Sarah Hodges: Cana­dian know-how for the Olympic dream

Just over three years ago, in autumn 2021, they fell agonisingly short. Germany were beaten 3:0 in the opener, but the 0:1 defeat to Denmark in the second game ultimately proved to be the stumbling block. “Back then, we became a little nervous when it was in our own hands,” reflects Tamara Grascher.

This year, things are meant to be different. Germany, Hungary and Slovakia represent “three tough opponents”, as Selma Luggin puts it. At the same time, the team believes anything is possible in the qualifier. Nothing is to be left to chance.

They were therefore able to bring in Sarah Hodges as an advisor to support the coaching staff. Sarah Hodges was the first head coach in the history of women's ice hockey at the University of Regina and led the team from its foundation in 1998 until the 2023-24 season. She was behind the bench for 588 regular-season games, a Canada West record. She led the University of Regina to the postseason in 21 of its 25 campaigns and won the “Cougars'” first Conference Championship in 2001.

In 2016, she was named Canada West´s Coach of the Year. Before her coaching career, Hodges played for Dartmouth College (NCAA Div. I) from 1992-96 and recorded 75 goals and 71 assists across her four seasons with the Big Green. In her final season, 1995-96, Hodges was team captain and was named to the All-Ivy First Team. She was also a member of Dartmouth's athletics team, specialising in the javelin throw.

Her full attention is currently on the Austrian national team. What the Canadian has seen so far gives her cause for optimism: “There are many committed players on the ice who really want this. The level is high; they know how to play the game. I am working with the entire team and the entire staff to take the next step. They are on the right track. It just needs a little push, and I hope I can provide it.”

Hodges is currently working primarily with the defence and on special teams for penalty killing. She sees the biggest difference between Canada and Austria in their drive to the net: “In Europe, there is more patience with the puck. In Canada, you go straight to the net. We need a combination of both: patience to keep the puck and the aggression to win it and drive straight to the net.”

From the Canadian's perspective, facing hosts and favourites Germany in the opening game of the Olympic qualifier is an advantage: “We need to play them early. In that respect, it is good that we face Germany right at the start. The qualifier as a whole will be difficult, but it is manageable.”

The staff is completed by Brigitte Furlani. The Italian works with the national team on the mental side of the game.

General Manager Martin Kogler: “Sarah and Brigitte bring in new elements that we had been lacking until now. It quickly became apparent that the intensity of training has increased.”

With regard to the Olympic qualifier, Kogler adds: “We know it will be extremely difficult. Anything can happen in this group. That is precisely why it is important that everything possible is done behind the scenes to ensure the athletes can perform at their best, so that we can achieve the big goal together.”

2025 WOMEN'S FINAL OLYMPIC ICE HOCKEY QUALIFICATION, GROUP I

06 February - 09 February 2025
Hosts: Germany
Participants: Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary

Schedule

THURSDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2025

Hungary vs. Slovakia
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 16:00

Germany vs. Austria
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 19:30

SATURDAY, 08 FEBRUARY 2025

Slovakia vs. Germany
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 14:30

Hungary vs. Austria
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 18:00

SUNDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2025

Austria vs. Slovakia
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 14:30

Germany vs. Hungary
Eisarena Bremerhaven, 18:00

All information on the official IIHF website