University of Minnesota Athletics

BRAMPTON, Ontario Five players wearing Golden Gopher women’s hockey ties won gold at the 2023 Women’s World Championship in Brampton, Ontario on Sunday night after a 6-3 victory over rival Canada. Five years ahead Taylor Hayes led all Minnesota representatives in scoring with 12 points (1g-11a) in seven games.

Current Gophers Taylor Hayes and Abbey Murphy each earned their first gold medals on the US senior national team, as alumni Amanda Kessel (4x), Kelly Pannek (3x) and Lee Stecklein (6x) added to their gold medal collections. Freshman defenseman Nelli Laitinen (Finland), freshman forward Josephine Bouveng (Sweden) and incoming freshman Emma Kreisz (Hungary) placed fifth, sixth and ninth respectively.

2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship Overall Points:
Taylor HayesF, USA 12 points (1g-11a)
Nelli LaitinenD, Finland 10 points (3g-7a)
Amanda Kessel, F, USA 9 points (5g-4a)
Abbey MurphyF, USA 8 points (5g-3a)
Josephine BouvengF, Sweden 1 pt (1 g)
Kelly Pannek, F, USA 1 pt (1a)
Lee Stecklein, D, USA 1 pt (1a)
Emma Kreisz, F, Hungary N/A

Noteworthy

– The USA won the women’s World Cup gold for the first time since 2019
– Nelli Laitinen finished third in scoring among all defensemen in the tournament
– Women’s second consecutive World Championships, Taylor Hayes led all American forwards in scoring (first in 2022, tied for first in 2023)
– Utica, NY will host the first Women’s World Championships in the United States since 2017.
– Minnesota assistant director of athletic performance Cal Dietz served as Team USA’s strength and conditioning coach.