We count down the top ten performers from the 2023 World Championships Division 1A tournament in Shenzhen, China.
The World Championship Division 1A tournament is in the books, but the memorable performances of the tournament's top players will remain. Host China and Denmark, who hosted the last top division World Championship were both promoted, while Slovakia was demoted for Division 1B. South Korea is set to come up from Division 1B to join the group next year.
While veterans including Josefine Jakobsen, Savine Wielenga, and Anna Meixner continued to star, other young players like Austria's Selma Luggin stepped forward as top performers this year.
Here's a look at the top 10 players from this year's Division 1A World Championships:
- Selma Luggin, Austria - Welcome to Selma Luggin's world. At the recent World Championships in Canada, it was Emma Soderberg and Sandra Abstreiter stealing the show and games. At this competition, Selma Luggin, 20, had a breakout performance. She was fabulous in Sweden last year, but an injury limited her season. Coming into this campaign, she'll be a netminder to watch, and is a prospect the new professional league in North America should be following closely. Luggin finished this tournament with a 0.81 GAA and 0.974 save percentage along with two shutouts in five games.
- Josefine Jakobsen, Denmark - The veteran was integral in Denmark earning promotion back to the top division of the World Championships. The 32-year-old was Denmark's leading scorer, and is her nation's all-time leading scorer. She not only had six points in five games at this tournament, but produced at timely moments, and was one of the tournament's top performers in the face off circle as well. Jakobsen was physically dominant and drove possession every time she stepped on the ice.
- Tia Chan, China - One of the best netminders in NCAA hockey, Chan was integral in leading China to promotion, and as much as she was calm and consistent in net at this tournament, she'll need to be more when China goes up. A standout for UConn, Chan didn't have to be spectacular with China's strong play in front of her, but she was none the less. Chan posted two shutouts and a 1.20 GAA and .959 save percentage in the tournament.
- Savine Wielenga, Netherlands - The surprise team of the tournament was led by the nation's greatest player of all-time, Savine Wielenga. Wielenga is the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer by more than 40 points, and she grew that total at this tournament scoring more than a point per game, finishing with seven in five games. Bieke van Nes also deserves
- Anna Meixner, Austria - Probably the best forward in the tournament in terms of skill and hockey sense, Meixner was a one woman force for Austria. She's a player who could and should be in North America in the new professional league. The SDHL MVP was the driving force for Austria offensively in this tournament. Meixner finished with five points in five games.
- Anna Segedi, China - There are several players who could be mentioned here from China, whether it's Minghui Kong, Xin Fang, Kassy Betinol, or Anna Fairman. Thier roster top to bottom showed the growing strength of China's national women's program. Segedi however, who plays for St. Lawrence University, pushed back defenders with her speed and was a consistent threat off the rush. She'll be a core member of China's team for years to come. Segedi also led the tournament in face-off percentage, winning 69.16% of her draws.
- Millie Sirum, Norway - Looking back on her career, Millie Sirum could be Norway's all-time leader based on what she's done in her young career. That now includes leading the IIHF Division 1A World Championships in scoring after Sirum finished with five goals and seven points in five games for Norway. It's her third straight and third career World Championship scoring at least a point per game. Sirum will return to Holy Cross in the NCAA this year for her fourth season.
- Kayleigh Hamers, Netherlands - Netherlands was a goal away from promotion to for the first time in their nation's history, but it wasn't to be. Heading into the tournament, they were "favoured" for demotion, not promotion, so the result remains a resounding success. Without the play of veterans like Kayleigh Hamers, who not only solidified the Netherlands' blueline holding off the opposition, but helped to jump start her nation's offense from the back end, the result would not have been possible.
- Jessica Wong, China - She was out of the game this season, but that didn't stop Wong from being one of the best defenders at this tournament. In 2009, Wong played at the U-18 World Championships tying Marie-Philip Poulin and Melodie Daoust for Canada's scoring lead. She followed it with an exceptional career in the NCAA, CWHL, and Russia. While the 32 year old isn't the player she was a decade ago, Wong proved her ability to jumpstart the play, join the rush, and distribute pucks has not diminished. China would not have been the team they were this tournament without Wong.
- Nicoline Jensen, Denmark - Taking over as captain of Denmark, Jensen won big leading her team to promotion rebounding directly from relegation in 2022. In the process, Jensen scored three goals in five games, and finished with a strong 56.94% face off win percentage. Jensen returned this year from the SDHL to play in Denmark, and the improved confidence from producing in her home league showed on the ice at this tournament.
Other notable performers: Bieke van Nes, Minghui Kong, Emilie Kruse, Mathea Fischer, Annika Fazokas, Xing Fang, Kassy Betinol, Leah Lum, Emma Bergesen, Zuzana Dobiasova, Emma-Sofie Nordstrom, Eline Gabriele, Emile Kruse Johansen.