Ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, each of the 12 participating men's hockey nation named their initial six players per roster. Women's hockey is not doing the same for their 10 team tournament.
Canada won back their hold on gold at the 2022 Olympics and will look to hold off their arch rivals from the USA in 2026.
Had the 10 women's teams been forced to name six players this summer, here's a look at who each nation could have selected.
Canada
Throw six darts at a team photo and you'll hit six players capable of being on this team. Canada's depth is a gift and a curse. They haven't significantly altered their roster in years and the most recent shake up ahead of the 2025 Worlds resulted in silver. But it's all eyes on 2026 where it could be the final Olympics of legends like Marie-Philip Poulin and Ann-Renee Desbiens. If Canada had to pick a first six, fans should not expect any surprises. Although the play of a first time national team member like Daryl Watts could push that conversation.
Canada's First Six Picks: Marie-Philip Poulin, Renata Fast, Sarah Fillier, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Ella Shelton
USA
USA is coming off a World Championship gold, won once again in overtime. They have a talented roster mixing veterans and rookies. The fact players like Kendall Coyne Schofield, Alex Carpenter, or Abbey Murphy, or goaltenders in Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Phillips might not be a in an initial six selections shows you how much talent USA is bringing. They have wave after wave of standout stars, and will have extremely difficult decisions to make while finalizing their roster.
USA's First Six Picks: Taylor Heise, Hilary Knight, Caroline Harvey, Megan Keller, Laila Edwards, Alex Carpenter.
Finland
Finland's forward depth is beginning to bubble over. Their blueline includes Nelli Laitinen, Ronja Savolainen, and Sanni Rantala, and with any hope a rested and recouperated Jenni Hiirikoski who underwent offseason heart surgery. Forwards who might not get the initial nod include players like Viivi Vainikka and Noora Tulus, and goalie Sanni Ahola who will be the first Finnish goalie in the PWHHL might not get that initial call either. Finland's selections are quite easy for their first six, as there is a core that the nation cannot do without.
Finland's First Six Picks: Susanna Tapani, Nelli Laitinen, Ronja Savolainen, Petra Nieminen, Michelle Karvinen, Elisa Holopainen.
Czechia
There are a variety of players Czechia could go with if they needed to make six picks. The nation has a large cohort of players in the PWHL and NCAA, this year seeing Kristyna Kaltounkova picked first overall in the PWHL Draft, and Natalie Mlynkova going shortly thereafter. Klara Peslarova looks like the starter in net, but Czechia has options there as well. The young NCAA group including Adela Sapovalivova, or even SDHL standout Sara Cajanova would be worthy picks, but expect an all-PWHL cohort.
Czechia's First Six Picks: Aneta Tejralova, Kristyna Kaltounkova, Daniela Pejsova, Tereza Vanisova, Katerina Mrazova, Denisa Krizova.
Switzerland
Switzerland continues to live and die by the sword of Alina Muller and Lara Stalder until the nation can find young reinforcements. With players like Ivana Wey and Naemi Herzig headed to the NCAA, there's hope on the horizon. If Andrea Brandli falters in net, it could be an ugly tournament for the Swiss, who will ride their starting goalie and rely on her heavily.
Switzerland's First Six Picks: Alina Muller, Lara Stalder, Lara Christen, Andrea Brandli, Nicole Vallario, Rahel Enzler.
Sweden
An ever improving nation, it would be laughable to think only a year or two ago that Hanna Olsson wouldn't be among the top players from the country picked. And they continue to get better with a slew of NCAA players incoming like Mira Jungaker, Jenna Raunio, Josefin Bouveng, and Thea Johansson, and one of whom could be tapped as an initial pick. While Emma Soderberg struggled in the PWHL, she'll be their backbone in net at the Olympics again. She'll have a deeper team in front of her than ever before. Sweden is ready to start challenging Switzerland, Czechia, and Finland in the top tier.
Sweden's First Six Picks: Maja Nylen Persson, Lina Ljungblom, Sara Hjalmarsson, Anna Kjellbin, Hilda Svensson, Emma Soderberg.
Germany
There's perhaps no better news for Germany than the fact that Sandra Abstreiter has seemingly grabbed the backup job with the PWHL's Montreal Victoire for next season. Adding to that is the promise of Laura Kluge and Nina Jobst-Smith both honing their skills in the PWHL prior to the Olympics, and Germany has some hope. There's a group of young Germans heading to North America this year, but not in time to make a dent internationally. Expect a similar hard working German team that wins and loses by committee.
Germany's First Six Picks: Laura Kluge, Nina Jobst-Smith, Sandra Abstreiter, Carina Strobel, Emily Nix, Ronja Hark.
Japan
Japan continues to hang on despite the fact they haven't been advancing players to international leagues. Japan has a skilled roster, who skate well, but they are treading water instead of skating forward. There are two massive question marks ahead for Japan that could see them suffer an unwelcomed fate at Worlds. Those question marks are in the health of forwards Akane Shiga and Haruka Toko. They'll need both to do any damage. One thing that you can guarantee facing Japan is a team of disciplined, well structured, hard working players who never quit. Japan does a solid job of domestic development despite the limitations, which has kept them among women's hockey's top nations for decades.
Japan's First Six Picks: Akane Shiga, Aoi Shiga, Rui Ukita, Mei Miura, Ayaka Hitosato, Makoto Ito.
France
France made the cut when Russia was banned. It's not the prettiest way to qualify for the Olympics, but France has competed against the World's best teams on multiple occasions in the past. Their best hope rests with the forward trio of Chloe Aurard, Estelle Duvin, and Clara Rozier, and a promising young core of NCAA players. Their blueline does not have the capability of holding off top teams, and Canadian transfer Alice Philbert will need to be a star in net.
France's First Six Picks: Chloe Aurard, Estelle Duvin, Clara Rozier, Lore Baudrit, Alice Philbert, Gabrielle De Serres.
Italy
Italy will actually have a better roster than many would predict. The followed the playbook of other host nations from the past in recruiting dual passport players from other nations. It's a list that includes longtime pros like Laura Fortina, Justine Reyes, Kayla Tutino, Jacqui Pierri, Kristen Guerriero, and Kristin Della Rovere. Along with a handful of NCAA players and solid pros from the EWHL and SWHL, this team will hold their own. SDHL Defender of the Year Nadia Mattivi and U Sports standout goalie Martina Fedel, who was the 2024 OUA Goaltender of the Year, along with Penn State rookie Matilde Fantin who led Italy in scoring at the Division 1B World Championships, will play critical roles.
Italy's First Six Picks: Nadia Mattivi, Kristin Della Rovere, Matilde Fantin, Laura Fortina, Kristen Guerriero, Martina Fedel.