The 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship will take place January 6-14, 2024 in Zug, Switzerland. Scroll for an inside look at Team USA's journey!
January 14 | WORLD CHAMPIONS!
HIGHLIGHTS
ZUG, Switzerland – The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Czechia, 5-1, here tonight in the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship at Bossard Arena. It marks the ninth gold medal for the United States in the tournament all time.
“It is awesome to get the win,” said Liz Keady Norton (Boston, Mass.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “I am really proud of our group. I thought that we worked hard the whole way and so it was nice for them to be rewarded.”
The United States finished the tournament with a 6-0-0-0 record to earn its first gold medal at the tournament since 2020.
PHOTO GALLERY
January 13 | Gold Medal Game Bound!!
HIGHLIGHTS
ZUG, Switzerland – The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team advanced to the gold medal game of the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship, taking down Finland, 4-2, in the semifinals at Bossard Arena on Saturday.
With the victory, Team USA advances to the gold medal game and will face Czechia at 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET) on Sunday (Jan. 14). The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and aired on a tape delay on NHL Network at 7 p.m. ET.
Team USA has made the gold medal game in 15 of the 16 Under-18 Women’s World Championships staged.
GAME PHOTOS
January 12 | A Day Off
With the home stretch of the tournament right around the corner, Team USA had a full day off today. Well deserved after posting back-to-back shutouts over Sweden and Germany, players had the afternoon to hang out with family and explore after a short video session and team walk in the morning.
With it being a slow day, many players took it easy and prepared both mentally and physically for the final weekend of the tournament.
LUCERNE LIGHTS FESTIVAL
While the tournament is being played in Zug, Team USA is staying around 25 minutes away in Lucerne. Over the last weeks, players and staff have noticed light installations being put up all around town, including in the park across the street from the team hotel. Upon asking the hotel staff, it turns out the fifth annual Light Festival Lucerne kicked off this weekend. With numerous laser and light displays sprinkled around town, players and staff explored as night fell.
A team favorite was the display on the famous Chapel Bridge.
ALONG THE BOARDS WITH MARY DERRENBACHER
Throughout the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship journey, we’ll regularly feature fun facts and tidbits about players to help you get to know Team USA. Next up, is Mary Derrenbacher.
NAME: Mary Derrenbacher
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Raleigh, N.C.
MOST RECENT TEAM: Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.)
ON HER FAVORITE AMERICAN HOCKEY PLAYER: “Trevor Zegras. He’s just creative, shifty and does new things.”
ON DESCRIBING HER ON-ICE STYLE: “I’m speedy and a playmaker. I like to pride myself on being a finisher too.”
ON HER FAVORITE YOUTH HOCKEY MEMORY: “I loved playing summer hockey in Boston.”
ON HER PREGAME RITUALS: “I like to play knock out on the basketball court before my games back home.”
January 11 | Team USA Drops Germany, Advances To Semifinals
HIGHLIGHTS
ZUG, Switzerland – Following the team’s second consecutive shutout, the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Germany, 4-0, in the quarterfinal round of the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship at Bossard Arena on Thursday.
With the victory, Team USA advances to the semifinals and will face Finland on Saturday (Jan. 13) at 7 p.m. CET (1 p.m. ET). Team USA has made the semifinals in all 16 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships competed.
GAME PHOTOS
January 10 | U.S. Blanks Sweden, 4-0; Wins Group B
GAME PHOTOS
ZUG, Switzerland – Behind a 28-save shutout from goaltender Layla Hemp (Chanhassen, Minn.), the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team blanked Sweden, 4-0, at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship today at Bossard Arena.
With the victory, Team USA has won Group B with a 3-0-0-0 record and will face Germany in the quarterfinals on Thursday (Jan. 11). Puck drop will be at 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET) and the game will be live on NHL Network.
