PWHL season opener featuring Austria’s two leading lights, Meixner and Schafzahl

Theresa Schafzahl is entering her second season with Boston Fleet, having made history for her team last year by scoring the organisation’s very first goal in the new league. Over recent months, the 24-year-old has primarily been preparing for the new season in Montreal, where she was also completing her Master’s degree: “There was a relatively large training group there, made up of players from the region and many who play for Montreal. It was great that I was able to train with them. The standard was very high. That has already prepared me well for the season.”

She and her Boston team-mates were already put through their paces at the team camp: “The first training sessions are always a little tougher because you are not quite used to the game speed yet, and the coaches put us through tougher drills to prepare us well.”

But now the new campaign can finally get under way. The Styrian’s excitement is palpable, although her experience from last season means she is approaching matters more calmly. The big goal is the title: “We want to win the championship. We finished second last year, so there is a lot of motivation for us to challenge right at the top again this year and hopefully win the title.” On a personal level, Theresa Schafzahl wants to take on a more responsible role within the team, earn more ice time and have a greater impact on the game.

Anna Meixner is the second Austrian in the PWHL

Following the final pre-season game a week ago against Montreal Victoire (a 3:6 defeat), Ottawa Charge made their final roster cut. Anna Meixner made the team and is full of anticipation for the challenges ahead: “The final part of pre-season went really well for me. The past two weeks in camp have been very intense. I have gained a huge number of new impressions, got to know the team and the surroundings. Everyone has welcomed me brilliantly. I already feel very comfortable in Ottawa. The excitement is building. The first game in Montreal is sold out and we will play in front of more than 10.000 spectators. It will certainly be something very special. I am looking forward to it and will make sure I enjoy every moment as much as possible.”

As with her national team colleague, Ottawa’s goal for the season is also the “championship” and, therefore, winning the Walter Cup: “Everyone who plays ice hockey or takes part in a team sport is aiming for gold, not silver or bronze. We have a really strong team with four balanced lines and outstanding goaltenders. If we give everything in every game, there is a great deal possible for us.”

Schafzahl and Meixner – two players who serve as role models

Theresa Schafzahl and Anna Meixner are full professionals, making their living solely from ice hockey. In Austria, they are leading lights and role models. They are both roles they are happy to embrace, Anna Meixner: “I definitely see myself as a role model for other girls in Austria. When I think back, I only had male role models. It is nice that this is changing, and being able to take on this role makes me very proud.”

“Seeing myself as a role model always feels a little strange to me. But I certainly hope that I can take on that role. I myself used to look up to players who made the move to North America or Sweden. I hope that, through my role, young players can see that there is always an opportunity to make it to the best league,” says Theresa Schafzahl.

The two also very much serve as trailblazers for future players. The commitment of both players, along with that of numerous other European players, means that coaches and scouts are keeping their eyes open for new talent in almost every European league.

Olympic qualifying with Meixner and Schafzahl

As things stand, the Austrian camp can look forward to the support of both players for the Olympic qualifying tournament coming up in February. Both players have confirmed their availability, Theresa Schafzahl: “Provided I am not injured or anything else happens, I will definitely be there. Fortunately, the league will be taking a break during that period.”

Anna Meixner: “Representing my country in the national team and leading it as captain is a great honour for me. I spoke to the coaching staff early on about wanting to attend every national team camp whenever possible. I will definitely be there for the Olympic qualifiers in February and the World Championship.”

League opener on Saturday

The best women’s ice hockey league in the world begins its second season on Saturday. Anna Meixner’s Ottawa Charge will open their regular season, comprising a total of 30 games, away to Montréal Victoire at Place Bell Arena in Laval, Quebec, from 23:00 Central European Time (17:00 local time).

ÖEHV captain Anna Meixner scored a goal and added an assist in her Ottawa Charge debut in the preseason game against Boston Fleet on 21 November. Meixner spent a total of 10:54 on the ice and recorded a +2 plus/minus rating.

After Schafzahl, Meixner became the second Austrian to be drafted into the PWHL in June 2024, when Ottawa selected her 32nd overall. At the end of June, Ottawa signed the ÖEHV forward and captain to a one-year contract. Schafzahl was drafted by Boston at No. 39 last year and has established herself at the Massachusetts state capital club.

Theresa Schafzahl was held scoreless for Boston Fleet in the first meeting between two Austrians in the North American professional league during preseason, despite 13:42 of ice time, but fired three shots on the opposition goal. In early January, Schafzahl scored the first PWHL goal for her club, PWHL Boston, in her first appearance as a professional ice hockey player, writing club history in the process.

The new season also begins for Schafzahl on Saturday, with Boston Fleet taking on Toronto Sceptres away at Coca-Cola Coliseum from 20:00 Central European Time (14:00 local time). In the inaugural season, the Styrian recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 20 regular-season games and added three assists in eight playoff games.

All information on the official PWHL website