They say that you never forget the first time that you step on the ice in your country’s jersey. For 49 athletes in Herning and Frederikshavn, the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship is the first time they have competed at a senior World Championship. While many of these players have played internationally at the U18 level, and some were even at the Beijing Olympics earlier this year, playing in a senior World Championship is still a significant milestone in an athlete’s career.

Sweden boasts the most players new to the senior Worlds with 13, although eight were in Beijing. All three Swedish goalies – Emma Soderberg, Ida Boman and Ellen Jonsson – are new to this tournament. Canada on the other hand has the fewest rookies, with just one, Jessie Eldridge. 

Here are the rookies from each team making a name for themselves at the halfway mark of the preliminary round.

Canada - Jessie Eldridge 

A 2018/19 Patty Kazmaier Finalist from Colgate University, Eldridge has been on Canada’s radar for a while, finally cracking their roster this season. Playing on Canada’s second line with Sarah Potomak and Sarah Fillier – the prolific 22-year-old goal scorer who had a breakthrough performance in Beijing with eight goals – Eldridge led Canada in shots on goal in their first game against Finland. The trio’s chemistry is becoming increasingly evident, with Eldridge working together with Potomack to create scoring opportunities for Fillier.

USA - Taylor Heise

A triple U18 gold medallist, Heise is leading the tournament in assists with six through two games, which also puts her in second for scoring. The 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award winner is centering the Americans’ second line, with Amanda Kessel and Alex Carpenter on the wings. She is known not just for scoring (and scoring a lot, and in big games), but for elevating the play of those around her. Five of Heise’s assists came in her first game against Japan, each supporting a different goal scorer: Carpenter, Kessel, Hannah Bilka, Hayley Scamurra and Caroline Harvey.

Finland - Sanni Rantala 

Rantala got her feet wet winning bronze at the Olympics earlier this year, and is a top-four defender for Finland, playing alongside Nelli Laitinen (a promotion from Beijing, where Rantala and Laitinen were Finland's third set of defence). The 20-year-old won Finland’s Naisten Liiga this year with Kiekko-Espoo and was named to the First All-Star Team. This tournament is just the tip of the iceberg for Rantala, who is poised to become one of Finland’s next great defenders.

Switzerland - Alessia Baechler 

The Swiss have just two rookies, goalie Alexandra Lehmann and defender Alessia Baechler. Turning 17 in just over a week, Baechler was second in scoring for Switzerland at the U18 Women’s World Championship earlier this year. She contributed one goal and two assists in Switzerland’s final game of that tournament, a 7-3 win over Germany that ensured that Switzerland would avoid relegation. She’s seen a decent amount of ice time here in Herning, playing with another young defender, Lara Christen, and earning starting line up appearances in both of Switzerland’s games.

Japan - Miyuu Masuhara 

While named to the Japanese roster for the 2022 Olympics, Masuhara didn’t dress for any games. She saw some playing time at the 2016 U18 Women’s World Championship Division I tournament, playing the last few minutes in two shutouts for Japan, but is now being given some opportunities to shine in Herning. Relieving starter Akane Konishi in the second period of Japan’s opener against the United States, Masuhara made 30 saves, allowing three goals in an eventual 10-0 loss. Masuhara then started Japan’s second game, a 3-1 loss to Switzerland in which she made 17 saves. 

Czechia - Adela Sapovalivova

We can’t not talk about Sapovalivova. The youngest player in the tournament, Sapovalivova has found great success on Czechia’s top line with Katerina Mrazova and Natalie Mlynkova. She had a three point game to open the tournament, scoring twice in her debut against Hungary. While she didn’t get on the scoreboard against Denmark, she was on the ice for three of Czechia’s five goals, using her speed and smarts to help create opportunities for her teammates. She has seen ample amount of time on the power play as well, often parking herself in front of the opposing team’s goaltender. 

Sweden - Mira Jungaker 

Junagaker competed in her first U18 World Championship earlier this year, quickly making the jump to the senior national team. The 17-year-old has averaged over 18 minutes of ice time each game, playing alongside Mina Waxin. She’s been playing full time in the SDHL with HV71 since she was 15, and plays a mature and composed game. She didn’t see any OT ice time on Saturday, but scored the second of Sweden’s two shootout goals in their win over Germany. 

Hungary - Hayley Williams 

The oldest rookie in Denmark at age 32, Williams joined the Hungarian national team program in 2020-21. Centering Reka Dabasi and Zsofia Pazmandi, the only Hungarian forward with more ice time than Williams is Alexandra Huszak. The former NWHL (now PHF) and Russian league All-Star is often deployed on the penalty kill and brings with her a wealth of experience. 

Germany - Luisa and Lilli Welcke 

One of two sets of twins at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, Luisa and Lilli Welcke have lined up on opposite sides of Bernadette Karpf on Germany’s third line and been entrusted with giving the Germans an offensive boost. Known for their scoring prowess in the German women’s league with Mad Dogs Mannheim (in 2021-22, Luisa had 31 points and Lilli had 32), these sensational twins will be playing with the University of Maine this fall. Luisa scored Germany’s first goal of the tournament under two minutes into the first game.

Denmark 

Like Switzerland, Denmark has just two World Championship newcomers, goalie Mille Jensen and forward Natalie Perry. Jensen is Denmark’s third goalie and is unlikely to dress for a game unless Lisa Jensen or Cassandra Repstock-Romme are unable to play. Malmo Redhawks forward Perry has suited up for both games, but has yet to see any ice time.