IIHF U18 Women's World Championship: 2025 Team Roster and Legacy
The 2025 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship brings together a talented group of young athletes poised to make their mark on international ice hockey. Led by a dedicated coaching staff and a diverse roster of players, the team blends youthful energy with strategic discipline to compete at the highest level of under-18 competition.
The squad is guided by Head Coach Mira Kuisma, supported by Assistant Coaches Heikki Kemppainen, Juho Lehto, and goaltender specialist Aku Perala. Together, they manage a roster characterized by a strong presence from Team Kuortane and various regional clubs.
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Key Facts
- Head Coach: Mira Kuisma.
- Average Player Age: 16 years old.
- Average Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in).
- Average Weight: 64 kg (141 lb).
- Team Captain: Abigail Byskata.
- Alternate Captains: Elli Pohjanaho and Vilma Nurmisto.
2025 Current Roster
The roster is composed of goaltenders (G), defensemen (D), and forwards (F), representing a wide array of clubs including HIFK Helsinki, Kärpät Oulu, and TPS Turku. The team's physical profile is balanced, with heights ranging from 1.48 m to 1.75 m.
| No. | Name | Pos. | Height | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerttu Kuja-Halkola | G | 1.74 m | 70 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 2 | Nelly Andersson | D | 1.61 m | 85 kg | HIFK Helsinki |
| 3 | Neea Ketola | D | 1.66 m | 66 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 4 | Oona Hämäläinen | D | 1.63 m | 75 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 8 | Katariina Junnila | D | 1.74 m | 64 kg | Löwen Frankfurt U17 |
| 9 | Viola Kärkkäinen | D | 1.69 m | 62 kg | Pohti Pyhäjärvi U15 |
| 10 | Fanny Kyrkkö | D | 1.60 m | 54 kg | HC Nokia U15 |
| 11 | Viivi-Maija Ruonakoski | D | 1.67 m | 69 kg | Kärpät Oulu |
| 12 | Elli Pohjanaho | D | 1.65 m | 77 kg | HC Nokia U15 |
| 13 | Yenna Kolmonen | F | 1.67 m | 62 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 15 | Siiri Friederiksen | F | 1.58 m | 64 kg | TPS Turku |
| 16 | Ella Hautala | F | 1.70 m | 67 kg | Kärpät Oulu |
| 18 | Emmi Loponen | F | 1.65 m | 64 kg | Kiekko Laser |
| 19 | Tuulianna Artti | F | 1.57 m | 48 kg | KJT Haukat U15 |
| 20 | Vilma Nurmisto | F | 1.68 m | 59 kg | TPS Turku |
| 21 | Jannika Sten | F | 1.74 m | 72 kg | Pelicans Lahti U16 |
| 22 | Senja Siivonen | F | 1.69 m | 63 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 23 | Minea Huovinen | F | 1.48 m | 46 kg | Kiekko-75 Leppävirta |
| 24 | Julia Kuhta | F | 1.75 m | 60 kg | HIFK Helsinki |
| 25 | Abigail Byskata | F | 1.53 m | 62 kg | Team Kuortane |
| 27 | Eva Lamberg | F | 1.62 m | 58 kg | HPK Hämeenlinna |
| 28 | Tinja Tapani | F | 1.62 m | 54 kg | Lukko Rauma |
| 29 | Sara Loikkanen | F | 1.58 m | 50 kg | HIFK Helsinki |
| 30 | Annika Saastamoinen | G | 1.70 m | 78 kg | RoKi Rovaniemi |
| 31 | Emilia Piekkari | G | 1.63 m | 63 kg | Team Kuortane |
World Championship Player Awards and History
The program has a rich history of producing elite talent recognized by the tournament directorate and media. Over the years, several players have earned the distinction of being named the best in their respective positions.
Individual Directorate Awards
- Best Defenseman: Nelli Laitinen (2020).
- Best Forward: Elisa Holopainen (2019).
- Best Goaltender: Isabella Portnoj (2011) and Emilia Kyrkkö (2022).
All-Star Team Selections
Media-selected All-Star teams have highlighted standout performers across different eras, including Emma Nuutinen (2013), Elisa Holopainen and Nelli Laitinen (2019), Sanni Rantala (2020), Emilia Kyrkkö and Sanni Vanhanen (2022), Pauliina Salonen (2023), and most recently Emma Ekoluoma and Tuuli Tallinen (2024).
Top-3 Players by Coach Selection
Coaches have consistently identified the core drivers of the team's success. Notable recent selections include Kerttu Kuja-Halkola, Eva Lamberg, and Tinja Tapani for 2025, following the 2024 trio of Emma Ekoluoma, Tuuli Tallinen, and Kerttu Kuja-Halkola.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the head coach for the 2025 team?
The head coach for the 2025 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship team is Mira Kuisma.
Who serves as the captain of the 2025 roster?
Abigail Byskata serves as the team captain (C), with Elli Pohjanaho and Vilma Nurmisto acting as alternate captains (A).
What is the average age of the players on the current roster?
The average age of the players on the 2025 roster is 16 years old.
Which players were selected as the top three for 2025 by the coaches?
The coaches selected Kerttu Kuja-Halkola (G), Eva Lamberg (F), and Tinja Tapani (F) as the top three players for 2025.
Who has won the Best Goaltender award in the past?
The Best Goaltender award, selected by the tournament directorate, was won by Isabella Portnoj in 2011 and Emilia Kyrkkö in 2022.