The 2026–27 international women’s ice hockey season kicked off with high drama, intense competition, and a glimpse into a shifting European landscape as the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour (WEHT) descended on the SWISS Arena in Kloten, Switzerland.
With the World Championship looming on the horizon, the opening tournament in Kloten offered a fascinating testing ground.Featuring new coaching philosophies across multiple benches and a fierce battle for supremacy, it ultimately concluded with Sweden hoisting the tournament trophy after a stellar weekend.
Sweden beats Finland to win the first stage of WEHT.
Tournament Standings & Highlights
1st Place: Sweden
2nd/3rd/4th: host Switzerland, Finland, and Czechia, (in a tightly contested battle where all four teams secured at least one victory).
A Bold New Era for Host Switzerland Under Shannon Miller
For the host nation, the tournament marked the beginning of an exciting chapter under newly appointed head coach Shannon Miller. The Swiss squad showed remarkable grit, capturing hearts in Kloten with an energetic start.
The Openers: Switzerland opened their campaign in style with a convincing 4-2 victory over Sweden, followed by a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Finland.Down late in regulation against the Finns, captain Lara Stalder delivered the clutch equalizer with just under two minutes remaining before setting up Alina Müller for the overtime winner.
The Finale & Injury Scare: The dream of a clean sweep on home ice was halted in the final match against Czechia, where the Swiss fell 1-2.Compounding the loss was an injury scare to Stalder—who led the team with three goals and two assists—following a collision late in the second period.Though precautionary, her absence stymied a late-game Swiss comeback that saw Leonie Balzer pull one back.
Despite the closing defeat, securing two tournament victories signaled a massive step forward for Swiss women’s hockey under Miller’s leadership.
Sweden Grabs the Crown
Sweden navigated the four-nation gauntlet with tactical discipline and resilience. After an initial stumble against the host Swiss, the Tre Kronor bounced back in commanding fashion.A textbook 2-0 shutout victory over Finland late in the weekend cemented Sweden’s defensive resolve and propelled them to the top of the Kloten standings, proving they will be a formidable force heading deeper into the Euro Hockey Tour season.
Czechia and Finland Show Elite Depth
Czechia experienced a roller-coaster week, opening with a tight loss to Finland but finishing strong.Their disciplined 2-1 victory over Switzerland in the finale showcased their ability to grind out low-scoring, high-stakes games.
Finland showcased their trademark speed and offensive flair early on, with veteran leadership anchoring special teams and pacing the tournament’s scoring charts before dropping a couple of tight decisions down the stretch.
Looking Ahead
With all four teams capturing at least one win, the Kloten tournament underscored how narrow the margins have become between Europe’s top four hockey nations. As teams adapt to new systems and integrate rising talent, the 2026–27 WEHT season promises to be the most competitive yet on the road to global competition.
The inaugural IIHF Women’s European Cup of Nations kicked off its opening round from August 20–22, 2026, serving as a structured international competition designed to maximize meaningful games during international breaks.
The tournament featured two main groups: Group A held in Füssen, Germany, and Group B in Bardejov, Slovakia.Both host nations successfully defended their home ice to capture first place in their respective groups.
Germany stands tall after opening weekend of Women’s European Cup of Nations
Group A (Füssen, Germany)
Host: Germany
Participating Nations:Germany, France, Hungary, Norway
Champion:Germany (Undefeated, 3–0)
Tournament Summary:
Germanyclaimed top spot with a narrow 1–0 victory over Hungary in their final game, courtesy of a late Lilli Welcke goal with just two minutes remaining.Head coach Jeff MacLeod utilized the tournament to test various line combinations and rotate three different goaltenders (with Lisa Hemmerle earning the shutout in the finale and Chiara Schultes winning the opener).
Francefinished second (2–1), securing a crucial 2–1 win over Hungary on Day 2 behind goals from Manon le Scodan and Clara Rozier, followed by a 5–1 victory against Norway.
Hungarytook third place (1–2), highlighted by a dominant 8–0 rout of Norway to open the tournament, anchored by an Aniko Nemeth shutout and a four-point performance (1G, 3A) from returning forward Taylor Baker.
Norwayfinished fourth (0–3), though they put up a fight in a tightly contested 4–2 loss to Germany where Mathea Fischer and Emilie Kruse found the back of the net.
