KATOWICE – The Danish U18 women’s national team has taken a big step forward in its development, winning the 2015 IIHF U18 women’s World Championship Division I Qualification tournament for the first time in its history.
The victory assures Denmark of a spot in the U18 women’s Division I tournament that will be played next year, an impressive achievement considering this is the first year that the Danish program has participated in this age category.
The Danes made it through the round robin tournament with an unblemished 5-0 record, defeating Kazakhstan 4-0 on the final day to assure itself of a finish atop the standings.
The team was led on offence by forward Michelle Weis and defenceman Josephine Hansen, who accounted for 14 goals or nearly half the team’s total scoring output. Goaltender Lisa Jensen wasn’t too busy, having to make just 44 save through five games, but allowed just two to get past through the whole tournament.
Hansen finished with six goals and one assist in the tourney, earning the Directorate Best Defenceman nod. Weis recorded eight goals and five assists, good for 13 points and a share of the tournament scoring lead with Poland’s Kamila Wieczorek.
Italy claimed the No.2 spot in the round-robin, a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of the Danes midway through the tournament kept the Italians from a chance at promotion to Division I. Hosts Poland finished in third place.
As it stands now, Denmark will join Germany, Hungary, Japan, Norway, and Slovakia in next year’s IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship Division I tournament. France won the 2015 Division I Worlds and moved on to replace Japan in the Top Division.
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