The final stage of Olympic Qualification is set to drop the puck in Japan, Germany, and Sweden from February 6-9 with three spots at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on the line.
Twelve teams are set to compete for the final three spots in the 2026 Olympic women's hockey tournament. The qualifying tournaments which open February 6 in Sweden, Japan, and Germany, will finalize the 10 team pool.
Each nation will be fielding their best possible roster with the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina. Here's one player to watch from each of the 12 participating nations.
- Nela Lopusanova, Slovakia - It was against significantly weaker competition than Slovakia will face at this tournament, but 16-year-old Nela Lopusanova was Slovakia's driving force in her senior national team debut. The offensive dynamo scored 11 goals and 18 points for Slovakia in only three games. Slovakians are hoping Lopusanova will help her nation reach new heights, and this tournament is the first step in that process.
- Julia Zielinska, Poland - When Malgorzata Zakrewska is eligible to play for Poland's senior national team, there will really be something to talk about for this nation. But she'll be following the path blazed by another Polish player, defender Julia Zielinska who this season became the first ever player from Poland to compete in NCAA D1 hockey. The Bemidji State blueliner will be a key to keeping Poland competitive.
- Kayleigh Hamers, Netherlands - One of the best all-around defenders in the SDHL, Hamers is a blueliner who could test the PWHL waters at some point. She's the anchor of the Netherlands roster and will need to be a world mover if her nation has any hope of qualifying.
- Akane Shiga, Japan - Shiga has been excellent with Lulea in the SDHL this season. Her game has taken a significant step forward getting to play key minutes in the best league outside North America. Japan will need Shiga to be on another level at this tournament to punch their ticket to the Olympics.
- Chloe Aurard, France - An opportunity for Aurard to be the go-to player and she'll look to make the most of the opportunity and attempt to help France defy the odds and qualify. Aurard is a player the PWHL's New York Sirens hope will heat up at the Qualifier tournament and bring it back. Another name to watch is Manon le Scodan who is headed to Clarkson next year.
- Emma Bergesen, Norway - Bergesen sees the ice well and has the intelligence to continue up hockey's ladder. Every opportunity Bergesen has this season is another to show the PWHL she is worth a look. Millie Rose Sirum is another player to watch. She plays with tenacity and could get a look in a depth PWHL role as her skill set is perfect to grind it out and make a team harder to play against.
- Laura Kluge, Germany - There's still a legitimate chance Laura Kluge ends up in the PWHL this season. The big veteran will be crucial to Germany's Olympic hopes. Defender Nina Jobst-Smith will anchor Germany's blueline.
- Anna Meixner, Austria - Meixner needs some time on a top line. She's shown glimpses this season with the PWHL's Ottawa Charge, but needs to be in a top six role. She'll get back to that spot with Austria, and the Charge will hope it's the spark she needs.
- Maddie Leidt, Hungary - Leidt has scored everywhere she's gone. The former NCAA DIII standout, Leidt was the leading scorer at the 2023 Universaide for Team USA, the led the EWHL in goals and points last season, and this season is leading the DFEL in goals and points. This will be Leidt's first official international tournament with Hungary. Can she move the needle?
- Jiaxin Wang, China - The teenager may be China's top up and coming domestically trained player. She was China's U-18 captain in 2024 and this season was the top Chinese scorer on KRS Shenzhen sitting only a point behind a trio of experienced North American players. She's yet to take her big step forward to lead China's senior national team, but this could be the moment.
- Mira Jungåker, Sweden - Jungåker missed the bulk of the NCAA season with an injury she suffered in her opening games at Ohio State, but since returning has been one of the best players on the ice. Sweden's forward group is already strong enough to compete at a higher level, but defensive depth is an issue, but Mira Jungåker will be the key to changing that.
- Emma-Sofie Nordstrom, Denmark - The Danish will need Nordstrom to not just be good, but to be great in this tournament if they stand a chance to qualify. The St. Lawrence University backstopper is having another spectacular NCAA campaign.
Nela Lopusanova•Chloe Aurard•Anna Meixner•Kayleigh Hamers•Olympic Games•Akane Shiga•Emma Bergesen•Emma-Sofie Nordstrom•Maddie Leidt•Laura Kluge•Jiaxin Wang•Mira Jungaker•Julia Zielinska