This week, Norway was promoted to the world juniors, four women were named to the ECHL All-Star Classic and more.
Growing The Game is Ian Kennedy’s weekly feature examining the global game, how social issues impact the sport, and how hockey’s significant cultural shift continues to evolve.
Norway Promoted to Top World Junior Championship
We don’t know who will be relegated down, but we know what nation is coming up to compete with the world’s top teams next winter: Norway.
Norway went a perfect 5-0 in the World Junior D1-A tournament, including in the final beating Kazakhstan 5-3 for promotion.
“It feels great,” said Norway coach Anders Gjose in an IIHF news release. “It’s a big step in our developmental plan to reach the top division and get to play against the best opponents in the world. That’s the best showcase window for our players.”
Petter Vesterheim may have earned himself some NHL draft consideration with his performance in the tournament, leading Norway with seven points in five games. The late 2004-born forward has been strong in Sweden’s J20 loop with Mora and has spent time with Mora’s Allsvenskan team.
The top name in Norway right now is Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who has put himself on the 2024 NHL draft radar scoring a point per game for Norway and more than a point per game with Mora.
Four Women Headed to the ECHL All-Star Classic
Ann-Sophie Bettez of the PHF’s Montreal Force, Sydney Brodt of the Minnesota Whitecaps and PWHPA players Emily Brown and Sam Cogan will participate in the ECHL’s 2023 All-Star Classic on Jan. 16 in Norfolk, Va.
“Ann-Sophie Bettez and Sydney Brodt are highly skilled athletes, tremendous leaders, and fitting representatives to showcase the new era of the Premier Hockey Federation at the 2023 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic,” said PHF Commissioner Reagan Carey in a league press release.
“This event will be a special experience for the players and our league as we continue to grow the game and move professional women’s hockey forward. We are always appreciative of opportunities to collaborate in the spirit of bringing hockey’s best together, and look forward to joining the ECHL in Norfolk for this exciting event.”
This is the second straight season the ECHL has invited women from the PHF and PWHPA to participate in its all-star festivities.
Carnegie Initiative Honoring Game Changers
The Carnegie Initiative, founded in honor of Black hockey trailblazer and Hockey Hall of Famer Herb Carnegie, will hand out their first annual Herb Carnegie Trailblazer Awards (HCTA) this January at the organization’s second-ever summit.
Receiving recognition in the inaugural cohort are Alexandria Briggs-Blake (The Tucker Road Ducks), Kirk Brooks (Seaside Hockey – Skillz Hockey), Stephane Friday (Hockey Indigenous), Moezine Hasham (Hockey 4 Youth), Nate Mata (RGV Roller), Brock McGillis (LGBTQ+ activist) and Zarmina Nekzai, (The Hockey Girls of Kabul).
“The HCTA program reflects my father Herb’s work and passion over many decades to make sport a powerful tool for positive change,” said Bernice Carnegie, co-founder of the Carnegie Initiative, in a news release. “He kept scoring throughout his life and career – ‘keeping the red light on’ – just like these seven special individuals are currently doing in their communities.”
Canada Looks to Repeat at Women’s U-18 Worlds
Canada seeks to repeat as women’s U-18 World champions when the puck drops in Ostersund on Jan. 8.
Last year, Canada held off a powerful USA team in the gold medal game. The Americans were led by tournament MVP Laila Edwards and forward Tessa Janecke, who made her senior national debut for the USA at the recent Rivalry Series.
Canada and the USA’s rosters for this tournament include seven returning members of the 2022 gold and silver medal teams. They’ll face off against Finland and Sweden in Group A, while Group B features Czechia, Slovakia, Japan and Switzerland.