Finland's Jenni Hiirikoski is looking to become the first woman to play 100 Women's Worlds games.
The Women’s World Championship is back, in a new time slot on the IIHF calendar of events, and the ten teams will feature many new faces as the women begin another Olympic cycle. But there are also several well-established returning players who are hoping to make a name for themselves in the history books. Here are some notable records to watch for in Herning.
Hiirikoski's Tournaments
Finland’s captain, 39-year-old Jenni Hiirikoski, can extend her record of Women’s Worlds participation when she steps on the ice for a game. It will mark her 17th WW, one ahead of American Hilary Knight, who is, in her own right, a one-woman wrecking crew of the IIHF Guide & Record Book.
Knight's Medals & Scoring
Knight has 15 WW medals (10 gold, also a record, and 5 silver) two more than Marie-Philip Poulin (CAN--4 gold, 8 silver, bronze) and Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN--7 gold, 6 silver). And, every time the 37-year-old Knight is involved in a U.S. goal, she will extend her record for goals (67) or assists (53) and points (120). Poulin (50 assists, 89 points) is recovering from knee surgery at age 35 and won’t be playing, so "Captain Clutch" will fall a bit further behind in her chase for Knight at the top.
For assists and points, the only player remotely close to Knight is 34-year-old longtime teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield. KCC has 80 career points, fifth all time, but she is pregnant and won't be in Denmark, so her stats will remain as is for at least another year. Coyne Schofield also has 49 career assists, tied for third with Wickenheiser behind Knight and Poulin, but this number will also remain the same.
Jenni's Games & Medals
Hiirikoski is well ahead of Knight in another category—most WW games played. The Finn is at 96 and is positioned to become the first ever women to hit 100, while Knight is second with 87. Third is Hiirikoski’s teammate, Michelle Karvinen, at 74, and Karvinen, too, could also move up this year in the pursuit to reach 100.
Hiirikoski is also the top European for medals. She has nine—one silver and eight bronze. All other players with nine or more are North American. If she gets a tenth, she will be only the 13th player to reach double digits in podium finishes.
Goalies Reaching for the Top
In goal, there are two 'tenders to watch—Klara Peslarova (CZE) and Ann-Renee Desbiens (CAN).
Peslarova, only 29 years old, has played in 40 WW games over her career, only four behind all-time leader Florence Schelling. All things being equal, Peslarova will become number one in Herning. Along the way, she will also break Schelling’s minutes-played record. The Swiss Hall of Famer has 2,578:35 to her credit, and Peslarova is only about 230 behind at 2,347:22.
Peslarova is tied with Schelling with 21 wins, second only to Desbiens. In all likelihood, the Canadian will add to her total in Denmark, but Peslarova can move into second place on her own with one more win. Desbiens, 32, is also second all time with eight shutouts, well behind Kim St. Pierre (CAN, 13). Peslarova is one behind Desbiens with seven, so the possibility exists both will move a little closer to St. Pierre over the course of this year’s WW.
It’s an exciting time for the teams as they chase a medal or desired overall placing, but for individual players, there are also opportunities to leave Herning with a little piece of history.
Hiirikoski's Tournaments
Finland’s captain, 39-year-old Jenni Hiirikoski, can extend her record of Women’s Worlds participation when she steps on the ice for a game. It will mark her 17th WW, one ahead of American Hilary Knight, who is, in her own right, a one-woman wrecking crew of the IIHF Guide & Record Book.
Knight's Medals & Scoring
Knight has 15 WW medals (10 gold, also a record, and 5 silver) two more than Marie-Philip Poulin (CAN--4 gold, 8 silver, bronze) and Hayley Wickenheiser (CAN--7 gold, 6 silver). And, every time the 37-year-old Knight is involved in a U.S. goal, she will extend her record for goals (67) or assists (53) and points (120). Poulin (50 assists, 89 points) is recovering from knee surgery at age 35 and won’t be playing, so "Captain Clutch" will fall a bit further behind in her chase for Knight at the top.
For assists and points, the only player remotely close to Knight is 34-year-old longtime teammate Kendall Coyne Schofield. KCC has 80 career points, fifth all time, but she is pregnant and won't be in Denmark, so her stats will remain as is for at least another year. Coyne Schofield also has 49 career assists, tied for third with Wickenheiser behind Knight and Poulin, but this number will also remain the same.
Jenni's Games & Medals
Hiirikoski is well ahead of Knight in another category—most WW games played. The Finn is at 96 and is positioned to become the first ever women to hit 100, while Knight is second with 87. Third is Hiirikoski’s teammate, Michelle Karvinen, at 74, and Karvinen, too, could also move up this year in the pursuit to reach 100.
Hiirikoski is also the top European for medals. She has nine—one silver and eight bronze. All other players with nine or more are North American. If she gets a tenth, she will be only the 13th player to reach double digits in podium finishes.
Goalies Reaching for the Top
In goal, there are two 'tenders to watch—Klara Peslarova (CZE) and Ann-Renee Desbiens (CAN).
Peslarova, only 29 years old, has played in 40 WW games over her career, only four behind all-time leader Florence Schelling. All things being equal, Peslarova will become number one in Herning. Along the way, she will also break Schelling’s minutes-played record. The Swiss Hall of Famer has 2,578:35 to her credit, and Peslarova is only about 230 behind at 2,347:22.
Peslarova is tied with Schelling with 21 wins, second only to Desbiens. In all likelihood, the Canadian will add to her total in Denmark, but Peslarova can move into second place on her own with one more win. Desbiens, 32, is also second all time with eight shutouts, well behind Kim St. Pierre (CAN, 13). Peslarova is one behind Desbiens with seven, so the possibility exists both will move a little closer to St. Pierre over the course of this year’s WW.
It’s an exciting time for the teams as they chase a medal or desired overall placing, but for individual players, there are also opportunities to leave Herning with a little piece of history.