Eight teams have qualified for women’s hockey at the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.  

• Pool A consists of four teams; the top two will advance to the semifinals and the other two will be placed in the quarterfinals.  

• Pool B also consists of four teams, two of which will advance to the quarterfinals.

POOL A

United States
Top Players
• The United States’ leading scorer from Sochi returns in Kendall Coyne.  Also won the 2016 Patty Kazmaier Award.
• With 3 goals and 9 assists, Brianna Decker was named MVP in April when the Americans won the World Championship.  She has also been a standout in CWHL & NWHL professional leagues.
• Just 5-1, Cayla Barnes is being fast-tracked onto the national team after standing out at U18 Worlds.  Just turned 19 on Jan. 7. 

On-Ice Forecast
Emphasizing puck possession while frequently playing back into their own zone will work well on the large Olympic sheet.  Carrying an enormous monkey on the back no matter how many times they beat Canada in lesser events due to the past four Olympic Games and late third period debacle from Sochi.  There is incredible self-imposed pressure from USA Hockey’s obsession on winning gold. As team leader Hilary Knight says, “It’s gold or bust for us.”

Tidbit
Amanda Kessel’s brother, Phil, is a two-time Olympian. Both have a silver medal, him from Vancouver and her from Sochi. Another brother, Blake, is in his seventh year of a minor pro career.

Canada
Top Players
• Marie-Philip Poulin is considered by some to be the best player in the world. Her heroics with two goals in each of the last two gold medal games cements her legacy.
• Policewoman Meghan Agosta has been part of the last three gold medal teams and was named tournament MVP in 2010. Sutton-Youngblood type chemistry with Poulin during Four Nations Cup in November.
• A broken hand kept her off the 2010 Olympic roster, and she was a mere bit player in 2014, but now big forward Jennifer Wakefield poses a matchup challenge to the U.S.

On-Ice Forecast
Have never failed to finish first or second in an Olympics or World Championship, and it will be a shock if it happens here. Will look to use superior size and a dynamic power play to overcome speed in games against the Americans.  Results of pre-Olympic tune-up contests with the Americans have been mixed.

Tidbit
Preparation during Olympic years involves residency in Alberta and playing games that count in standings of the provincial AAA Midget Hockey League.

Finland
Top Players
• Jenni Hiirikoski has been named Best Defender at the World Championships six times.
• Former Gopher Noora Räty was in goal for two NCAA championship seasons and has been named Best Goalie at Worlds four times.
• Just 18 years old, Petra Nieminen appears to be a star on the world level for many years to come.

On-Ice Forecast
The clear world No. 3, equally situated between the North American teams and the other medal hopefuls. Capable of pulling an upset, as they did beating Canada in a pool game at Worlds last April. Shutouts over Sweden (4-0) and Germany (8-0) secured third place, further indication of their prowess when things go well. All that said, a very disappointing finish at the last Games in Sochi reminds that nothing is a given.

Tidbit
Mira Jalosuo calls the Twin Cities home after attending the University of Minnesota and will return from Korea to lead the New Generation AAA program for girls who aspire to play college hockey.

Olympic Athletes from Russia
Top Players
• Fanuza Kadirova is just 19 and has already competed in three World Championships, scoring three goals in Michigan last April.  • Nadezhda Alexandrova played very well in goal at 2017 Worlds, even entering their last game trailing 2-0 and turning the tide for a 4-3 shootout win over Sweden.
• Yelena Dergachyova is a small forward that impressed at the 2017 World Championship after being kept off the game sheet in Sochi.

On-Ice Forecast
The good news is they earned bronze at Worlds in 2013 & 2016, and have risen to their highest IIHF ranking. Bad news is that their position in Pool A, while giving them an automatic berth in the quarterfinals, also means three pool games where they’ll be heavy underdogs. Even worse news is they’ll move forward without three players, including captain Anna Shibanova, among the six banned for life by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Dec. 12, over doping violations. Also punished were Yekaterina Smolentseva, who was set to suit up for her fifth Olympic Games at age 36, and Galina Skiba. 

Tidbit
Will compete under a neutral banner without officially representing Russia, as the IOC ruled on Dec. 5, to sanction the country for violations from 2014 in Sochi.

POOL B

Sweden
Top Players
• In 2006, Pernilla Winberg scored a game-winning shootout goal as a 16-year-old when Sweden upset the United States to earn silver. She remains a top player.
• Johanna Fallman recorded four goals in five games at 2017 Worlds, tops on the team even though she plays defense.
• Maja-Nyhlen Persson is just 17 years old, already used in heavy rotation and likely a fixture of the Lady Crowns for years to come.

On-Ice Forecast
A decade ago, they were a solid No. 3 with finishes in the Olympics and at the World Championships to prove it. Today they have fallen at least a rung below the Finns and enter as medal longshots like Russia and Switzerland.

Tidbit
The Rookie of the Year for Minnesota State’s 2007-08 team was Emilia Ramboldt, now a veteran blueliner and the Swedish team captain.  

Switzerland
Top Players
• Lara Stalder completed her UMD Bulldog career and notched an impressive 9 points in 6 games at Worlds in April. This will be her second Olympics.
• The youngest player to ever win an ice hockey medal is Alina Muller, who was just 15 in Sochi when she scored the game-winner against Sweden for bronze.
• Florence Schelling made 252 saves to be named MVP and Best Goaltender at her third Olympic Games in Sochi. She has also played professionally in the Men’s Swiss B league.

On-Ice Forecast
A bit of a wild card arriving with a low world rank despite having some of the most talented young players in the world. The Swiss should earn a quarterfinal spot and exit Pool B with some good momentum. A medal repeat is unlikely, but not impossible.

Tidbit
The team is called Eisgenossen, which translates to Enjoyed Ice.

Japan
Top Players
• Ayaka Toko was named Best Defender at the second division of IIHF World Championship.
• Chiho Osawa was named to the All Tournament Team at Worlds.
• Nana Fujimoto is an elite netminder that played for the New York Riveters of the NWHL, making it to the league’s All-Star Game in 2016.

On-Ice Forecast
Hosted the Olympics when women’s ice hockey was first contested. A surprise qualifier for Sochi, where they were darlings after giving vastly superior opponents one-goal games. A longshot to advance, but could spoil Swiss and Swede medal hopes.

Tidbit
No player over 5-6 was on their roster for Worlds in April. Several players also on a club team named Seibu Princess Rabbits.

Korea
Top Players
• Do Hee Han was named Best Goalkeeper for the fourth division of the IIHF World Championship.
• Jongah Park tallied 10 points on 4 goals and 6 assists at Worlds.
• Suyeon Eom has been able to generate points from defense against lesser competition.

On-Ice Forecast
Participating as host nation, a win or a tie in any game will be considered a roaring success. A more realistic goal is using these Olympics as a launching pad that increases participation for the next wave of players.

Tidbit
Park Yoon-jung is also known as Marissa Brandt, sister of Team USA’s Hannah.