Here are the players to watch from the Division IB World Championships in Latvia this week including players from Slovakia, Italy, Great Britain, Poland, and Slovenia.
The Division IB World Championships are set to drop the puck in Riga, Latvia featuring Italy, Slovenia, Great Britain, Poland, Slovakia, and host Latvia. Here's a look at the players to watch at the Division IB World Championships.
Nadia Mattivi, D, Italy - The reigning back-to-back best defender at the Division IB World Championships, Mattivi is coming off a strong NCAA career where she captained Boston University the past two seasons. Mattivi is a prospect for the PWHL Draft and will again be the backbone and best player for Italy.
Pia Dukaric, G, Slovenia - Perennially one of the best goaltenders in the game, Dukaric was the 2022-2023 ECAC Goaltender of the Year, and won Best Goaltender honors at last year's DIB World Championship. She can steal games at any level, but here she can steal the tournament.
Ema Tothova, F, Slovakia - Watch out for this 16-year-old, a star in the making for Slovakia who is likely to end up in North America at some point. While Nela Lopusanovsa gets all the talk in Slovakia, Tothova is a 5-foot-10 who is equal parts playmaker and goal scorer.
Martina Fedel, G, Italy - She had a spectacular season with the University of Guelph in USports, where she was named the OUA Goaltender of the Year and First Team All-Star. Fedel posted a 1.03 GAA and .951 save percentage in 19 regular season games, numbers that improved to 0.64 GAA and .972 in the playoffs.
Iveta Klimášová, F, Slovakia - It's been years since Klimášová last represented Slovakia internationally. After spending three seasons in the PHF with the Buffalo Beauts, Klimášová split this season between Finland and Sweden's AIK. She'll be a key feature of Slovakia's attempt to get back to Division IA.
Anna Caumo, F, Italy - The 22-year-old just finished her second NCAA season. After struggling at the University of Maine as a rookie, Caumo used the transfer portal to jump to Franklin Pierce where she finished fourth in team scoring with 20 points in 34 games.
Ellin Rees, D, Great Britain - Only 18, Rees will be a cornerstone for Great Britain over the next decade. She moved to North America last year to find better competition playing with OHA in Ontario's junior loop. This season she moved to the USA with Newark Ironbound having a breakout campaign with 43 points in 54 games.
Linda Rulle, F, Latvia - Rulle just completed her rookie season in North America playing NCAA hockey for RIT where she had seven points in 34 games. She was a top scorer for Latvia last season with seven points in four games at Worlds, and will be counted on to take another step forward this year.
L, D, Poland - The 19-year-old blueliner has spent the past several seasons in Finland's Naisten Liiga, and next year is scheduled to become a rare Polish player competing at the NCAA DI level with Bemidji State. The competition of the WCHA will take her game to a new level. This year she had 28 points in 29 games with Kiekko-Espoo.
Wiktoria Sikorska, F, Poland - One of few players in this tournament competing in the SDHL, the world's second best league, the 21-year-old Sikorska has spent the past four seasons playing in Sweden's top league. This year with SDE she registered nine points in 32 games.
Liga Miljone, F, Latvia - The former University of Maine forward captained Latvia last season leading her nation to promotion. If they're going to avoid immediately relegation, Miljone will need to drive offense for Latvia.
Pia Pren, F, Slovenia - Slovenia's long time captain has been her nation's top skater for years, and continues to be one of the most veteran presences at this level. She was strong for Södertälje SK this season in the NDHL. Watch for a big tournament from Pren.
Other players to watch: Tatiana Blichova (Slovakia), Lucia Haluskova (Slovakia), Ellie Patrick (Great Britain), Sara Confidenti (Slovenia), Nicole Jackson (Great Britain), Rebecca Roccella (Italy).