Jessheim 2025: Norway’s Path to Milano Cortina

When the puck drops at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Paralympic Winter Games Qualification Tournament, six teams will skate for the final two slots up for grabs at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Taking place in Jessheim, Norway from 5-10 November, the tournament will feature: Slovakia, Korea, Norway, Japan, Sweden and Kazakhstan. 

The USA, Canada, Czechia, China and Germany have already secured their tickets to join hosts Italy at the Paralympic Winter Games by finishing in the top five at the A-Pool Worlds. 

Here’s an inside look at Team Norway heading into the Qualification Tournament. 

How they got here

Norway enters the Qualification Tournament as both host nation and a proud traditional powerhouse of Para ice hockey. After finishing eighth at the 2025 World Championships A-Pool, Norway missed out on automatic qualification for Milano Cortina 2026. 

However, their consistent presence among the world’s top teams and deep experience in high-stakes tournaments make them one of the favorites to secure a qualification spot on home ice.

Winter Games history

Norway has a storied history in Paralympic Para ice hockey. A founding force in sport, the team has competed in almost every Paralympic Winter Games since its inclusion in 1994, capturing three medals, including gold at Lillehammer 1994, silver at Nagano 1998, and bronze at Salt Lake City 2002. 

In the decades since, Norway has remained a respected and competitive presence internationally. While the program has evolved through new generations, the team continues to embody the same values that defined its early success: determination, sportsmanship, and pride in representing Norway on the world stage.

Take note — it’s the road to @milanocortina2026 over five days of competition! ⚡️

The tournament schedule is just below 🧵#ParaIceHockey #Jessheim2025 pic.twitter.com/Na93Z7oW3P

— Para Ice Hockey (@paraicehockey) October 27, 2025

Roster

Forwards: Martin Hamre, Ola Onset, Alexander Lyngroth, Emil Vatne, Fabian Cruickshank Oeverli, Morten Vaernes, Emil Kristoffersen, Loyd Remi Pallander, Emil Kirstistuen, Rolf Einar Pedersen

Defenders: Audun Bakke, Knut Andre Nordstoga, Viktor Kronberg, Martin Bakkejord Skolbekken

Goaltenders: Andreas Sundt, Erik Haugen

Head Coach: Frikk Juell

Keys to Victory 

To secure one of the two coveted Paralympic berths, Norway will need to capitalize on home-ice advantage, feeding off the energy of the local crowd in Jessheim. Special team efficiency, maintaining composure in pressure situations, and converting scoring opportunities will be critical. 

Expect the Norwegians to lean on their experience and physical play to dictate the tempo against faster opponents.

Game Schedule 

Wednesday, 5 November @ 19:00 vs. Sweden
Thursday, 6 November @ 19:00 vs. Korea
Friday, 7 November @ 19:00 vs. Slovakia
Sunday, 9 November @ 19:00 vs. Japan
Monday, 10 November @ 19:00 vs. Kazakhstan