For the first time in history, an official women’s para ice hockey World Championship will take place this summer. World Para Ice Hockey announced that the inaugural tournament will take place from August 26-31 in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia.
“This isn’t just about the competition,” Tara Chisholm, Canada’s head coach said in an interview. “It represents the resilience, passion and determination of every woman who has ever got in a sled, fought for ice time, and believed this day would come. It’s a victory for all players and volunteers, over the past two decades, who have given their time, energy, and heart to growing women’s Para ice hockey. Now the next generation will have something they never had – a global stage to showcase their talent and a clear path forward in the sport they love.”
The tournament will feature teams from Canada USA, Australia, Great Britain, and Norway. The sixth team, Team World will also compete with athletes from various nations.
The tournament is a game-changer for the sport. The ultimate goal for the sport is for Paralympics inclusion.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president Andrew Parsons sees the step of launching a formal World Championship as critical.
“It is very important for the Paralympic Movement to have strong female representation, and the evolution of women’s Para ice hockey is a testimony to the transformative and inclusive power of Para sport,” he said.
To date, there’s been only one true international competition in the sport. That event, the Women’s World Challenge, has been held since 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Canada and USA are set to play an exhibition series later this month in Thorold, Ontario.
