The 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship is much bigger news this year than it has ever been.
The United States Women’s National Team’s recent public battle with USA Hockey resulted in a significant agreement for the future of the women representing the United States in international competition.
On the Canadian side, Hockey Canada’s women took the ice without long-time captain Hayley Wickenheiser, who hung up her national team skates at age 37. The Canadian women also welcomed two-time Olympic gold medal goaltender Shannon Szabados back to international competition.
The Canadian women faced a buzzsaw in their first game, with the Americans riding the confidence of their political victory and widespread public support, as well as an overall advantage in team speed and a system to take advantage of it.