IIHF Women's World Championship Awards and History
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championship stands as the premier global competition for women's ice hockey. First contested in 1990, the tournament has evolved into a cornerstone of the sport, showcasing the highest level of skill and athleticism from the world's top athletes.
The competition is held annually during non-Olympic years, a schedule that became standardized in 1997. The "top division" features the nine highest-ranked countries in the world, ensuring that every game is a clash of elite talent.
Key Facts
- Inception: The tournament first took place in 1990.
- Frequency: Held annually, except during Olympic years.
- Top Division: Comprised of the nine highest-ranked nations.
- Voting Process: Awards are decided by the IIHF directorate, consisting of one representative from each participating nation.
- Cancellations: The event was cancelled in 2003 due to the SARS outbreak and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing Excellence: The IIHF Awards
Following the gold medal game of each tournament, the IIHF honors the most outstanding performers. These accolades recognize individual brilliance across different positions on the ice. The primary awards include the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Top Forward, Top Defenseman, and Top Goaltender.
While these awards have been a staple of the championship, their presentation has varied slightly over the decades; for instance, they were not presented following the 1997 tournament.
Legendary Performers
Certain players have left an indelible mark on the tournament's history. For example, Canadian star Hayley Wickenheiser has been recognized as the Top Forward twice and named the Most Valuable Player once. Similarly, Finland's Jenni Hiirikoski has dominated the Top Defenseman category across multiple tournaments.
Historical Award Winners
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the players who have earned the highest individual honors since the tournament's inception.
| Year | Best Goalie | Best Defenceman | Best Forward | Most Valuable Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Kelly Dyer | Dawn McGuire | Riikka Nieminen | Dawn McGuire |
| 1992 | Annica Åhlén | Geraldine Heaney | Cammi Granato | — |
| 1994 | Erin Whitten | Geraldine Heaney | Riikka Nieminen | — |
| 1997 | — | — | — | — |
| 1999 | Sami Jo Small | Kirsi Hänninen | Jenny Potter | — |
| 2000 | Sami Jo Small | Angela Ruggiero | Katja Riipi | — |
| 2001 | Kim St-Pierre | Karyn Bye | Jennifer Botterill | Jennifer Botterill |
| 2003 | Event cancelled due to SARS outbreak | |||
| 2004 | Kim St-Pierre | Angela Ruggiero | Jayna Hefford | Jennifer Botterill |
| 2005 | Chanda Gunn | Angela Ruggiero | Jayna Hefford | Krissy Wendell |
| 2007 | Noora Räty | Molly Engstrom | Hayley Wickenheiser | — |
| 2008 | Noora Räty | Angela Ruggiero | Natalie Darwitz | Noora Räty |
| 2009 | Charline Labonté | Jenni Hiirikoski | Hayley Wickenheiser | Carla MacLeod |
| 2011 | Noora Räty | Meaghan Mikkelson | Monique Lamoureux-Kolls | Zuzana Tomčíková |
| 2012 | Florence Schelling | Jenni Hiirikoski | Kelli Stack | — |
| 2013 | Nadezhda Alexandrova | Jenni Hiirikoski | Marie-Philip Poulin | — |
| 2015 | Nana Fujimoto | Jenni Hiirikoski | Hilary Knight | — |
| 2016 | Emerance Maschmeyer | Jenni Hiirikoski | Hilary Knight | — |
| 2017 | Noora Räty | Jenni Hiirikoski | Brianna Decker | — |
| 2019 | Noora Räty | Jenni Hiirikoski | Kendall Coyne Schofield | Jenni Hiirikoski |
| 2020 | Event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2021 | Anni Keisala | Lee Stecklein | Mélodie Daoust | — |
| 2022 | Nicole Hensley | Daniela Pejšová | Taylor Heise | — |
| 2023 | Ann-Renée Desbiens | Caroline Harvey | Sarah Fillier | — |
| 2024 | Sandra Abstreiter | Renata Fast | Alex Carpenter | Laila Edwards |
| 2025 | Aerin Frankel | Caroline Harvey | Marie-Philip Poulin | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the IIHF Women's World Championship held?
The championship is contested annually, except during years when the Olympic Games take place.
Who decides who wins the individual awards?
The awards are voted on by the IIHF directorate, which is composed of one member from each of the participating nations in the tournament.
Which years were the championships cancelled?
The event was cancelled in 2003 due to the SARS outbreak and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How many teams compete in the top division?
The top division consists of the nine highest-ranked countries in women's ice hockey.
When are the awards presented to the players?
The awards are presented immediately following the gold medal game of the tournament.