Slovakiadominated their group on home ice, outscoring opponents 18–3 behind a balanced attack where a dozen different players scored over the weekend.Elle Hartje led the charge offensively with 2 goals and 4 assists, while Barbora Sibertova netted 3 goals overall.
Austriasecured second place despite bringing a relatively young/secondary roster.They bounced back from an opening loss to Slovakia by blanking the Netherlands 2–0 (shutout by Anja Adamitsch) and defeating Italy 3–1 (two goals from Lena Daubock).
Italyfinished third, showcasing an inexperienced squad that managed a strong 3–1 opening-day win over the Netherlands, led by Aurora Abatangel (2 goals, 1 assist).
The Netherlandsrounded out the group in fourth, gaining valuable developmental minutes at the international level.
2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup Celebrates Growth, Competition and Diversity in Men’s and Women’s Hockey
The recently completed 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup once again demonstrated the growing reach of ice hockey across Latin America, the Caribbean and the international hockey community. The tournament brought together teams representing countries, territories, heritage communities and emerging hockey programs, creating an exciting environment where competition, culture and the development of the sport came together.
Among the highlights of this year’s tournament were the four senior divisions: Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II, Women’s Division I and Women’s Division II. Each division produced its own champion while providing players and programs with an opportunity to compete at a high level and gain valuable international tournament experience.
The 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup has proven once more that hockey transcends borders
Men’s Division I – Cuba Takes the Championship
Cuba captured the Men’s Division I championship, marking an important achievement for the Cuban hockey program.
The Division I competition brought together a strong group of teams and provided some of the tournament’s most competitive hockey. Cuba’s championship reflects the continued development of programs from countries where ice hockey is still an emerging sport.
For Cuba, the LATAM Cup represents an important opportunity to bring players together, build a stronger hockey identity and compete against international opposition. Winning the top men’s division is a significant milestone and gives the program valuable momentum heading into future competitions.
Men’s Division II – Italy Heritage Claims Gold
In Men’s Division II, Italy Heritage emerged as the tournament champion.
The championship highlighted the important role that heritage teams play within the LATAM Cup. These teams bring together players who share cultural and family connections to countries around the world while continuing to develop their hockey skills in North America.
Italy Heritage’s success demonstrates the competitive depth of Division II and the quality of hockey being played throughout the tournament. Their championship run was a fitting reward for a team that competed strongly throughout the event.
Women’s Division I – Caribbean Wins the Championship
The Caribbean captured the Women’s Division I championship, adding another major achievement to the region’s growing presence at the LATAM Cup.
The Caribbean women’s program has become an important part of the tournament’s development story. The team represents the continued growth of women’s hockey and provides players from Caribbean communities with an opportunity to compete, develop and represent their heritage on an international stage.
Winning Women’s Division I is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates the progress being made by women’s programs within the Caribbean hockey community.
The success is particularly meaningful because the LATAM Cup has consistently provided opportunities for women’s hockey programs from non-traditional hockey markets to establish themselves and gain valuable tournament experience.
Women’s Division II – First Nations Earns Gold
One of the most meaningful stories of the tournament came in Women’s Division II, where First Nations won the championship.
The First Nations women’s program represents Indigenous hockey communities and brings together players from across North America. Beyond the competition itself, the team provides an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous identity, culture, community and the role hockey can play in connecting generations.
The championship represents an important milestone for the program. It demonstrates that the team has developed not only as a community initiative but also as a highly competitive hockey program.
The First Nations team’s journey is particularly significant because the LATAM Cup provides a platform where hockey can be used to create connections and visibility for communities that may not always have opportunities to compete on an international stage.
Four Champions, One Common Goal
The four senior division champions — Cuba, Italy Heritage, Caribbean and First Nations — represent four very different hockey stories.
🥇 Men’s Division I: Cuba
🥇 Men’s Division II: Italy Heritage
🥇 Women’s Division I: Caribbean
🥇 Women’s Division II: First Nations
What connects these teams is more than their success on the ice. Each represents a community using hockey to build connections, develop players and create opportunities.
That is ultimately what makes the Amerigol LATAM Cup unique. The tournament is not limited to traditional hockey powers. It provides a platform for emerging nations, heritage teams and communities to compete and grow. Previous editions have included teams from countries and regions where hockey infrastructure is limited, illustrating the tournament’s broader role in expanding the sport.
Growing the Game
The LATAM Cup continues to play an important role in the development of hockey outside its traditional markets. For many participating teams, the tournament provides an opportunity to gain international experience that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
The value of the event goes beyond wins and losses. Players build friendships, coaches exchange ideas, organizations establish relationships and communities gain greater visibility through the sport.
