The 2026 Winter Olympics next month should be a fun experience for Czechia’s women’s ice hockey team. It will be only the country’s second appearance in the Winter Games after making their debut in Beijing in 2022, and those games came with limitations.
Klára Hymlárová and Denisa Křížová, both forwards on the Minnesota Frost, were a part of that team, and while they were proud to represent the Czech Republic, they felt the limitations around the 2022 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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)
“We didn’t really do much because of COVID, but yeah, I’m super excited,” Hymlárová said, “and it’s going to be nice to see how the real Olympics are.”
Hymlárová and Křížová are looking for a more traditional Olympics experience. Their families will be making the comparatively short journey from the Czech Republic to Milano, Italy, to be a part of much larger crowds than were able to attend in Beijing.
Team Czechia made a decent Olympics debut, going 2-1-1 in the Group B Pool, second to Japan. They advanced into the quarterfinals against the U.S. and played against some of their future Frost teammates. Current teammates, such as Kendall Coyne Schofield and Lee Stecklin, made a strong impression as Team USA won, 4-1.
Last time Team Czechia and Team USA faced off, only 636 fans were allowed to watch in a 19,000-seat arena. Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena has a capacity of 14,000, but it will feel every bit more electric with a full crowd on hand and reinvigorating the stakes that come with every Olympic event.
While they have bonded in St. Paul over the past few years, Hymlárová and Křížová are looking forward to facing six of their current teammates in the preliminary round on Feb. 5.
“Hopefully we’ll surprise them,” Křížová said.
In all, the PWHL is sending 40 players from seven nations to the Milano Cortina Games, scheduled for Feb. 5–19. In addition to Coyne Schofield and Stecklein, the Frost are sending Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek and Britta Curl-Salemme to play in Italy for the U.S.
The preponderance of Frost players shouldn’t be a surprise. Minnesota won the PWHL’s first two championships in a small, stacked league, and sat third overall heading into Wednesday’s game against Montreal at Grand Casino Arena.
Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
“It’s like half of them are playing with me (in Minnesota),” Křížová said. “It’s the first game (this year) in the Olympics, too, so everyone is going to be pumped and ready to play. It’s going to be a good game, I’m very much looking forward to it.”
PWHL OLYMPIANS
By nation, with number and PWHL team in parentheses:
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).
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