January 9 | Exploring Switzerland
Following back-to-back games, the team used its well-deserved off day to do some exploring. The entire team and staff took a trip to visit Mt. Titlis, a mountain in the Alps. Besides the jaw-dropping views, players had the opportunity to take the gondolas up to the top of the mountain, which sits at almost 10,623 feet high, a take a walk along the Cliff Walk, a suspension bridge that allows you to walk from mountain side to mountain side. Family and friends also enjoyed the afternoon on the mountain, with some participating in winter sports like tubing, snowmobiling and skiing as well.Following back-to-back games, the team used its well-deserved off day to do some exploring. The entire team and staff took a trip to visit Mt. Titlis, a mountain in the Alps. Besides the jaw-dropping views, players had the opportunity to take the gondolas up to the top of the mountain, which sits at almost 10,623 feet high, a take a walk along the Cliff Walk, a suspension bridge that allows you to walk from mountain side to mountain side. Family and friends also enjoyed the afternoon on the mountain, with some participating in winter sports like tubing, snowmobiling and skiing as well.
A UNIQUE GOAL SONG
If you listen closely when Team USA scores, a unique goal song plays in the area after the celebration. When deliberating on what the goal song should be, many different players had thoughts on the direction the team should go, so captain Maggie Scannell put her audio editing skills to use and mixed the goal song via audio editing software. If you listen closely, you’ll hear some eagle calls, which may be the inspiration behind a *few* goal celebrations thus far.
Take a listen below...
ALONG THE BOARDS WITH TEAM USA’S COACHING STAFF
Throughout the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship journey, we’ll regularly feature fun facts and tidbits about different members of the team and staff. Next up, is members of the team's coaching staff, head coach Liz Keady Norton and assistant coaches Brianna Decker, Meredith Roth and Zoe Hickel.
ON THEIR FAVORITE AMERICAN HOCKEY PLAYER:
Liz Keady Norton: Courtney Kennedy. She was so nice and welcoming to me when I was on my first national team, I really appreciated it. Shelley Looney was one of my all-time favorites as well.
Brianna Decker: Kacey Bellamy and Meghan Duggan. They’ve had such an impact on my career on the ice and been even more of an influence to me off the ice.
Meredith Roth: Cammi Granato. I had her as a camp consoler as a kid. Growing up as a kid in Iowa, I did know there was women’s college hockey. She gave me someone to look up to.
Zoe Hickel: TJ Oshie. He plays physical and can score. He does all the things on the ice and he represents our country so well.
ON THEIR PREGAME RITUALS:
Keady Norton: I like to get a walk in before going to the rink. I also like to spend a few minutes filling in my game card. I use certain colors and I the numbers have to be written perfectly. The fold down the middle also has to be perfect.
Decker: I like a pregame coffee and a game day workout. I’m not superstitious but I like a routine.
Roth: I like to get a workout in, it helps me relieve some stress before heading to the rink. I also spend time filling out my game card. There can be no mistakes, it has to be precise. A bad fold just ruins everything.
Hickel: A game day run, along with a coffee is a big one for me. I love ending my runs at a coffee shop. I also try to get a 20-minute nap in before heading to the rink.
ON THEIR GO TO BENCH OUTFIT:
Keady Norton: Nike Low Dunks, for this tournament they must be red, white and blue. I love a good pair of panda ones as well. I usually will rock those with a suit, a fresh blazer.
Decker: I like a nice pea coat, some Cole Haan shoes and a high bun.
Roth: A good pea coat, I have a lot of colors in my closet. I do my best to stay away from opponent colors. I also like to have a pin on the lapel of the pea coat, and a nice pair of trousers with ample pocket spaces so I can store my emotional-support marker during the game.
Hickel: I usually always wear black. I like the turtleneck and blazer look.
January 8 | Team USA 8, Switzerland 1
HIGHLIGHTS
ZUG, Switzerland – Eight different players tallied goals as the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Switzerland, 8-1, in its second preliminary round game at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship at Bossard Arena on Monday.
“I thought as a team we grew and got better,” said Liz Keady Norton (Boston, Mass.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “Our message has been that we have to learn and grow each period, and there were a few things we were focusing on, but I’m happy with our performance.”
GAME PHOTOS
January 7 | Team USA 7, Slovakia 1
HIGHLIGHTS
ZUG, Switzerland – Behind a six-goal third period, the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Slovakia, 7-1, in its opening game of the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship at Bossard Arena.
“We had a little bit of a slow start, but I thought we hung in there and ended up getting rewarded for playing the game the right way,” said Liz Keady Norton (Boston, Mass.), head coach of the 2024 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “We stuck to the plan and were able to get everyone involved.”
