Japan released their 2024 IIHF World Championship roster, which has been strengthened this season by more players competing in Europe and North America.
Japan released their 2024 IIHF World Championship roster, which has been strengthened this season by more players competing in Europe and North America.
Japan's 2024 IIHF women's World Championship roster looks strong than past groups. It might not, however, be enough to get them back to Group A, but it should be enough to keep them well away from relegation.
Last year, Japan slipped down to Group B, it was a sign the nation had to act quickly to change their trajectory, and they responded in folds sending the bulk of their roster overseas to find better competition.
Up front, that group includes Akane Shiga who is playing for PWHL Ottawa, and Haruka Toko, who has emerged as one of the best players in Sweden leading Linkoping in scoring with 43 points in 36 games this year. But the roster will benefit from a number of other players who journeyed to Europe to play this season including Mei Miuri and Hikaru Yamashita who boh played in the SDHL with AIK, and Yoshino Enomoto who was the leading scorer for Lugano in Switzerland. Domestically, Rui Ukita, Remi Koyama, and Makato Ito remain three of the best for Japan. Their forward group is rounded out by Marin Nagaoko, Rio Noro, Suzuka Taka, Yumeka Wajima, and Yuzi Iizuka.
On the blueline, Japan also saw key members of their roster head overseas this season including defender Aoi Shiga, who played in Switzerland, Ayaka Hitosato who played for Linkoping in Sweden, and Kanami Seki who played for Sweden's HV71. Their top four will also include Kohane Sato, one of the top young defenders in the tournament. Japan's blueline will also include An Shinoda, Akane Hosoyamada, Shiori Koike, and Shiori Yamashita.
In net Riko Kawaguchi and Miyuu Masuhara return from last year's World Championship roster, but this time around are joined by Haruka Kuromaru as their third.