Italy is set to host the 2026 women's hockey tournament. The nation was the final country to announce their Olympic women's hockey roste ahead of the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Italy is set to host the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina. Tuesday they became the final nation in the 10-team women's hockey tournament to announce their Olympic women's hockey roster.
Italy recently finished a two-month training block in Montreal where the team practiced and played exhibition games against several U Sports women's hockey teams. Italian head coach Eric Bouchard was pleased with how his team played during their time in Canada, and with the identity his roster will bring to the Olympic Games.
"A team that reflects our identity and knows how to master the details. No one sees us as the favorites? Good, we don't care," Bouchard said in a translated news release.
"Playing the entire floor, winning one-on-one battles, managing the puck: we start from there and from paying attention to every single substitution. I reiterate the importance of defensive structure ; Olympic-level games are won first and foremost in your own third, and that's exactly what we're preparing for. We've always maintained a high level of intensity to be physically ready, now I can say that this national team knows how to defend, how to endure, and also how to strike at the right time."
Italy's women's hockey roster is headlined by a mix of dual passports players with professional and international experience, along with a group of impressive home grown players.
In net, University of Guelph netmidner Martina Fedel will be counted upon to anchor Italy's crease as she has at recent World Championship competitions. She'll be joined by Gabriella Frances Durante and Margherita Ostoni in net.
On the blueline, former Canadian Olympian Laura Fortino, CWHL veteran Jacqueline Pierri, and Kristen Guerriero join as dual passport players to bolster a blueline that also features captain and top PWHL prospect Nadia Mattivi, who is the reigning SDHL Defender of the Year. Italy's blueline will also include Laura Lobis, Franziska Stocker, and Amie Fielding Varano.
Up front Italy will rely on Kristin Della Rovere, Matilde Fantin, Kayla Tutino, and Justine Reyes to guide their offense. Their Olympic roster will also include Aurora Enrica Abatangelo, Eleonora Bonafini, Anna Caumo, Manuela Heidenberger, Sara Kaneppele, Marta Mazzocchi, Greta Niccolai, Rebecca Roccella, and Carola Saletta.