GAME PHOTOS
January 6 | One Day Till Game Day
With the start of Team USA’s tournament less than 24 hours away, it was full preparation mode all day. The team started with a hard skate for practice, before coming back to the hotel for a handful of video meetings to scout its first opponent, Slovakia.
HOW TO WATCH TEAM USA
All of Team USA’s games will be broadcast live on NHL Network or streamed on ESPN+. The three preliminary-round games can all be watched live on NHL Network.
| Date | Opponent/Round | Time (Local/ET)/Results | Location | Player of the Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs., Jan. 4 | Czechia Pre-Tournament Game |
L, 4-3 (SO) | Stimo Arena Kloten, Switzerland |
-- |
| Sun., Jan. 7 | Slovakia Preliminary Round |
W, 7-1 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Caroline Averill |
| Mon., Jan. 8 | Switzerland Preliminary Round |
W, 8-1 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Ava Thomas |
| Wed., Jan. 10 | Sweden Preliminary Round |
W, 4-0 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Layla Hemp |
| Thurs., Jan. 11 | Germany Quarterfinals |
W, 4-2 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Josie St. Martin |
| Sat., Jan. 13 | Finland Semifinals |
W, 4-2 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Josie St. Martin |
| Sun., Jan. 14 | Czechia Gold Medal Game |
W, 5-1 | Bossard Arena Zug, Switzerland |
Kassidy Carmichael |
ALONG THE BOARDS WITH #11 JOSIE ST. MARTIN
Throughout the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship journey, we’ll regularly feature fun facts and tidbits about players to help you get to know Team USA. Next up, is alternate captain Josie St. Martin
NAME: Josie St. Martin
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Stillwater, Minn.
MOST RECENT TEAM: Stillwater High School
ON HER FAVORITE AMERICAN HOCKEY PLAYER: “Brianna Decker, coach for sure. I just love her gritty playing style. She’s really helped me on and off the ice with advice. I just loved watching her play and see some similarities in our game.”
ON DESCRIBING HER ON-ICE STYLE: “I like to think I’m a play maker, I’m always looking to make the right hockey play. I love shooting the puck, but I also love setting my teammates up for success. I love slap shots.”
ON HER FAVORITE YOUTH HOCKEY MEMORY: “We were in the state championship with Andover, a rival team, and I scored with 28 seconds left in the game to put my team up 1-0 and win the championship.”
ON HER PREGAME RITUALS: “I really like playing Spikeball with my teammates. I usually have to win the game to get in the right mindset. That’s about it, I’m not a superstitious person.”
January 5 | Shipping Up To Zug
Team USA wrapped up its time in Kloten on Saturday morning, concluding its five-day training camp. The team spent the morning in recovery mode following a late night the previous day, before loading the bus with its personal luggage and heading off to the rink, where they packed up their hockey bags and hit the road.
The time lapse may be 22 seconds, but it sure took a *bit* longer than that to get the trailer loaded.
The drive from Kloten to Bossard Arena in Zug, where the tournament will be played, is about 45 minutes. Once the team arrived, they unloaded into their locker room space, before taking the bus an additional 30 minutes to the team hotel in Lucerne.
PICTURE DAY
Later in the day, the team returned to the rink for everyone’s favorite pre-tournament activity, picture day! The players were able to take their official IIHF headshots, before having the opportunity to take the ice for the first time before the official team photo. Since the U.S. was not practice today, the players were affording a few extra minutes to take personal photos on the ice.
Keep your eyes peeled to USA Hockey’s social media channels for the official team photo.
MEET GINGY - THE TRAVELING GINGERPERSON
Head coach Liz Keady Norton brought a special friend to Switzerland with her, a traveling gingerbread person named Gingy. Gingy, who is a cutout of a gingerbread person, was created by her son Mac as part of a project for his first-grade class. The gingerbread people are to have their photos taken with friends and family at all the fun places they visit both in the U.S. and around the world. Gingy has had quite the adventure thus far, taking the train into Zurich, being on the bench for the exhibition game against Czechia and joining in media day as a part of the team photo. Keep your eyes peeled on the bench, Gingy may make an appearance alongside the coaching staff during one of the games.
