Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships
The Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships is an international tournament held annually for female ice hockey players under the age of 18. The tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), features teams from around the world competing for the title of world champion. The tournament has grown in popularity in recent years, drawing larger crowds and more media coverage each year.
Tournament Format
The Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships consists of two divisions: the top-tier Division I and the second-tier Division II. Each division is further split into two groups, with teams playing a round-robin format within their respective group. The top teams from each group in Division I advance to the medal round and compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medals. The same format is applied in Division II. Each game consists of three 20-minute periods with a 15-minute intermission between the second and third periods.
History
The first Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships was held in 2008 in Calgary, Canada. The tournament featured eight teams, including Canada, the United States, Finland, and Russia. Canada won the gold medal in the inaugural tournament, with the United States earning the silver and Finland taking home the bronze. The tournament has been held annually since then, with the location changing each year. The United States has won the gold medal four times, while Canada has won it six times.
Recent Tournaments
The most recent Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships was held in 2020 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The tournament featured eight teams in Division I and six teams in Division II. Canada won the gold medal in Division I, defeating the United States in the final. Sweden won the gold medal in Division II, defeating China in the final.
The 2021 Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships was scheduled to be held in Linköping, Sweden, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022 in the same location.
USA Women's U18 Ice Hockey Team
The USA Women's U18 Ice Hockey Team is one of the top teams in the tournament, having won the gold medal four times (2008, 2009, 2011, and 2015). The team has also won three silver medals and one bronze medal. The team is coached by Joel Johnson and features some of the best young players from around the United States. Many players on the team go on to play for top college programs and eventually the U.S. Women's National Team.
Conclusion
The Women's U18 World Ice Hockey Championships is an important tournament for young female ice hockey players from around the world. The tournament provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills on an international stage and compete for a world championship. With the tournament growing in popularity and drawing larger crowds each year, it is clear that women's ice hockey is becoming more and more popular around the world.