Switzerland unveils women’s roster for 2026 Olympics
Looking to return to the Olympic women’s hockey podium for the first time since winning bronze at Sochi 2014, Switzerland announced its roster on Wednesday, featuring a 23-player squad led by head coach Colin Muller.
Two PWHL players headline the roster, with Boston Fleet forward Alina Müller returning for her fourth Olympics, alongside fellow four-time Olympian captain Lara Stalder, who plays her club hockey with EV Zug in the Swiss league. New York Sirens rookie defender Nicole Vallario also joins the group and will make her Olympic debut.
At the time of being named to the roster, Muller boasted a goal and four assists in the Fleet’s first nine games of the PWHL regular season, bringing her career total to 13 goals and 40 points, as she enters the first Olympic Games that sees a fully professionalized women’s league in North America.
Meanwhile, Vallairo scored her first and so far only PWHL point with a goal against the Vancouver Goldeneyes in November.
These players will represent Switzerland at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina!
Schweizer Spielerinnen und Spieler für die Olympischen Spiele 2026!
Joueuses et joueurs suisses aux Jeux Olympiques 2026! @IIHFHockey @olympics @nhl @nhlpa @thepwhlofficial @swissteam pic.twitter.com/SmJkKhq3fT
Outside the PWHL talent, five players also play their club hockey in North America: goaltender Monja Wagner, defender Alessia Baechler, and forwards Naemi Herzig and Laura Zimmermann all play NCAA hockey, while Vanessa Schaefer suits up for the UBC Thunderbirds of U SPORTS.
Of those playing in Switzerland, it’s a trio of EV Zug players that highlight the squad. Stadler leads the league with 18 goals and 46 points in 23 games with EV Zug, closely followed by Zug teammates Ivana Wey’s 16 goals and 42 points, and Rahel Enzler’s 17 goals and 41 points.
“We have a very well-balanced team with a wealth of international experience and a strong mix of experience and dynamism,” Colin Muller said of the roster. “Many players are familiar with the demands of the Olympic level and know what it takes to succeed on this stage. Our focus is on performing as a cohesive team and playing our best hockey in every game.”
Switzerland will now try to navigate its way to a top spot in Group A alongside Canada, USA, Finland and Czechia, with hopes of making a run in the knockout stages.
Forwards: Leoni Balzer, Rahel Enzler, Naemi Herzig, Sinja Leemann, Lena-Marie Lutz, Alina Marti , Alina Müller, Kaleigh Quennec, Noemi Ryhner, Vanessa Schaefer, Lara Stalder (EV Zug), Ivana Wey, Laura Zimmermann
Defenders: Alessia Baechler, Annic Büchi, Lara Christen, Laure Mériguet, Shannon Sigrist, Nicole Vallari, Stefanie Wetli
Goaltenders: Andrea Brändli, Saskia Maurer, Monja Wagner
Here’s Switzerland’s schedule for its group stage games:
- Friday, Feb. 6: Switzerland vs. Czechia, 8:40 a.m. ET
- Saturday, Feb. 7: Canada vs. Switzerland, 3:10 p.m. ET
- Monday, Feb. 9: USA vs. Switzerland, 2:10 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Feb. 10: Switzerland vs. Finland, 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.