Switzerland will host a 4 Nations Cup featuring national teams from Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, and France. Many top players return, while a new wave is set to emerge.
A 4 Nations Cup is set to drop the puck in Kloten, Switzerland featuring national teams from Switzerland, Germany, France, and Hungary. The event runs from August 24 to August 26
The four nations each played in April's World Championship in Canada, with Switzerland finishing fourth and Germany holding their spot in Group B. Hungary and France however were the two teams relegated who will play in Division 1A in 2024.
Here's a look at each of the teams competing in the 4 Nations Cup.
Switzerland
The host nation will enter this tournament as the favorite to win each game they play, especially with the star power they'll bring up front. Alina Muller recently signed with ZSC Lions to start her season in Switzerland until North American's new professional women's hockey league starts. She'll be in uniform for Switzerland alongside longtime Swiss captain and international star Lara Stalder. The Swiss are bringing three newcomers to the national team to the event, and one, 2007 born Naemi Herzig could be the best player Switzerland has produced in recent seasons. She'll play alongside Stalder and other top players with EVZ this year. The other newcomers are Alizée Aymon and Annic Büchi. Other notable returnees to Switzerland's roster include Andrea Brandli in net and Lara Christen on the blueline.
Hungary
Hungary's roster looks similar to their World Championship team. Up front, Alexandra Huszak, Reka Debasi, and Fanni Gasparics will provide the veteran presence. Despite being relegated to the D1A World Championship, Hungary has a wealth of young players ready to step in who could change the future fate of their national program. Regina Metzler captained Hugnary's U-18 team and had two points in four games at the World Championships, while Emma Kreisz is set to enter her rookie season at the University of Minnesota. 2007 born prospect Berta Mozolai is moving to Stanstead College this year, and looks like a future Hungarian standout, as does Báhiczki-Tóth Boglárka. On the blueline, Taylor Baker, Franciska Kiss-Simon, and Lotti Odnoga return as central figures. Aniko Nemeth is Hungary's top goaltender, and she's back with the national team.
France
The French continue to send more players to North America and across Europe, and soon that strategy should pay dividends internationally. This team will again be led by NCAA star Chloe Aurard who had signed to play professionally with the PHF's Boston Pride, and will be a likely candidate to make the new North American pro league. Alongside Aurard up front, Lore Baudrit and Clara Rozier remain central to France's attack. France has six players competing in Canada's Ligue de Hockey Collégiale du Québec, which should eventually help their lineup with secondary scoring. Two absences that will hurt the French at this 4 Nations Cup are defender Athena Locatelli and goaltender Caroline Lambert.
Germany
Germany's roster is missing some of the firepower they brought to the World Championships this year. Franziska Feldmeier who recently signed with Linkoping in the SDHL will not attend, nor will Lili Welcke and Luisa Welcke, the sisters who played NCAA hockey at Maine last year before transferring to Boston University this season. On the blueline NCAA standout Nina Jobst-Smith who plays for Minnesota-Duluth won't play either. Germany will enter with Sandra Abstreiter as the backbone in net, and does have their leading scorer from Worlds, Celina Haider along with Nicola Eisenschmid up front. Laura Kluge who missed much of last season before returning for a strong playoff run is back and ready to reclaim her spot as a top line player for the Germans.