How the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) will change the sport internationally is fueling conversations on the sidelines of the 2024 World Championship.
The tournament in which 10 nations are participating will get underway on Wednesday in Utica, New York. This is the first World Cup since the LPHF, with six clubs, launched its activities on 1er January, in Canada and the United States.
The teams of the United States, reigning champions, and Canada are also dominated by the league’s players, with 30 in total.
“This is one of the first times we’ve been at peak form after playing a full season,” said Canadian forward Sarah Nurse.
“We have a few players who come from the NCAA, but the majority of them come from the LPHF. The level of play, physicality and talent we see in the league will surely have an effect on what we see in the tournament. »
Nine other LPHF players are scattered among the eight other teams, including four within the Czech team.
Canada’s general manager, Gina Kingsbury, and head coach, Troy Ryan, hold the same positions with Toronto in the LPHF. The duo is well placed to estimate the impact the new league will have on this tournament.
“The level that our athletes have been able to maintain is simply remarkable,” noted Kingsbury. We see athletes arriving at camp more ready for that tournament or for the Rivalry Series, but also more tired.
“This league could have a big impact on our success on the international stage if we stay on top of the changes that need to be made and maximize the opportunities this league provides us, including daily training at a much higher level than we had previously. in the past. »
A seasoned group for Canada
For Hilary Knight, star of Boston and the United States, having played 19 matches before appearing at the World Cup will be of great advantage.
“Before, you had to create your own training camp. Now we have this on a daily basis,” Knight said. It’s different this time. We are in the middle of a rigorous season and we will dive back into that environment once the tournament is over. »
Canada will count on a seasoned group, including attackers Marie-Philip Poulin, Brianne Jenner and Nurse. The Americans will focus more on youth. Ten Canadians are or will be 330 this season, compared to five for the Americans.
“This is the best group we could put together and we have full confidence in this team,” assured Kingsbury.
The series of successes of Canada, champion of the 2021 and 2022 Worlds as well as the 2022 Olympics, ended with a 6-3 defeat in the final of the last Worlds, in front of the Americans.
In addition to the two giants, the Czech Republic, bronze medalist at the 2023 World Cup, Switzerland and Finland are the top five seeds, grouped in Group A. Canada will also launch its tournament against Finland on Thursday.
“Part of me thinks that the 2024 World Cup will offer greater parity than other editions, in part because some leagues in Europe are progressing,” Ryan said. […] On the other hand, some nations could have a difficult tournament because the players playing in these leagues are literally in great shape right now. »
Sweden, Japan, Germany, Denmark and China are ranked sixth at 10e and will be from Group B. The five teams from Group A and the top three from Group B will advance to the group stage.
The IIHF continues to ban Russia from all international competition due to its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
The LPHF has put its activities on hold during the World Championship, which concludes on April 14.
In 22 appearances, Canada has won 12 gold medals and played in every final except 2019, when it won bronze.