seems a little silly to talk about veterans at an under-18 tournament, but Kerttu Kuja-Halkola is no rookie in the tournament. Instead, the 17-year-old is entering her third WW18 and is playing the best hockey of her life in the Finnish league. In 2023, she made 38 saves in the semifinal that Canada won in OT.
Kuisma also picked two 2010 birthdates for the team: Fanny Kyrkko and Tuulianna Artti will hit the ice as 14-year-olds.
Sweden
In five years, women’s hockey in Sweden has bounced back from the 2019 relegation of the senior naitonal team. And the 2023 WW18 final is an indication of what is to come, even if the 2024 team bowed out in the quarter-finals. The number of female players is on the rise and the SDHL is the best league in Europe.
Frolunda’s Maja Helge has proved in the SDHL that she’s a goaltender Sweden can build its team around. In her nine games, she’s posted a 90.0 save percentage and a 2.52 GAA.
The Swedish defence boasts players who have both size and mobility. In the offence, keep an eye on left-winger Ebba Hesselvall, who’s racked up points in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan, as well as the Brynas center Tilde Sundnas Grillfors.
Japan
Team Japan is back in the top division after a one-year hiatus. Last season, Japan cruised through the Division I tournament with a perfect 5-0 record, earning promotion to the WW18 in Vantaa.
Traditionally, the Japanese teams base their game on good collective play and speed. This team will be no exception. It's a young and small group, averaging only 15.6 years and 158 cm tall, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single player under 160 cm on any of the other teams.
However, it’s hockey, and a good team that works together - something Team Japan plays does – can beat anyone.
USA
As always, the Americans are favoured to win their group.
Something’s changed with USA Hockey. Just a few years ago, the WW18 team was built on players with the oldest birthdates. In 2023, for example, there were only seven underage players on the team that won bronze in Sweden. Last year, there were 12 underage players and this team in Vantaa has 15 players born after 2007, including all goaltenders, and Sydney Stoughton, 15, who’s collected 47 points in 41 games for the Lovell Academy.
Now, the Americans enter the tournament as reigning champions, so the program works. Team USA has no weak links.
Goaltender Morgan Stickney has an impressive 94.0 save percentage in 11 games with the famous Shattuck St. Mary's team, and the defence has size and firepower. Team captain Bella Fanale – committed to the University of Minnesota – will also play in her third under-18 Women’s World Championship and looks ready to lead the team to gold. She scored twice in the team's dress rehearsal against Czechia. Another three-time WW18 participant, defender Megan Healy will get an A on her sweater.
Let’s see what Group A looks like this year.
Finland
The Finnish program is steadily moving forward under the guidance of head coach Mira Kuisma, who’ll be entering her sixth U18 Women’s World Championship. The 37-year-old coach has seen it all during that time, from close games to near-disasters. But the results have been consistent as her team has played in the bronze medal game every year, winning the bronze twice.
As a former goaltender herself, Kuisma knows the importance of a good backstopper. And once again, Finland has that department covered. It seems a little silly to talk about veterans at an under-18 tournament, but Kerttu Kuja-Halkola is no rookie in the tournament. Instead, the 17-year-old is entering her third WW18 and is playing the best hockey of her life in the Finnish league. In 2023, she made 38 saves in the semifinal that Canada won in OT.
Kuisma also picked two 2010 birthdates for the team: Fanny Kyrkko and Tuulianna Artti will hit the ice as 14-year-olds.
Sweden
In five years, women’s hockey in Sweden has bounced back from the 2019 relegation of the senior naitonal team. And the 2023 WW18 final is an indication of what is to come, even if the 2024 team bowed out in the quarter-finals. The number of female players is on the rise and the SDHL is the best league in Europe.
Frolunda’s Maja Helge has proved in the SDHL that she’s a goaltender Sweden can build its team around. In her nine games, she’s posted a 90.0 save percentage and a 2.52 GAA.
The Swedish defence boasts players who have both size and mobility. In the offence, keep an eye on left-winger Ebba Hesselvall, who’s racked up points in the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan, as well as the Brynas center Tilde Sundnas Grillfors.
Japan
Team Japan is back in the top division after a one-year hiatus. Last season, Japan cruised through the Division I tournament with a perfect 5-0 record, earning promotion to the WW18 in Vantaa.
Traditionally, the Japanese teams base their game on good collective play and speed. This team will be no exception. It's a young and small group, averaging only 15.6 years and 158 cm tall, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single player under 160 cm on any of the other teams.
However, it’s hockey, and a good team that works together - something Team Japan plays does – can beat anyone.
USA
As always, the Americans are favoured to win their group.
Something’s changed with USA Hockey. Just a few years ago, the WW18 team was built on players with the oldest birthdates. In 2023, for example, there were only seven underage players on the team that won bronze in Sweden. Last year, there were 12 underage players and this team in Vantaa has 15 players born after 2007, including all goaltenders, and Sydney Stoughton, 15, who’s collected 47 points in 41 games for the Lovell Academy.
Now, the Americans enter the tournament as reigning champions, so the program works. Team USA has no weak links.
Goaltender Morgan Stickney has an impressive 94.0 save percentage in 11 games with the famous Shattuck St. Mary's team, and the defence has size and firepower. Team captain Bella Fanale – committed to the University of Minnesota – will also play in her third under-18 Women’s World Championship and looks ready to lead the team to gold. She scored twice in the team's dress rehearsal against Czechia. Another three-time WW18 participant, defender Megan Healy will get an A on her sweater.