Rosters revealed for 2023 Women’s World Challenge

The rosters have been revealed for the Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Challenge, which begins on Thursday (31 August) in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the USA. A total of 69 players will represent Canada, Great Britain, USA and a Team World in the second edition of the event, which is presented by Citi. The ultimate goal is for the event to help expand female participation in the sport and one day add it to the Paralympic Winter Games programme.

Here’s a look at how the teams will be represented in Green Bay.

Canada

Thirteen of the 19 players on Canada’s roster are returning members of the squad that helped it win a silver medal at last year’s inaugural Women’s World Challenge. The dynamic duo of Raphaelle Tousignant and Alannah Mah returns at the forward position, while two of Canada’s three goaltenders are new to the roster: Marie Eve-Croteau and Jessie Gregory. The Canadians will once again be coached by Tara Chisholm. 

Forwards: Hadley Frittenburg, Raphaelle Tousignant, Sheena Darnley, Aubree Clements, Vanessa Racine, Hailey King, Alanna Mah, Myriam Adam, Alyssa White. 

Defenders: Mackenzie Spong, Alicia Souvent, Emilie Charron-Pilotte, Claire Buchanan, Peggy Assinck, Meghan Harris, Hailey Halik.

Goaltenders: Marie-Eve Croteau, Tracey Arnold, Jessie Gregory.

Great Britain

Aside from Rae Davis, all members of Great Britain’s roster from the last edition of the event will return to Green Bay. Four of those athletes — goaltender Jodi Hill, defender Leanne Emmerson, and forwards Dani  Czernuszka-Watts and Stacy Quirk — were all part of Great Britain’s squad at the World Championships C-Pool last year, where the they won gold. Ian Offers returns as head coach for Great Britain. 

Forwards: Felicity Elizabeth Anne Gregory, Freya Alice Levy, Shannon Marie Couch, Stacey Quirk, Dani Czernuszka-Watts, Emily Louis McLean.

Defenders: Leanne Emmerson, Alysha Tracy Anne Atkinson, Nicola Claire Terrell, Sarah Louise Hope, Helene Louis McGivern.

Goaltenders: Nicole Jodi Hill, Susi Rogers-Hartley.

United States

The defending champions USA will be without former team captain Erica McKee, and instead will welcome two newcomers in U.S. Army veteran Rebecca Mann and a third goaltender in Hope Bevilhymer. The United States will have five players under age 20, showcasing the athlete development pipeline in the nation, and will be coached again by Rose Misiewicz.

Forwards: Kelsey Lee Diclaudio, Sarah Bettencourt, Jamie Benassi, Kaden Herchenroether, Brianna Atkins, Rachel Grusse, Madeleine Gallagher, Catherine Faherty, Rebecca Mann, Lera Doederlein, Katie Ladlie.

Defenders: Chloe Kirkpatrick, Robyn Hill, Christy Gardner, Monica Quimby.

Goaltenders: Hope Magelky, Gabby Graves-Wake, Hope Bevilhymer.

Team World 

The 18 players representing Team World will come from 12 different countries — an increase of five more countries from last year’s event. France, Latvia, Czech Republic, Germany, Armenia and Vietnam will all have athletes competing for the first time. Espen Hegde, a long-time coach and manager for Norway’s national team, will coach the squad for a second consecutive year.

Forwards: Solvei Harila Skjold, Sanna Koivusalo, Anne Buisson, Dina Grinberga, Anna Springlova, Meika Fujiwara, Caroline Persson, Amanda Fanizza, Isabelle Hogness.

Defenders: Lena Schroeder, Ailin Zheng, Tuyet Yurczyszyn, Rachel Steffen.

Goaltenders: Meranda Reast, Élisabeth Bisaillon, Lynsey Warne.

The second edition of the Women's World Challenge will be streamed live on the Green Bay 2023 website and World Para Ice Hockey Facebook page. 

More information and complete schedule and results can be found here.