The final stop of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour is set to be played this week in Liberec, Czechia, with Switzerland, Czechia, and Finland, the three European nations already qualified for the 2026 Olympics facing off with rosters that include their PWHL stars.
The final stop of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour is set to be played this week in Liberec, Czechia, with Switzerland, Czechia, and Finland, the three European nations already qualified for the 2026 Olympics facing off with rosters that include their PWHL stars.
Liberec, Czechia will host the next stop on the Women's Euro Hockey Tour this week. For the first time, Finland, Switzerland, and Czechia will all field their top teams. The last Euro Hockey Tour Stop was a Six Nation event in Finland. This time around only three teams are competing as the rest of Europe's top nations are currently playing for a spot in the 2026 Olympic Games are qualifying events in Sweden, Germany, and Japan.
Kaltounkova Returns Again For Czechia
Aside from the absence of Natalie Mlynkova and Andrea Trnkova, who chose to remain with their NCAA programs, Czechia is fielding one of their strongest teams in recent memory. The key difference is the presence of Colgate star Kristýna Kaltounková who is playing, as she's the veritable newcomer, to secure her spot. Last time around however, Kaltounková, only had fellow college players to skate with, and Czechia's secondary pros. This time however, the potential PWHL first round pick will get to lineup alongside Czechia's top PWHL pros in Kateřina Mrázová, Tereza Vanišová, Klára Hymlárová, Denisa Křížová, Daniela Pejšová, Aneta Tejralová, and Noemi Neubauerová, along with Michaela Pejzlová who remains one of the top players in Europe. Also on the roster are forwards Adéla Šapovalivová and Tereza Plosová who are headed to the NCAA next season. Czechia will also see Klára Peslarová return to the crease. Peslarová will enter with something to prove as she hopes to earn a start with the PWHL's Boston Fleet upon her return.
Finland Fielding New Mix Without Tapani, Hiirikoski
Finland will bring a mixed bag roster to Czechia without two of their top veterans, Boston Fleet forward Susanna Tapani and defender Jenni Hiirikoski. Similarly, Finland will be without their top netminders, with Sanni Ahola and Emilia Krykko, as well as defenders Nelli Laitinen and Krista Parksonnen, and forwards Julia Schalin and Sofianna Sundelin who will all remain in the NCAA. Other key omissions from their roster include forward Emilia Vesa. Despite the absences, Finland will see veteran forwards Petra Nieminen, Michelle Karvinen, Viivi Vainikka, Elisa Holopainen, and Jenniina Nylund. The team also has PWHL players Ronja Savolainen (Ottawa Charge) and Noora Tulus (New York Sirens) on board. Defenders Sanni Rantala and returnee Sini Karjalainen who has not been part of recent Finnish rosters, will play a significant role. Teenager Tuuli Tallinen will get a chance on the blueline.
Switzerland Finally Brings Top Players
With Boston Fleet forward Alina Muller and national team leader Lara Stalder on board, Switzerland will be competitive, although their roster is still thin compared to the competition, in particular without Andrea Brandli, who will not play in net. Young stars Ivana Wey and Naemi Herzig who are both destined for the NCAA are two players to watch, but Switzerland will also bring another youngster who will make her national program debut in 16-year-old defender Laure Mériguet. Mériguet plays in Switzerland's highest U-17 boys' hockey league. She starred for Switzerland at the U-18 World Championships this year.