Iihf women's hockey – Page 2

by Storie Serres | 26 NOV 2021

The 2020/2021 season has been difficult for many. Leagues have started and stopped; the risk of a Covid outbreak has added a layer of organizational, mental, and physical challenges. Players at the top of their game have had to rethink their training plans and strategies, all while lacing up their skates for their country and working to be the best.

Our athlete ambassadors weigh in on the women’s hockey season that was a reflect on the strength and resiliency of players as they prepare for what’s ahead.

Growing up I always followed men’s hockey and until I was 15 years old I did not even know there were any structures for girls or women to play ice hockey. However, ever since then and after traveling the world and playing in the U.S. and Sweden, women´s hockey has come a long way and has an even longer way to go. Right now is the time for us to be pioneers and have a voice in society to create structures and opportunities for the next generations of girls that love the game as much as I do. The women’s movement never stops and future girls and women have to get equal opportunities to follow their passion. The women’s hockey family is in this together. It makes it very special to fight for a bigger cause alongside other men and women in this world that want to make a difference in society, no matter where anyone is from.

Growing up a hockey-crazy girl, I always followed men’s ice hockey. Until I turned 15, I didn’t even know that there were special structures for girls or women who play ice hockey. However, since I’ve traveled the world and played in the US and Sweden, women’s ice hockey has made a big positive change, but it still has a long way to go. Now is the time for us pioneers to be aware of our role and have a voice in society to create structures and opportunities for the next generations of girls who love the game as much as we do. The women’s movement never stops and future girls and women must be given equal opportunities to follow their passions. The women’s hockey family stands together.

It has been a difficult time and year for us all over the world, but for me it’s been a year of focusing on what I can do mentally and physically towards the Olympics.

I believe and hope that our ambition to succeed at the Olympics will give Spirit and Power to the People Watching.

with Only a Few Months Left, I Hope to be Well Prepared for What’S Up Ahead.

but is day-to-day that serious situation is followed all over the world, can be of their own toward the big goal of the Olympic Games It was a year of concentrating on.

I believe that our success will be the energy and power of many people, and I would like to prepare well for the Olympics.

The pandemic’s travel restrictions the past few years took a real big hit for our team. However, we were recently able to play some international games over in Europe. We were grateful, excited, and so happy to get some international games under our belts!

There’s only a few months left until the Beijing Olympics, and we’re eager to show the world what Team Japan can do!

not go to overseas expedition, was a very tough two years that can not gain experience of precious international matches But lately, I’ve been able to go on an expedition to Europe, and I’m full of joy and gratitude for being able to play a match!

We will do our best to show our strength for the remaining two months until the Beijing Olympics!

by Storie Serres|19 NOV 2021 IIHF

In 2019 the world watched as Finland and USA battled in the final of the IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Espoo, Finland.

Taking place inside a sold-out arena, and with 2.3 million viewers in Finland alone who watched some of the greatest players compete from start to finish, this tournament inspired a new generation of girls to pick up a hockey stick for the first time.

In a new partnership with players from Finland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Russia, and Japan, the IIHF is launching a ambassador program aimed at telling the story of some of the world’s top female players and aim to “Inspire The Next”.

Women’s hockey has seen saw an 19% rise in popularity between 2011-2019.

More girls are getting into the sport, and the promotion of Hungary and Denmark at the 2021 Women’s World Championships and the historic Olympic qualification of the Danes and the Czech Republic serves to support that a new era with new horizons for women’s hockey is upon us.

But the story of women’s hockey is more than what’s on the ice.

Female players juggle school, work, and family life, all while working for a roster spot on their respective Olympic national teams.

In the lead-up to the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, the IIHF will be showcasing from the athletes’ perspective what it takes to battle for an Olympic roster spot.

From Instagram Takeovers, TikTok videos, articles, and special features, get to know the women’s hockey ambassadors from through own voice as they take you into their world and towards the Olympics.

Players from the qualified teams will be showcased, and include past Olympians Ronja Savolainen (Finland), Petra Neimenen (Finland), Lara Stalder (Switzerland), Akane Hosoyamada (Japan), Chiho Osawa (Japan), Alexandra Vafina (ROC) and Olympic hopefuls Lena-Marie Lutz (Switzerland) and Samantha Kolowrat (Czech Republic).

Follow the IIHF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok as these ambassadors of women’s hockey showcase their journey to the world’s biggest stage; The Beijing Olympics.

Fans can also use the hashtags #IIHF and #InspireTheNext to join the social conversation and engage with the ambassador program.