CELEBRATING IN SWITZERLAND
Defender Molly Boyle celebrated her birthday here in Switzerland today. The team surprised her with a decorated stall at the rink, along with a birthday cake surprise during dinner. Not a shabby place to celebrate your 18th birthday.
January 4 | First Taste Of Action
Team USA spent its last day in Kloten getting its first taste of game action with a pre-tournament game against Czechia. Though the U.S. dropped a 4-3 decision in the shootout, it was a good opportunity for the team to get a taste of game experience.
TEAM USA 3, CZECHIA 4 (SO)
KLOTEN, Switzerland – The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team dropped its pre-tournament game to Czechia, 4-3, in a shootout at Stimo Arena on Thursday evening.
“While we always want to come out on the winning side, today was a good opportunity for us to get our legs underneath us and see what we have to hone in on before tournament play starts this weekend,” said Liz Keady Norton (Boston, Mass.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “We’ll take this as a learning opportunity and move towards our first game against Slovakia.”
Josie St. Martin (Stillwater, Minn.) opened the game’s scoring with 11:55 remaining in the first, deflecting a slapshot five-hole into the net. Czechia responded with two-straight in the second half of the first to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room.
St. Martin tallied her second of the game early in the second on a breakaway, the only score of the period.
In the third, the teams exchanged goals to head into extra time tied, 3-3. Ava Thomas (Downington, Pa.) tallied one early in the third, before Czechia responded later in the period. Thomas also received a penalty shot in the waning minutes of the game, but could not convert.
After a scoreless overtime period, the teams moved to a shootout, where Czechia topped the U.S. 2-1 to win the game.
ALONG THE BOARDS WITH #24 MAGGIE SCANNELL...
Throughout the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship journey, we’ll regularly feature fun facts and tidbits about players to help you get to know Team USA. Next up, is captain Maggie Scannell
NAME: Maggie Scannell
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Wynantskill, N.Y.
MOST RECENT TEAM: Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.)
ON DESCRIBING HER ON-ICE STYLE: “I’m on offensive-minded defensive center. I play all over the ice.”
ON HER FAVORITE YOUTH HOCKEY MEMORY: “My dad would always make an outdoor rink in our backyard and we’d always skate out there with my brother and sister.”
ON HER PREGAME RITUALS: “No, I’m not a superstitious person. I like to just be with the team.”
ON HER FAVORITE PART ABOUT SWITZERLAND: “The people! Everyone has been so nice on this trip.”
January 3 | Team USA Names Leadership Group
It was a big day for Team USA, as head coach Liz Keady Norton named the team’s leadership trio for the 2024 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. Forward Maggie Scannell (Wynantskill, N.Y.) was named captain, while forwards Bella Fanale (Webster, N.Y.) and Josie St. Martin (Stillwater, Minn.) were named alternate captains.
All three were key members of the bronze medal-winning 2023 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team, while Scannell and St. Martin also were members of the 2022 team.
MAGGIE SCANNELL: “We have such a great team and I’m grateful to be named captain. We have such a supportive locker room and it’s such a great group of people.”
BELLA FANALE: “It’s truly an honor. All of our teammates are leaders, but for the team to look to us for those big moments, it’s really special.”
JOSIE ST. MARTIN: “I’m excited to help lead this team. It’s an awesome group of girls and we’re all excited to get the tournament going in a few days.”
CELEBRATING IN SWITZERLAND
Goaltender Natalia Dilbone celebrated her birthday here in Switzerland today. The team surprised her with a decorated stall at the rink, along with a sparkler-filled birthday cake during dinner. The team used birthday-themed plates and napkins, and also wore birthday hats as well.
Team scout, Haley Skarupa also celebrated her birthday today too, feeling the love from players and staff with a sparkler-filled birthday cake celebration during dinner as well!
January 2 | Another Day Closer To Competition
Another day in Switzerland in the books, and the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team took its next step on its journey to Zug, inching one day closer to the start of the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Despite the gloomy weather, the team was in good spirits at the rink for an early practice. The sun rises in Switzerland at 8:15 a.m., so the walk to the rink was in the dark, with practice slated to begin at 8:45 a.m.
