PWHL Players Represent Six European Countries in the 2026 Olympics
Canada vs Slovakia at Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010. Photo credits: Kris Krüg
Written By Josie Dinonsie
Six different European nations will be represented by players from the PWHL at the first Winter Olympic Games since the league was founded. Twenty-two international players will wear their national jerseys on the global stage.
The PWHL is proving its global impact, a major success for such a new league. As players head to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, it is clear women’s professional hockey is no longer showcased only in North America. The Games will be held Feb. 5–19, highlighting the league’s widespread talent, with all eight teams featuring at least one player from a European nation in Milan.
Rosters were officially finalized this week, confirming that the European nations represented by PWHL players are Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Finland and Czechia. These selections reinforce the league’s role as an international stage for women’s hockey and reflect the success the PWHL has achieved in its first three seasons.
Sweden (4): Sara Hjalmarsson (Toronto), Lina Ljungblom (Montreal), Anna Kjellbin (Toronto), Maja Nylen-Persson (New York)
Switzerland (2): Alina Müller (Boston), Nicole Vallario (New York)
Italy (1): Kristin Della Rovere (Toronto)
Germany (3): Laura Kluge (Boston), Nina Jobst-Smith (Vancouver), Sandra Abstreiter (Montreal)
Finland (4): Michelle Karvinen (Vancouver), Susanna Tapani (Boston), Ronja Savolainen (Ottawa), Sanni Ahola (Ottawa)
Czechia (8): Klára Hymlárová (Minnesota), Kristýna Kaltounková (New York), Denisa Křížová (Minnesota), Natálie Mlýnková (Montreal), Kateřina Mrázová (Ottawa), Tereza Vanišová (Vancouver), Daniela Pejšová (Boston), Aneta Tejralová (Seattle)
Sixteen players are returning to the Olympics for at least a second time, while six will make their Olympic debuts. Vancouver forward Michelle Karvinen has the most Olympic experience, entering her fifth Games with Finland.
Czechia forward and PWHL goals leader Kristýna Kaltounková of the New York Sirens is among those competing in her first Olympics. The 2025 first overall pick is eager to represent her country and believes the PWHL will have a strong impact on the tournament.
“Representing my home country, wearing that jersey, it’s always very, very special. It’s such a pride to wear that,” Kaltounková said.
“The PWHL brings a lot of high skill and competition into international play,” she said. “I think it just shows how strong the PWHL is because we have so many representatives from each country playing.”
The number of nations represented by PWHL players, particularly outside North America, shows women’s hockey is developing worldwide. The level of play and talent continues to grow, marking a significant step forward for the sport and its expansion.
As the league continues to grow, the presence of players from six European nations at the Olympics reinforces that the PWHL is not only international, but globally influential and credible.
The preliminary round begins Feb. 5 and will feature games from all 10 women’s teams within the first two days of competition.
The PWHL officially paused for the Olympic break Wednesday and will not resume play until Feb. 26. When play returns, roughly half of the regular-season schedule will remain before the playoffs.
