Preview: 2025 U18 IIHF Women’s World Championship

When the puck dropped in Zug, Switzerland, last January, few could have predicted the seismic shift that was about to take place in the world of U18 women’s hockey. Yet by the time the final horn sounded, Czechia had written a script so extraordinary it would go down in history as one of the tournament’s most memorable runs.

In the semi-finals, the Czechs shocked the hockey world with an electrifying 4-2 victory over perennial powerhouse Canada, marking their first-ever win against the defending champions. Outshot 47-12, Czechia relied on the otherworldly goaltending of Aneta Šenkova and a relentless top line featuring captain Adéla Šapovalivová, Anežka Cabelová, and Tereza Plosová. It was a game where sheer willpower and unity outmatched overwhelming odds. “We played with heart,” said Šapovalivová, reflecting on the historic win that sent her team to their first gold-medal game.

Emerging Talent Linda Vocetková - Djurgårdens

That victory alone could have defined the tournament, but it was only the beginning. Czechia’s Cinderella story, however, didn’t conclude with a gold-medal fairy tale. Despite falling 5-1 to the United States in the final, the silver medal was a landmark achievement for a team that had never reached beyond bronze in its history. For Šapovalivová and her teammates, the tournament wasn’t just a battle for medals—it was a statement.

Now, as the hockey world turns its attention to the 2025 U18 Women’s World Championship in Finland, all eyes will be on Czechia to see if they can build on their historic success. The tournament will take place at the Tikkurila Arena in Vantaa, marking the first time since 2013 that Finland hosts this prestigious event.

Can the Czechs replicate last year’s magic? Will they manufacture another fearless top line and deliver a dominant performance? And most importantly, how will they handle the pressure of no longer being underdogs but legitimate contenders? The stage is set for another chapter in this rising program’s remarkable story.

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CWHR Key Storylines

Johanna Tischler - One of 12 players developing outside of Czechia

1. Leadership Changes: Last year, Adéla Šapovalivová captained the team and was the heartbeat of the squad, leading with both her performance and charisma. Her graduation from the U18 level leaves a major gap in leadership and scoring. This year, a new core of leaders will need to emerge, with returning players expected to step up and fill gaps where rising talent once stood. This includes players like Linda Vocetková, Viktorie Jílková, and Barbora Prošková.

2. Returnees vs. Departures: Notable returnees include Adéla Fromová (defender) and Linda Vocetková (forward). Fromová’s strong defensive presence and Vocetková’s offensive contributions will need to help anchor the team. Departures of key players like Šapovalivová, Tereza Plosová, and Anežka Cabelová significantly impact the team’s top line, which drove much of Czechia’s offense last year.

   This year’s roster features several players competing in fantastic development programs abroad, including Johanna Tischler and Šarlota Stýblová, who are gaining experience at the famed Ontario Hockey Academy in Canada. Julie Jebousková (Shattuck-St. Mary’s), Adéla Pánková (Pittsburgh Pens Elite), and Tereza Gildainová (Lovell Academy) also bring exposure to North American playing styles, which will add significant experience.

3. Goaltending: Last year, the Czech team was fortified by an exceptional goaltending performance from Aneta Šenkova. Now playing with the AAA program in Kingston, Ontario, and committed to Clarkson University, Šenkova will not be the defensive cornerstone for the Czechs this year. Instead, the team will rely on one of their three young, relatively unknown goaltenders for the upcoming tournament.

   The likely frontrunner is Anna Horáková, the sole goaltender playing abroad with the EC Graz Huskies in Austria. However, if the statistics on hokej.cz are accurate, Daniela Nováková might be a strong contender, boasting a clean sheet and a .954 save percentage with the U18 team this year.

   Regardless of who takes the helm, if the Czechs aim to replicate last year's success, their goaltending must be equally stellar. There is a clear pipeline of goaltending talent emerging within the Czech National Program, and it will be fascinating to see who steps up as the next young star in net.

4. International Youth: This year's roster boasts an increased number of players participating in international development programs across Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the U.S., with 12 players compared to 10 last year. This kind of growth is so awesome to see, and it drives home the excitement and significance of young Czech players making a substantial impact in global hockey pipelines. The experience gained from these international programs could help offset the loss of last year's veterans.

   The team will kick off their U18 tournament with a pre-tournament exhibition against Team USA on Wednesday, a rematch of last January's Gold Medal game. As the Czech hockey community eagerly anticipates the outcome of this year's tournament, we are also preparing for an exciting week of covering the future stars and talents, some of whom will undoubtedly become household names in the years to come.