Universiade Women's Hockey Heads To Changchun In January 2027
The 33rd Winter Universiade runs Jan. 15 to 25, 2027, with eight women's hockey teams selected for the tournament.
The women's hockey tournament at the 33rd Winter Universiade will be staged in Changchun, China, during the Games from Jan. 15 to 25, 2027. FISU has selected Canada, China, Czechia, Iran, Japan, Slovakia, the United States and Student Neutral Athletes for the eight-team women's field.
The tournament has become a recurring stop on PWHL resumes. Anna Shokhina, now with PWHL Hamilton, is the Universiade's all-time leading scorer with 32 points in 15 games. Ottawa Charge forward Fanuza Kadirova has 17 points in 11 games. Montreal Victoire forward Alexandra Labelle recorded 13 points in five games for Canada in 2017, and teammate Kaitlin Willoughby played in the 2017 and 2019 Games.
Czechia won gold at the previous edition in Turin in 2025, going undefeated behind tournament scoring leader Barbora Bartakova and goaltender Julie Pejsova. Canada won the 2023 title in Lake Placid with a roster captained by Emmy Fecteau, now a New York Sirens forward.
Canada typically selects an all-star team from U SPORTS women's hockey. The United States has used NCAA Division III standouts and rosters drawn from the ACHA.
Other current PWHL players with Universiade experience include Daniela Pejsova, Akane Shiga, Kendra Woodland, Kelly-Ann Nadeau, Erica Reider and Catherine Dubois. Montreal draft pick Emilie Lavoie represented Canada in 2025 while attending Concordia, and Maria Batalova, who is set to attend Victoire training camp, played in three tournaments for Russia.
