In a few years, Emma-Sofie Nordstrom could become the first player from Denmark to play in the PWHL. For now, she's focused on doing everything she can at the World Championships to help Denmark succeed.
In a few years, Emma-Sofie Nordstrom could become the first player from Denmark to play in the PWHL. For now, she's focused on doing everything she can at the World Championships to help Denmark succeed.
Emma-Sofie Nordstrom is the backbone of Team Denmark. Nordstrom was a Second Team All-ECAC Star this year playing for St. Lawrence University. Her role in the NCAA has been crucial to St. Lawrence's success, but at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, Nordstrom is not only Denmark's best player, she's their best hope to avoid relegation.
"She's a great goalie and she has a great personality," said Danish captain Nicoline Jensen. "She does a lot in the locker room too, she's really focused, and brings a lot of professional things into the locker room and a lot of the young ones can learn from her."
Facing as many shots as she has, 39 against Sweden and 44 against against Germany, Nordstrom is under a heavy workload. With Denmark managing only 17 total shots through those two games, the play has been pinned in Nordstrom's zone most of the time. When one alludes her, she's trying to keep a short memory and look forward to the next shot and next shift.
"Just having a short memory, if there's a goal just trying not to think about it. I've been doing some breathing techniques to stay calm when there's a lot of pressure going on," Nordstrom explained of her on-ice practices.
As Nordstrom said, it's actually easier for her to stay focused with the puck in her zone as much as it has been.
Beyond this tournament and her upcoming NCAA campaign, Nordstrom also has an eye on another possibility, someday becoming the first player from Denmark to play in the PWHL.
"That would obviously be awesome," said said. "I don't know if I'll be the first one, but that would be my dream."
Nordstrom helped Denmark earn promotion from the Division IA tournament, and whether they can stay in the top division, or are again relegated, Emma-Sofie Nordstrom will remain the backbone of her national team for years to come.