2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship Divison II, Group A Preview
Gaining promotion is very much on the thoughts of the coaching staff and the players of Great Britain’s women’s team.
Silver medals in 2018 and 2019 were tinged with disappointment.
Since then, the Covid19 pandemic has led to the last two tournaments being cancelled.
The recent Olympic Qualifying tournament hosted in Nottingham provided optimism for the future.
They came within a solitary goal of progressing to the final stage of qualifying with an impressive victory against Korea.
Proceeding that was an emphatic victory against Iceland and a 2-1 loss to Slovenia in which they were ‘goalied’ to a degree, along with missing several great scoring chances.
There are certainly worse places in the world than Jaca, Spain to compete in an IIHF World Championships and GB will doubtless enjoy their scenic home for the next week.
It will be all business in the colder surroundings of Pabellon de Hielo as Great Britain will look to win gold and promotion on the ice.
There are just four opponents following the withdrawal of DRP Korea.
Latvia, Mexico, Chinese Taipei and hosts Spain comprise the group, seeded 29th, 25th, 26th and 24th respectively.
Great Britain is seeded 23rd in the world so are marginal favourites on paper despite such little action in the women’s game the past two seasons.
Head Coach Mike Clancy has been blessed with a huge pool of players to select from.
The reserves list for this tournament tells its own story.
Goaltenders: Michelle Franklin (Solihull Vixens), Emma Nichols (Södertälje SK, Sweden), Holly Steeples (CHH Txuri Urdin, Spain).
Defense: Beth Scoon (Kingston Diamonds), Kaitlyn Morrison (Belfast Giants).
Forwards: CJ Ashton (Kingston Diamonds/Altrincham Aces), Grace Garbett (Solihull Vixens), Charlotte Harris (Ontario Hockey Academy, Canada), Isabell Whiteley (Steatham).
Clancy has picked a side full of international experience, with only Emily Harris set to make her debut after making 15 appearances at the junior level.
The exciting young GB star has had a great NCAA II campaign with Castleton University.
In her sophomore season, Harris scored nine goals and added eight assists in 26 games.
Saffron Allen once again wears the ‘C’ and will be assisted by Beth Hill and Jodie Bloom.
Goaltenders
Ella Howard – University of Calgary, Canada
Nicole Jackson – Göteborg HC, Sweden
Defense
Lucy Beal – Hoosac School, USA
Jodie Bloom – Solihull Vixens/Coventry Blaze
Beth Hill – Guildford Lightning
Sarah Hutchinson – Solihull Vixens/Altrincham Aces
Abbie Sylvester – Queen Bees/Chelmsford Warriors
Casey Traill – Whitley Bay Beacons
Ellie Wakeling – Queen Bees/Chelmsford Warriors
Forwards
Louise Adams – Guildford Lightning
Saffron Allen – Solihull Vixens
Rachel Cartwright – Queen Bees
Abigail Culshaw – Whitley Bay Beacons/Bradford Bulldogs
Katherine Gale – Queen Bees
Emily Harris – Castleton University, USA
Aimee Headland – Norwich University, USA
Chloe Headland – Harvard University Women’s Club Team, USA
Katie Henry – Solihull Vixens
Chamonix Jackson – Solihull Vixens/Nottingham Cougars
Katie Marsden – Kingston Diamonds/Hull Jets
Chrissy Newman – Queen Bees
Stephanie Towns – Whitley Bay Beacons
Head Coach, Mike Clancy, said: “Naming the squad was an unbelievable challenge this time round.”
“With the depth of players we have now, it has been really, really difficult and there’s some great players not attending this World Championship.”
Schedule (all times listed are BST)
April 03 (15:00)
Great Britain v Chinese Taipei
April 05 (19:00)
Great Britain v Spain
April 07 (15:00)
Great Britain v Mexico
April 08 (15:00)
Great Britain v Latvia
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