The team continued working on installing its system of play, pushing the tempo for the whole two-hour skate. Following practice, the team has an afternoon session with strength and conditioning coach Bill DeLongis, not to work out, but to go through a set of team-building activities. From teamwork activities to creative problem solving to having a little fun, the team bonded before heading to a team dinner at Baracca Zermatt, where they shared a traditional Swiss meal of fondue.
During dinner, players and staff alike streamed the World Junior Championship quarterfinals game between the U.S. and Lativa on their phones. Keeping an eye on Team USA all around the world.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2024 U.S. UNDER-18 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
- The 2024 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is made up of 25 players - three goalies, eight defenders and 14 forwards. The full team roster can be viewed HERE.
- Of the 25 players on the team, seven players return from the bronze medal-winning 2023 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team in Kendra Distad, Rose Dwyer, Bella Fanale, Megan Healy, Layla Hemp, Maggie Scannell and Josie St. Martin. Of the seven returners, Scannell and St. Martin were also key players on the 2022 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team as well.
- Players from 10 different states are represented on the team, with Massachusetts and Minnesota boasting seven natives. New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont all have two, while Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Nebraska and North Carolina have one player.
- Sisters Caroline Averill and Margaret Averill are representing Team USA for the first time. Caroline, a forward, and Margaret, a defender, are from Wayland, Mass. and play their youth hockey with Assabet Valley.
- The team is led by Liz Keady Norton, who is the head coach of the Dartmouth College women’s ice hockey team. She is joined on staff by assistant coaches Brianna Decker, Meredith Roth and Zoe Hickel and goaltending coach Sanya Sandahl.
January 1 | Happy New Year
Team USA rang in 2024 with its first full day in Switzerland. The team had an afternoon practice, so many of the players enjoyed the slow morning, having breakfast at the hotel, before going for a team walk before practice.
Practice was fast-paced with the team working on special teams for most of the skate. The U.S. even had a few spectators, as Team Czechia, who is also hosting their pre-camp at Stimo Arena, came to watch for a few minutes. The U.S. will face Czechia in a pre-tournament game on Thursday (Jan. 4).
After practice, the team returned to the hotel to have dinner and watch the inaugural PWHL game between Toronto and New York.
ALONG THE BOARDS WITH #19 JORDYN PETRIE
Throughout the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship journey, we’ll regularly feature fun facts and tidbits about players to help you get to know Team USA. First up, is Jordyn Petrie
NAME: Jordyn Petrie
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Lincoln, Neb.
MOST RECENT TEAM: Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Minn.)
ON HER FAVORITE AMERICAN HOCKEY PLAYER: “Brianna Decker. I’ve looked up to her my whole life and now having her as a coach is a surreal feeling.”
ON DESCRIBING HER ON-ICE STYLE: “I play big and physical, but I can also use the smaller areas and dig the pucks out of the corner.”
ON HER FAVORITE YOUTH HOCKEY MEMORY: “When I would player roller hockey when I was little. We’d go to Colorado and play long tournaments there. We’d play eight games and it was so much fun. We’d all hang out in the hotel and go swimming after we’d win.”
ON HER PREGAME RITUALS: “I have a very strategic pregame routine and run through the same thing every game for the whole two hours. I’ll get half dressed and then go do something else, get fully dressed and go do the next step.”
December 31 | Let The Journey Begin
The 2024 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team’s journey to Switzerland began at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday evening as the team and staff convened from all around the country to board its 7.5 hour flight from New York to Zurich. The team spent time in the airport bonding, playing cards at the gates and building Lego kits. Dinner and breakfast was served on the long-haul flight, before landing in Switzerland just before 10 a.m. local time.
The team dropped their bags off at the hotel before heading over to Stimo Arena, a rink in Kloten, a suburb of Zurich, where Team USA will be practicing for the next four days. Stimo Arena is the home of EHC Kloten, a professional team in Switzerland that plays in the National League. It also served as one of the host rinks for the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championship, though, Team USA did not play there during the 2009 championship.
Practice helped skate out some jet lag and get the player’s legs moving after a long travel day. Following practice, the team headed back to the hotel for dinner and a small New Year’s Eve celebration, before heading off the bed for a well-deserved night’s rest.
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