Nine of them have never played at Worlds before. Switzerland, which is placed in Group B, will face Czechia, Finland, and Germany in the group stage of the tournament. Two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals.
"I am extremely proud of my players, who worked really hard and are very committed to the national team. An even-keeled lineup, structured technical guidelines, as well as good performances of our goalies, will be the key element," Huard states.
The roster for the U18 World Championship looks as follows:
Goaltenders (3): Ramona Forrer (EHC Winterthur), Saskia Maurer (EV Bomo Thun), Caroline Spies (EHC Basel Nachwuchs).
Defenders (8): Sina Bachmann (EV Bomo Thun), Lara Christen (SC Langenthal), Julina Gianola (HC Davos), Janine Hauser (GCK Lions), Emma Ingold (Brandis Junior), Lena Marie Lutz (SC Reinach), Nicole Vallario (HC Lugano), Stefanie Wetli (EHC Winterthur).
Forwards (12): Sara Bachmann (GCK Lions), Sydney Berta (Neuchâtel Hockey Academy), Tina Brand (EV Bomo Thun), Oona Emmenegger (SC Reinach), Rahel Enzler (SC Reinach), Sinja Leemann (SC Weinfelden), Alicia Pagnamenta (HC Lugano), Noemi Ryhner (SC Reinach), Lisa Rüedi (GCK Lions), Jessica Schlegel (ZSC Lions), Ladina Staub (EHC Kreuzlingen-Konstanz), Lara Zimmermann (GCK Lions).
Preparation games in Dmitrov:
Tuesday, January 2, 2018: SUI-RUS (not yet clear if it will take place).
Wednesday, January 3, 2018: SUI-GER.
