Eight nations, including Russia who remains barred from IIHF competition, will compete at the 2027 Universaide women's hockey tournament.
While the IIHF continues to examine ongoing bans on Russia internationally, the Student Neutral Athletes from Russian Federation will compete at the 2027 Universaide women's hockey tournament in Changchun, China.
Russia won't be the only nation fielding a roster at the event amid geopolitical conflict as Iran will also bring a women's hockey roster to the eight-team tournament.
The event will consist of Iran, Japan, Slovakia and Russia competing in Group A, along with Canada, Czechia, Korea, and United States in Group B.
For Russia, it's an important return to international competition.
"Before the start of the season, some exciting news for all Russian fans emerged. Both the men's and women's university teams will compete in the Universiade in January! This is a major international tournament, in which our players will be full participants. I would like to thank the Ministry of Sport for their support and assistance in these matters," Russian Ice Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak said in a speech earlier this month.
Also known as the FISU World University Games, the Winter Universaide was first played in 1960 in France.
Canada annually fields a roster of top players from U SPORTS women's hockey, while the United States alternates each tournament between players from the NCAA, primarily coming from the Division III level, and the ACHA.
The 2027 American roster will be built of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) players.
All eight teams at the 2027 tournament will advance to the quarterfinals with preliminary games played at the 2,460-seat Nanguan Ice Arena, and playoff round at Changchun Olympic Park Ice Arena.
Over the last several tournaments, many national team players, and future PWHL players have competed at the Universaide.
Czechia won gold in 2025 with Canada winning in 2023. Czechia's 2025 roster included 2026 Olympian Julia Pejsova. Canada's 2023 roster included current PWHL players Kendra Woodland, Kelly-Ann Nadeau, Maggy Burbidge, and draft pick Audrey-Anne Veillette. New York Sirens forward Emmy Fecteau captained the roster. 2026 Montreal Victoire draft pick Emilie Lavoie played in the 2025 tournament, while Erica Reider is another former competitor.
Other current PWHL players who are Universaide alumni include Fanuza Kadirova, Daniela Pejsova, Akane Shiga, Kaitlin Willoughby, Anna Shokhina, Alexandra Labelle, Maria Batalova (Camp Invite), and Catherine Dubois. Montreal Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie also played in the tournament.
