Women’s national team begin World Championship preparations in Slovakia
Austria will face Slovakia, the Netherlands and Italy at a Four Nations Tournament. The training week will also provide valuable space for further dialogue in person.
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Austria’s senior women’s national team travelled to Slovakia with association partner G&K Reisen on Monday for a training camp. The ÖEHV women will complete two training sessions on both Tuesday and Wednesday before competing in a Four Nations Tournament in Bardejov from Thursday to Saturday. The tournament will be available via livestream. Further information can be found on the website of our Slovak colleagues and on the ÖEHV’s social media channels.
Schedule:
- Thursday, 5:00 pm: Austria vs Slovakia
- Friday, 1:00 pm: Austria vs Netherlands
- Saturday, 10:30 am: Austria vs Italy
The 21-player squad will be led by Assistant Coaches Sarah Hodges and Mario Bellina. Head Coach Alexander Bröms was unable to attend the start of the camp due to a family bereavement, but hopes to join the group in the coming days and complete a successful week with the nine-member staff. The group also includes a new goaltending coach for the first time. Pierre Groulx brings 15 years of NHL experience, has worked with goaltending greats Martin Brodeur (Team Canada) and Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens), and has coached in the PWHL since 2024.
The week is not only important from a sporting perspective and in preparation for the top-division World Championship in Denmark from 6–16 November. Following public criticism from several national-team players, the camp in Slovakia also provides a valuable opportunity to continue the dialogue in person and on equal terms, with the aim of reaching a factual and respectful resolution.
The association has emphasised its strong interest in continuing to work together on the ongoing development of women’s ice hockey despite the current tensions. Escalation would not be constructive in this situation. Any matter involving several parties has different perspectives, circumstances and approaches. The ÖEHV is not seeking escalation, but constructive discussions and solutions in the interests of Austrian ice hockey.
This continued willingness to engage explicitly extends not only to the national-team players currently in Slovakia, but also to those who are not taking part in the present camp.
Yasmin Sarina Stepina (ÖEHV Vice-President): ‘Our shared goal is clear: to represent Austria at the top-division World Championship in Denmark. The camp and tournament in Slovakia are an important step in our preparations. Open dialogue with the players is equally important to me, and I am convinced that together we can create a strong foundation for the future of women’s ice hockey.’
