Czechia unveils women’s roster for 2026 Winter Olympics
A nation primed for another run at a medal is gearing up for Milan.
On Tuesday, the Czech Ice Hockey Federation released its women’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Jdou si za svým olympijským snem. 😍 Tyto české lvice budou reprezentovat Českou republiku na letošní olympiádě. 🦁#milanocortina2026 @olympijskytym pic.twitter.com/NRaJZdSg2b
— Hokejová reprezentace žen (@narodnitymzen) January 6, 2026The group of 23 players looks to build off its success in recent years, and capture a medal at the Winter Games for the first time.
This might be the best roster Czechia has ever put in a major international tournament. Carla MacLeod’s team has plenty of weapons at all positions, especially up front. Led by last year’s first-overall pick, Kristýna Kaltounková, the team has firepower that could be tough to manage. The former Colgate star is flanked by fellow PWHLers Denisa Křížová, Kateřina Mrázová, Tereza Vanišová, Natálie Mlýnková and Klára Hymlárová. Also, Adéla Šapovalivová, who’s having a great season at the University of Wisconsin, is part of a young core that includes Minnesota Golden Gopher Tereza Plosová and 18-year-old Linda Vocetková.
Defensively, the Czechs have loads of experience with Aneta Tejralová, Daniela Pejšová, Dominika Lásková and Noemi Neubauerová. They’ll be a solid group in front of Klára Peslarová, who has been clutch for the Lionesses for the past few years.
Forwards: Klára Hymlárová, Barbora Juříčková, Kristýna Kaltounková, Denisa Křížová, Natálie Mlýnková, Kateřina Mrázová, Michaela Pejzová, Tereza Pištěková, Tereza Plosová, Vendula Přibylová, Adéla Šapovalivová, Tereza Vanišová, Linda Vocetková
Defenders: Sára Čajanová, Dominika Lásková, Noemi Neubauerová, Daniela Pejšová, Klára Seroiszková, Aneta Tejralová, Andrea Trnková
Goaltenders: Michaela Hesová, Klára Peslarová, Julie Pejšová
Czechia might be forced to compete in the daunting Group A, but given the fact that they’ll have to win just one game in order to get to the semifinals, the Czechs are in a great spot to play for a medal. The Lionesses have made it to the semifinals in each of the past four Women’s Worlds, winning bronze in 2022 and 2023.
Here’s Czechia’s schedule for its group stage games:
- Thursday, Feb. 5: USA vs. Czechia, 10:40 a.m. ET
- Friday, Feb. 6: Czechia vs. Switzerland, 8:40 a.m. ET
- Sunday, Feb. 8: Czechia vs. Finland, 3:10 p.m. ET
Monday, Feb. 9: Canada vs. Czechia, 3:10 p.m. ET
The quarterfinals will begin on Feb. 13 and conclude the following day. Both semifinals are taking place on Feb. 16. The tournament will wrap up on Feb. 19 with both the gold and bronze medal games.