Norway To In Top World Championship Division For First Time Since 1997

The women's hockey world has changed a lot since the last time Norway played amongst the top nations in the world. The last time they played in the top division of the IIHF's World Championships, women had yet to play at the Olympics.

In fact, only four member of Norway's current roster were even alive during that 1997 tournament, with the team's oldest players, Andrea Dahlen, being 5-years-old at the time.

But after beating South Korea 8-0 Saturday, Norway earned promotion from the Division 1A tournament in Klagenfurt, Austira, back to the top division in world. They'll play for an opportunity to face Canada, USA, Finland, and Czechia in the World Championships next year in Czechia.

Norway was undefeated in the tournament winning two games in regulation, and three in overtime including against France and Hungary, the two teams who were relegated from the top division last year.

Defender Emma Bergesen, a back-to-back First Team All-Canadian from Mount Royal University led Norway in scoring with five points in five games, just ahead of NCAA senior Millie Rose Sirum who plays for Holy Cross, and recently transferred to Providence College.

Another key performer for Norway was netminder Ena Nystrom who topped the tournament statistically with a .958 save percentage and 1.14 GAA playing all five games for Norway.

Both Nystrom and Bergesen are PWHL Draft eligible this year and will be prospects to watch. They aren't the only players from Norway who could be coming to North America next season as veteran Mathea Fischer is likely to declare for the draft and challenge for a roster spot as either a draft pick or free agent.