Tag: Women’s Hockey

Swiss Hockey Enters New Era with Berra’s Retirement and Miller’s Appointment

Swiss Ice Hockey is ushering in a new chapter for its national programs, as longtime goaltender Reto Berra has retired from international competition while the women’s national team welcomes a new head coach.

A new chapter for Swiss hockey: Celebrating Reto Berra’s legendary 15-year career while welcoming Shannon Miller as the new head coach of the women’s national team.


Berra Calls Time on International Career

After more than a decade representing Switzerland on the international stage, veteran netminder Reto Berra has announced his retirement from the national team following the 2026 IIHF World Championship.

The 39-year-old described the tournament as the “perfect ending” to his international career, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable run that included three Olympic Winter Games and 12 IIHF World Championships.

The 39-year-old described the tournament as the “perfect ending” to his international career, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable run that included three Olympic Winter Games and 12 IIHF World Championships.

Since making his debut during the 2010-11 season, Berra appeared in 15 major international tournaments and played a key role in helping Switzerland earn four World Championship silver medals. He said the decision was motivated by the physical demands of the game and his desire to create opportunities for the next generation of Swiss goaltenders.

Miller to Lead Swiss Women’s Program

Meanwhile, Swiss Ice Hockey has named Canadian coach Shannon Miller as the new head coach of the women’s national team.

Miller has signed a contract through the summer of 2029 and will officially begin her tenure on August 1. One of the most accomplished coaches in women’s hockey, she is best known for leading the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 1999 to 2015, building one of the sport’s premier collegiate programs.

Melanie Häfliger, Head of Women’s Hockey at Swiss Ice Hockey, praised Miller’s appointment, highlighting her international experience, championship pedigree, and proven ability to develop successful teams over the long term.

With one respected veteran stepping away and an accomplished coach taking over behind the bench, Swiss hockey begins a new chapter focused on building for the future.

Poland Triumphant in Bled: 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division II Group A Recap

The 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division II, Group A concluded on April 18 in Bled, Slovenia. Poland dominated the tournament to secure the gold medal and earn promotion to Division I, Group B for 2027.

Champions in Bled: Pure joy on the ice as Poland secures gold.

Final Standings

RankTeamRecord (W-OTW-OTL-L)PointsStatus
1Poland4-0-0-012Promoted
2Slovenia2-0-0-26Stay
3Chinese Taipei0-2-0-24Stay
4Australia1-0-1-24Stay
5Iceland1-0-1-24Relegated

Tournament Highlights

  • Poland’s Perfection: Poland finished the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record, outscoring their opponents 23–2. Their victory was capped off by a 2–0 win over the host nation, Slovenia, in the final game.

  • The Battle for Bronze: In a dramatic final-day matchup, Chinese Taipei defeated Iceland 4–3 in a shootout to secure the bronze medal. This result triggered a three-way tie at 4 points between Chinese Taipei, Australia, and Iceland, with Iceland ultimately finishing last due to head-to-head tiebreakers.

  • Slovenia’s Host Performance: Despite the loss to Poland, the Slovenians secured silver on home ice, highlighted by a high-scoring 6–3 victory over Chinese Taipei and a gritty 5–3 win against Australia.

Directorate Awards

  • Best Goalkeeper: Hsu Tzu-Ting (Chinese Taipei) – Posted a 95.74% save percentage and was instrumental in two shootout victories.

  • Best Defender: Lea Buljeta (Slovenia) – Recognized for her defensive leadership and contribution to the host team’s silver medal run.

  • Best Forward: Karolina Późniewska (Poland) – The tournament’s offensive engine, leading all players with 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in just 4 games.

Statistical Leaders

  • Top Scorer: Karolina Późniewska (Poland) – 13 points

  • Top Goal Scorer: Karolina Późniewska (Poland) – 8 goals

  • Top Assist Leader: Dominika Korkuz (Poland) – 8 assists

  • Best GAA: Nadia Ratajczyk (Poland) – 0.38 goals-against average with a 97.96% save percentage.

Japan Win The First IIHF Asia Women’s Championship

Japan has emerged as the leading force in the inaugural Women’s Asia Championship. Their performance throughout the tournament has showcased their exceptional skills and strategic prowess, establishing them as a formidable presence in women’s Ice Hockey across the continent.

Japan Win The First IIHF Asia Women’s Championship.

In the opening match, Game One, Japan achieved a resounding victory over Korea with a score of 12-0. Following this, Kazakhstan faced Japan and suffered a significant defeat, ending the match at 8-0 in favor of the Japanese team.

Subsequently, Japan faced China in a highly anticipated tournament clash. Both teams had previously recorded shutout victories against Kazakhstan and Korea, setting the stage for a competitive encounter.

Ultimately, Japan emerged triumphant in this pivotal match against China, securing a decisive 5-0 win and further solidifying their dominance in the tournament.

The scoring for Japan was primarily influenced by athletes who have participated in World Championships. Rui Ukita, a seasoned competitor with three Olympic appearances, was the standout performer in Beijing, accumulating a total of eight points (four goals and four assists). He was closely followed by Sato, who recorded one goal and six assists, and forward Rio Noro, who contributed three goals and four assists to the team’s efforts.

Rio Noro’s offensive performance was complemented by her twin sister, Riri, who also made her mark by scoring a goal and providing an assist. The contributions from these players were crucial in establishing Japan’s scoring prowess during the competition. Additionally, other well-known athletes such as Kanami Seki and Yoshino Enomoto each added five points to the team’s overall tally, further showcasing the depth of talent within the squad.

The collective experience and skill of these players were instrumental in Japan’s performance, highlighting the importance of seasoned athletes in high-stakes tournaments. Their ability to work together and leverage their individual strengths played a significant role in the team’s success, demonstrating the value of experience in competitive sports. As Japan continues to build on this foundation, the contributions of these players will undoubtedly remain vital in future competitions.

Kazakhstan has secured the bronze medal

An engaging contest unfolded for the third-place position between Kazakhstan and Korea. Both teams had previously struggled to find the back of the net in their earlier matches, yet on Sunday morning, they delivered an exhilarating performance that culminated in a 4-4 draw.

The match showcased the determination and skill of both sides, as they fought fiercely for the coveted third place. Despite their earlier challenges in scoring, the players demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity, resulting in a thrilling encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats

Ultimately, Kazakhstan emerged victorious in the shootout that followed the tie, securing their place on the podium. This decisive moment highlighted the intensity of the competition and the significance of perseverance in achieving success in high-stakes situations.

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