Dolny Kubin 2025: Get to know USA

The inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships will take place from 26-31 August in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia with six teams competing for gold. Hosted by the National Paralympic Committee of Slovakia at the Dolny Kubin Winter Stadium, the tournament will feature an all-women’s officiating crew, and games will be streamed live on the Paralympic YouTube channel. 

Group A will feature the USA, Norway and Australia, with Group B includes Canada, Great Britain and Team World, a squad composed of players from multiple nationalities. Following the round-robin stage, group winners will meet the runners-up from the opposite group in the semifinals on 30 August, with the medal games slated for 31 August.

Background

A dominant force and pioneer in the sport, Team USA enters the World Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships as the heavy favourite and the most experienced programme in the tournament. 
With three consecutive Women’s World Challenge titles (2022, 2023, 2024), the United States has consistently set the standard for excellence in women’s Para ice hockey.

Backed by a deep roster of returning stars and rising talent including top scoring threat Kelsey Lee DiClaudio and dual-sport athlete Lera Doederlein, the Americans bring the most speed and structure to the ice of any team.

Roster Breakdown

Forwards: Kelsey Lee DiClaudio, Katie Ladlie, Jamie Benassi, Kaden Herchenroether, Rachel Steffen, Rachel Grusse, Madeleine Gallagher, Catherine Faherty, Madison Eberhard, Lera Doederlein, Rebecca Mann
Defenders: Robynne Hill, Chloe Kirkpatrick, Ai Lin Zheng, Monica Quimby, Erica McKee
Goalkeepers: Hope Magelky, Gabby Graves-Wake
Head Coach: Rose Misiewicz

Athlete to Watch

Kelsey DiClaudio has long been one of the most recognisable names in women’s Para ice hockey and remains the heartbeat of Team USA. A dynamic forward with elite-level speed, vision, and puck control, DiClaudio was the first woman to compete on a U.S. men’s national team and has since become a cornerstone of the women's programme. Her ability to create offense out of tight spaces and perform in high-pressure moments makes her a game-changer in any matchup. As one of the original leaders of the U.S. women's movement in Para ice hockey, her presence in Slovakia symbolises how far the sport has come.

Matchup to Watch

A highly anticipated clash between the USA and Canada is shaping up to be a classic rivalry battle. After multiple tightly contested finals in previous Women’s World Challenges, these two programmes know each other well, and both are hungry for the first-ever official world championship title. While it’s not set in stone yet as a matchup, it’s likely to be the gold-medal game we see, which will be a crucial test of execution, endurance, and mental toughness.

Round-Robin Game Schedule

Tuesday, 26 August — 16:00 vs. Australia
Thursday, 28 August — 16:00 vs. Norway