Women’s Worlds Storylines: From the USA-CAN rivalry to ongoing contract negotiations

Just six months after the 2022 Winter Olympics concluded, the best women’s hockey teams return to the ice this week for the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship. It marks the first time the top division women’s world championship will be held in the Olympic year since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games.

The tournament, which runs from August 25 through September 4, is being held in Frederikshavn and Herning, Denmark. Here are a few of the biggest storylines to follow as the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship gets underway.

Canada enters the tournament as both the defending world champion and reigning Olympic gold medalist. In addition, the Canadians also took the top prize at the U18 World Championship earlier this summer.

While the Canadian roster includes 18 players that won Olympic gold six months ago — including stars Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner, and Sarah Fillier — the team has also seen some turnover since February.

Most notably, 2021 Worlds MVP Mélodie Daoust did not attend selection camp and is not on the world championship roster. Daoust suffered an injury during Canada’s first game of the Beijing Olympics and didn’t compete again until the semifinal round. Canada is also missing Natalie Spooner (who recently announced her pregnancy), Claire Thompson, and Rebecca Johnston.

Despite some of the notable names missing, Canada enters as the favorite for the 2022 world title. During a pre-tournament game vs. the U.S. on Tuesday, Canada skated away with a 3-1 win thanks to goals from Fillier, Blayre Turnbull, and world championship rookie Jessie Eldridge.

The United States, which won five straight world titles before last year’s overtime loss to Canada, will be aiming to start