Czech Olympians Eager to Face Frost Teammates in 2026 Winter Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics are just around the corner, and for Czechia’s women’s ice hockey team, it promises to be an exciting experience. This will be the country’s second appearance in the Winter Games, following their debut in Beijing in 2022, which was marked by limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Klára Hymlárová and Denisa Křížová, both forwards on the Minnesota Frost, were part of that team and are now looking forward to a more traditional Olympics experience.
Hymlárová and Křížová are eager to face their Frost teammates in the preliminary round on February 5, including Kendall Coyne Schofield and Lee Stecklein, who made a strong impression during their previous match. The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, with a capacity of 14,000, is expected to be electric with a full crowd, providing a significant contrast to the limited attendance in Beijing. As Hymlárová noted, “We didn’t really do much because of COVID, but yeah, I’m super excited, and it’s going to be nice to see how the real Olympics are.”
Tereza Vanisova of Czech Republic, left, celebrates with Denisa Krizova of Czech Republic after scoring her sides third goal during the quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Switzerland at the Women’s Ice Hockey Championships in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
PWHL Olympians by Nation
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) is well-represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with 40 players from seven nations participating. The United States has the largest contingent, with 16 players, followed by Czechia with 8 players. Hymlárová and Křížová are looking forward to facing their Frost teammates, saying, “Hopefully we’ll surprise them.” The full list of PWHL Olympians by nation is as follows:
United States (16): Forwards: Hannah Bilka (SEA), Alex Carpenter (SEA), Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN), Britta Curl-Salemme (MIN), Taylor Heise (MIN), Hilary Knight (SEA), Kelly Pannek (MIN), Hayley Scamurra (MTL), Grace Zumwinkle (MIN); Defenders: Cayla Barnes (SEA), Rory Guilday (OTT), Megan Keller (BOS), Lee Stecklein (MIN), Haley Winn (BOS); Goaltenders: Aerin Frankel (BOS), Gwyneth Philips (OTT).
Czechia (8): Forwards: Klára Hymlárová (MIN), Kristýna Kaltounková (NY), Denisa Křížová (MIN), Natálie Mlýnková (MTL), Kateřina Mrázová (OTT), Tereza Vanišová (VAN); Defenders: Daniela Pejšová (BOS), Aneta Tejralová (SEA).
Finland (4): Forwards: Michelle Karvinen (VAN), Susanna Tapani (BOS); Defender: Ronja Savolainen (OTT) Goaltender: Sanni Ahola (OTT).
Germany (3): Forward: Laura Kluge (BOS); Defender: Nina Jobst-Smith (VAN); Goaltender: Sandra Abstreiter (MTL).
Italy (1): Forward: Kristin Della Rovere (TOR).
Switzerland (2): Forward: Alina Müller (BOS); Defender: Nicole Vallario (NY).
Sweden (4): Forwards: Sara Hjalmarsson (TOR), Lina Ljungblom (MTL); Defenders: Anna Kjellbin (TOR), Maja Nylén-Persson (NY).
For more information on the 2026 Winter Olympics and the Czech women’s ice hockey team, visit Here
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