After Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA, the Women’s Worlds will be held in the Czech Republic for the first time. The venue is the ice hockey arena in České Budějovice, which was opened in 1946 and renovated in 2001.
The coaching team led by head coach Colin Muller has nominated a balanced mix of up-and-coming prospects and experienced players. The 25-strong squad, whose average age is around 22, combines dynamism with routine. Nine players have already played over 100 international games – first and foremost EVZ forward Lara Stalder with 191 appearances, followed by defender Shannon Sigrist (132), who is under contract with the ZSC Lions women.
At the other end of the experience scale are 16-year-old Laure Mériguet (2) and 19-year-old Elena Gaberell (6), who have played fewer than ten games for the senior national team. Goalkeeper Monja Wagner also makes her debut in the squad. The 21-year-old currently plays for Union College in the NCAA.
“As the battle level and, above all, the game without the glass will be decisive at this level at the World Championship, we are relying on a stable defense as the key to success. That’s why, when putting together the squad, we deliberately chose defensively strong defenders who are physically present and play a physical game,” says Colin Muller.
Switzerland is in Group A with record world champions Canada, the USA, Finland and the Czech Republic. Group B features Japan, Sweden and Germany, as well as Norway and Hungary, who have been promoted from Division IA. All the nations in Group A and the three best teams from Group B will advance to the quarter-finals, while the two teams in last place in the overall rankings will be relegated.
Switzerland’s preparations will begin on Monday, 31 March 2025, in Kloten, before a first test match against Germany in Füssen on Thursday, 3 April 2025. Three days later, Switzerland will test against the Swedish team in Pisek, Czech Republic.
Head coach Muller says: “We can keep up with the other teams in terms of skating. However, the decisive factor will be how we perform without the puck. We also have to show clever puck management and an intelligent style of play in order to keep the games balanced for a long time – then a lot is possible. We’re looking forward to the World Championship and hope that all our players stay injury-free until then.”
The Women’s National Team World Cup match schedule
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 19:00: Czech Republic – Switzerland
Friday, April 11, 2025, 15:00: Switzerland – Canada
Monday, April 14, 2025, 15:00: Switzerland – Finland
Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 19:00: USA – Switzerland
The line-up in detail
Goalies (3): Andrea Brändli (MoDo Hockey / SWE), Saskia Maurer (SC Bern), Monja Wagner (Union College / USA)
Defense (8): Alessia Baechler (HC Davos), Lara Christen (SC Bern), Elena Gaberell (EVZ), Laure Mériguet (Genève-Servette), Alena Lynn Rossel (SC Bern), Shannon Sigrist (GCK/ZSC Lions), Nicole Vallario (University of St. Thomas / USA), Stefanie Wetli (HC Davos)
Offense (13): Leoni Balzer (HC Davos), Rahel Enzler (EVZ), Mara Frey (GCK/ZSC Lions), Naemi Herzig (EVZ), Sinja Leemann (GCK/ZSC Lions), Alina Marti (GCK/ZSC Lions), Alina Müller (PWHL Boston / USA), Kaleigh Quennec (SC Bern), Noemi Ryhner (EVZ), Lisa Rüedi (GCK/ZSC Lions), Vanessa Schaefer (University of British Columbia / CAN), Lara Stalder (EVZ), Ivana Wey (EVZ), Laura Zimmermann (St. Cloud University / USA)
