Switzerland women's national under-18 ice hockey team
Swiss women's U18 national ice hockey team, organized by SIHF.
The Swiss women’s national under-18 ice hockey team is one of the country’s two national under-18 squads. It is run by the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF) and competes for Switzerland at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and other international events.
At the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, the team is led by head coach Melanie Häfliger, with assistant coaches Colin Muller, Evelina Raselli, and goaltender coach Silvano Brasi. The squad’s average age is 16, average height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in), and average weight 61 kg (134 lb).
The head coach history for top-division tournaments includes Jorg Toggwiler (2008, 2009), Dominik Schar (2010–D1, 2011, 2012), Georgios Mourouzidis (2013–D1, 2014–D1A), Andrea Kroni (2015, 2016, 2017), Steve Huard (2018, 2019), Florence Schelling (2020), and Melanie Häfliger (2021–2025). Only two players have served as team captain for more than one U18 World Championship: Sarah Forster (2010, 2011) and Naemi Herzig (2024, 2025).
In top-division tournaments, Alina Müller was named Best Forward in 2016, and Saskia Maurer won Best Goaltender in 2019. Media-selected All-Star Team honors went to Alina Müller (forward, 2016) and Saskia Maurer (goaltender, 2019). Coaches’ selections for Top-3 Players on Team include Sophie Anthamatten, Laura Benz, and Sara Benz (2008); Sophie Anthamatten, Laura Benz, and Evelina Raselli (2009); Tamara Klossner and Lara Stalder (2011); Phoebe Stänz, Nicole Gubler, and Isabel Waidacher (2012); Tess Allemann, Andrea Brändli, and Alina Müller (2015); Rahel Enzler, Alina Müller, and Shannon Sigrist (2016); Saskia Maurer, Lisa Rüedi, and Noemi Ryhner (2017); Rahel Enzler, Lisa Rüedi, and Stefanie Wetli (2018); Lara Christen, Saskia Maurer, and Alicia Pagnamenta (2019); Lara Christen, Emma Ingold, and Caroline Spies (2020); Alessia Baechler, Alina Marti, and Alena Lynn Rossel (2022); Alessia Baechler, Talina Benderer, and Ivana Wey (2023); Talina Benderer, Sonja Inkamp, and Ivana Wey (2024); and Naemi Herzig, Sonja Inkamp, and Norina Müller (2025).
In Division 1 tournaments, Lara Stalder was named Best Defenseman (2010), Sara Benz Best Forward (2010), Alina Müller Best Forward (2013, 2014), Andrea Brändli Best Goaltender (2014), and coaches selected Karin Williner (defense, 2013) and Dominique Rüegg (forward, 2014) as Best Player on Team.
Quick Facts
- Association
- Schweizerischer Eishockeyverband
- General Manager
- Lars Weibel
- Coach
- Melanie Häfliger
- Asst Coach
- Colin Muller · Evelina Raselli · Silvano Brasi
- Captain
- Naemi Herzig (2025)
- Most Games
- Karin Williner (22)
- Top Scorer
- Alina Müller (24)
- Most Points
- Alina Müller (33)
- Iihf Code
- SUI
- Team Colors
- #d81e05 #ffffff #000000
- First Game
- SWE 4 – 1 SUI · (Calgary, Canada; January 7, 2008)
- Largest Win
- SUI 15 – 1 KAZ · (Piestany, Slovakia; April 3, 2010)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The team has competed in the IIHF U18 Women's World Championship since 2008, with head coaches including Jorg Toggwiler, Dominik Schar, Georgios Mourouzidis, Andrea Kroni, Steve Huard, Florence Schelling, and Melanie Häfliger. Häfliger has served as head coach from 2021 through 2025. The team has also participated in Division 1 tournaments in 2010, 2013, and 2014. Only two players have served as captain for more than one tournament: Sarah Forster (2010, 2011) and Naemi Herzig (2024, 2025).
Reader's Guide
The Switzerland women's national under-18 ice hockey team serves as a development pathway for young female players, with several alumni earning individual honors at the U18 World Championship. Alina Müller was named Best Forward in 2016 (Top Division) and also in 2013 and 2014 (Division 1). Saskia Maurer was named Best Goaltender in 2019. Lara Stalder was named Best Defenseman in Division 1 in 2010. The team's top players have been recognized by coaches through the Top-3 Players on Team awards, with multiple players appearing multiple times, such as Lara Christen (2019, 2020) and Ivana Wey (2023, 2024). The team's 2025 roster had an average age of 16, height of 1.67 m, and weight of 61 kg.
Did You Know?
- The team is one of two national under-18 ice hockey teams of Switzerland.
- Melanie Häfliger has been head coach from 2021 through 2025.
- Alina Müller won Best Forward honors in both Top Division (2016) and Division 1 (2013, 2014).
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