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Writer's pictureElias Laradi

2023 IIHF Women's Worlds Primer


ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: The Canadian Women's National Team lines up ahead of the game against the U.S. Women's Hockey Team at Honda Center on February 08, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: The Canadian Women's National Team lines up ahead of the game against the U.S. Women's Hockey Team at Honda Center on February 08, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

The 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championships begins today in Brampton, Ont. as Canada gets set to win a third consecutive gold medal. The host will be in Group A with their longtime rivals, the United States, alongside Czechia, Switzerland, and Japan. Group B will feature Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany, and France.


You can find full rosters on the tournament website and EliteProspects.com


Team Canada Storylines

Canada is fresh off coming back to win the Rivalry Series, recovering from a 0-3 deficit to win the next four games for the reverse sweep in dominant fashion.


Natalie Spooner, who has been a key player for Canada in the past, will be back with the team and making her return to action after giving birth to her new son. For Canada, they will rely heavily on team captain Marie-Philip Poulin and Canadian youngster Sarah Fillier.

Canada is the clear favorite to win it all for a third straight time, but in their way is a strong, young American lineup looking for revenge.


Biggest Rival - A Look at Team USA

Regarding the U.S., their players to watch are newly named Captain Hilary Knight and Amanda Kessel, while on defense, their top player is alternate captain Lee Stecklein.

The lone PHF player on the U.S. roster is forward Rebecca Gilmore of the Boston Pride, who played 11 games in her first season finishing with one goal and five assists. A notable omission on the roster for the US is that of Kendall Coyne Schofield, who is expecting her first child.


How to Watch

In Canada, TSN will provide extensive tournament coverage across the country. In the U.S., games can be seen on NHL Network and ESPN +.


Here is a list of places to watch in all 10 participating countries:

  • CANADA: TSN and RDS

  • USA: NHL Network

  • CZECHIA: Czech TV, Tipsports

  • SWITZERLAND: Swiss TV

  • FINLAND: Discovery

  • SWEDEN: SVT

  • GERMANY: Magenta Sport

  • HUNGARY: M4Sport

  • FRANCE: Sport en France and FANSEAT


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