The 2024 IIHF Division 1A World Championships are in the books. Norway earned top spot and promotion to the top division of the women's World Championships for the first time since 1997 . Hungary needed until the final game of the tournament to leap frog France for the other promotion position. At the other end of the spectrum, South Korea was relegated to Division 1B, while France, Austria, and Netherlands will return again next year hoping to win their way up.
Here's a look at The Hockey News' top ten performers from the IIHF Division 1A World Championships:
1. Emma Bergesen, Norway - She's been the top defender at this tournament in recent seasons, and is a back-to-back First Team All-Canadian. Poised to enter the PWHL Draft, Bergesen could be a sleeper pick that makes an impact in the league. She led first place Norway in scoring, helping her nation earn promotion to the top division for the first time since 1997. Bergesen wasn't on the ice for a single even strength goal against in this tournament.
2. Estelle Duvin, France - Duvin topped the tournament scoring chart, leading all scorers with 10 points in five games. Alongside Clara Rozier and Chloe Aurard, France showed they have good things coming for their national team.
3. Annika Fazokas, Austria - It looks like the boost of confidence playing with EV Zug this year in the SWHL-B division paid off for Fazokas. She scored at will in the season, and tripled her best ever output at the World Championships with Austria recording nine points in five games.
4. Theresa Schafzahl, Austria - Last year when Theresa Schafzahl didn't take to the ice for the worlds, it was obvious Austria had lost a key piece. This year, PWHL Boston allowed their young forward to miss time for Worlds and she was spectacular for Austria. Schafzahl scored nine points in five games for Austria but was also one of the top defensive forwards in the tournament for her team.
5. Anna Meixner, Austria - Meixner plans to join her Austrian teammate Theresa Schafzahl in the PWHL next year, and the speedy veteran showed why she could be a difference maker in the world's top league. Meixner had three goals and seven points for Austria.
6. Ena Nystrom, Norway - The best goaltender in the tournament, Nystrom is coming off a strong NCAA career at Mercyhurst. She played all five games in this tournament for Norway leading them to promotion with two shutouts, a 1.14 GAA, and .958 save percentage. There's nothing stopping her from earning a spot in the PWHL next year. If she doesn't, Nystrom will be a starter in the SDHL and will be a player to watch for North America's top league in the future.
7. Chloe Aurard, France - If she had more time left in the PWHL, Aurard may be able to bring back the confidence she gained being a go to player. She's always been a strong playmaker, and it truly showed in this tournament playing with France's core of Duvin, Clara Rozier, and Lore Baudrit.
8. Kayleigh Hamers, Netherlands - Showed why she could be a surprise pick up for a PWHL team in the draft. Smooth skating, offensively capable, and in this tournament, she was the absolute cornerstone of the Netherlands' roster at both ends of the ice. Finished with four points, tied for the team lead.
9. Millie Rose Sirum, Norway - She had a career best 22 points in 35 games with Holy Cross this season in the NCAA, and that confidence showed in this tournament. Sirum was Norway's most dangerous forward in the tournament providing timely scoring for her nation. She's headed to Providence next year via the transfer portal.
10. Alexandra Huszák, Hungary - Without Fanni Gasparics at this tournament, things looked bleak for Hungary, but Huszák stepped up and led. Hungary scored by committee in the tournament including strong performances from Mira Seregely and Emma Kreisz, which bodes well for Hungary moving forward, but it was Huszák who was their most consistent threat.
Honorable Mention : Clara Rozier, Aniko Nemeth, Mira Seregely, Bieke van Nes, Gabrielle De Serres, Mathea Fischer, Emma Kreiz
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