For women’s hockey in particular, the continued presence and success of teams such as Caribbean and First Nations demonstrates how opportunities for women are expanding within emerging hockey communities.
At the same time, the success of Cuba and Italy Heritage in the men’s divisions shows the depth and diversity of the men’s competition.
Looking Ahead
The conclusion of the 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup is not simply the end of another tournament. It represents another step in the continued development of hockey throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and among international heritage and Indigenous communities.
The championships won by Cuba, Italy Heritage, Caribbean and First Nations will be remembered as important achievements for their respective programs. More importantly, the tournament continues to provide a pathway for players and teams to develop, compete and represent their communities with pride.
As the LATAM Cup continues to grow, its greatest success may ultimately be measured not only by the number of teams or championships, but by the number of new players, new programs and new hockey communities inspired to become part of the game.
The 2026 Amerigol LATAM Cup has once again shown that hockey has no borders — and that when opportunity is created, the game can grow in places where few ever imagined it possible.
The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase took place from July 26 to August 1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, serving as the first major evaluation camp ahead of the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship. The week featured many of the top under-20 prospects from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland, giving NHL organizations and national team staff an early look at players competing for roster spots.
Sweden put on a masterclass in team defense
Tournament Recap
Sweden (3-2, 9 Points)
Sweden recovered from an 0-2 start against the split U.S. squads to finish the showcase as arguably the tournament’s most complete team. Led by a structured defensive game, the Swedes rattled off three consecutive victories, including a convincing 5-2 win over Finland in their finale. During that three-game run, Sweden surrendered just seven goals while receiving strong performances throughout its lineup.
United States (3-2, 9 Points)
The United States showcased arguably the deepest collection of offensive talent at the event, with American players dominating the scoring leaders. Although the primary U.S. squad suffered setbacks against Finland and Sweden, the Americans closed the showcase in dominant fashion with a 7-2 victory over host Canada, finishing the week on a high note.
Finland (2-3, 6 Points)
Finland battled offensive inconsistency throughout the week, averaging a tournament-low 2.6 goals per game, but remained competitive thanks to disciplined defensive play and outstanding goaltending. The highlight came in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the United States, with their netminder stealing the spotlight.
Canada (1-2, 3 Points)
It was a difficult showcase for Canada on home ice. Aside from a 5-3 win over Finland, the Canadians struggled defensively, allowing an average of five goals per game. The tournament concluded with a disappointing 7-2 loss to the United States, leaving plenty of questions heading into the next phase of World Junior evaluations.
Top Performers
Ethan Wyttenbach (F, USA | Quinnipiac | Calgary Flames Prospect)
Wyttenbach emerged as one of the showcase’s most dangerous offensive players. Skating for multiple U.S. lineups, he produced at an elite level, piling up points with his exceptional vision, creativity, and finishing ability. His offensive instincts consistently put opposing defenses under pressure.
Cole Reschny (C, Canada | Calgary Flames)
One of Canada’s brightest performers, Reschny continued his transition to center with an impressive all-around game. He consistently drove possession through the middle of the ice, handled pressure with confidence, and won battles in traffic while creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Filip Ekberg (RW, Sweden | Carolina Hurricanes)
Ekberg was a driving force behind Sweden’s offensive success, recording three goals and five points while forming a dangerous partnership with Viktor Klingsell. His speed, puck skills, and effectiveness on the power play made him a constant scoring threat.
Patrik Kerkola (G, Finland)
Kerkola delivered one of the showcase’s best individual performances, stopping 34 of 36 shots in Finland’s upset victory over the United States. His calm presence, positioning, and timely saves strengthened his case to become Finland’s starting goaltender for the 2027 World Juniors.
William Håkansson (D, Sweden | Carolina Hurricanes)
Håkansson anchored Sweden’s blue line with a mature, shutdown style of play. At 6-foot-4, he combined size, positioning, and poise under pressure, playing a key role in Sweden’s three-game winning streak while limiting opponents’ scoring chances.
Mikey Berchild (F, USA | USNTDP)
Berchild was one of the Americans’ most dynamic forwards, using elite speed and high-end playmaking ability to consistently create offense. Alongside Wyttenbach, he helped fuel one of the tournament’s most productive attacks and established himself as one of the event’s standout performers.
