Norway Is Rising In Women's Hockey

Visit forestarrow.rest for more information.

The nation is also rising in the calibre of skill development that is beginning to pay dividends internationally, and sending players to higher levels.

There has yet to be a Norwegian player to compete in the PWHL, but it's coming. It almost happened last season when the Ottawa Charge signed Norwegian national team standout Emma Bergesen. Bergesen, however, was cut in training camp and returned to Sweden to play in the SDHL.

Netminder Ena Nystrom will be in the PWHL whenever she decides, and there are a number of teams who she'd benefit in the crease in a backup or tandem position. 

Another other veterans including Andrea Dalen and Matthea Fischer would be capable of depth roles as well.

The present of Norway's women's hockey has gained strength, but the future is brighter. Norway has reported a 74% increase in girls and women's hockey registrations since 2021 rising from 2,987 to 5,191 nationally.

With more players coming in, and Norway's ice hockey federation making changes to their development plans, including implementing body checking for girls and women at various levels, the calibre and skill level of women's hockey in Norway is on the rise.

Last season there were only two Norwegian players competing in the NCAA, where other contributors for their national team, like Millie Sirum Rose have come through recently. Those players, Silje Gundersen and Ida Haave are set to enter their third and second seasons of NCAA hockey next year at Lindenwood and Delaware respectively.

Silje Gunderson highlights

Lindenwood is adding more Norwegian women next season with Thea Rustbakken, Tilde Simensen, and Tiril Arntzen. All three have already represented Norway's senior national team. Maine will add national team member Oda Bruland Austefjord, while Long Island is bringing in Malene Tjomsland.

It will bring Norway's NCAA presence to seven players next season, giving them a larger number of players competing at a high level in North America than ever before. 

And there are other young players coming like teenagers Kajsa Braten, Miriam Toet-Uddveg, Tuva Are-Ekström, Nikoline Østeraas, Mille Are-Ekström, Aurora Winther-Johannessen, Tyra Knedal Sawyer, Sofia Omdal Nagel, and Elvira Stavnes.

Read full story at source