From 4 to 7 June 2026, the icy fields of Vierumaki, Finland, hosted the inaugural international Women’s Para Ice Hockey Development Camp, gathering more than thirty athletes from ten countries.
A Strategic Leap for the Sport
The camp was coordinated by the US Women’s Para Ice Hockey Foundation, under the sanction of World Para Ice Hockey, with the explicit goal of expanding the women’s game and creating a clearer pathway toward future World Championships.
Participants benefited from on‑ice drills, classroom workshops and a full suite of support services that included uniforms, accommodation, meals and local transportation, ensuring that financial barriers did not limit attendance.
The initiative follows the debut of the inaugural Women’s World Para Ice Hockey Championships held last year in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia, where many of the same competitors returned to refine their skills under the guidance of seasoned champions.
Among the coaches were Team USA world champion Monica Quimby, alongside fellow champions Erica McKee and Catherine Faherty, who shared their expertise with rising talents such as Japan’s Akari Fukunishi, a Paralympic medallist from Milano Cortina 2026, and four‑time Para athletics world champion Amanda Kotaja.
Beyond the rink, the camp sparked a fundraising drive to cover operational costs, underscoring the growing momentum behind women’s Para ice hockey on the global stage.