What Is 2022-23 Women's Euro Hockey Tour

Overview

The 2022-23 Women's Euro Hockey Tour was a continental ice hockey competition designed to provide high-level competition for top European women's national teams outside the Olympic and World Championship cycles. It functioned as a preparatory series, enabling teams to test strategies, evaluate players, and build cohesion ahead of major international events.

Organized collaboratively by the national federations of Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Germany, the tour consisted of multiple standalone tournaments held across several months. Each event followed a round-robin format, with points accumulated across all tournaments contributing to an overall tour ranking.

• Five tournaments were held between August 2022 and January 2023, including the Nations Cup in Finland and the Sweden Cup in Linköping.
• Sweden emerged as the overall tour champion, earning the most points across all events based on consistent top-three finishes.
• Finland placed second in the final standings, closely trailing Sweden after strong performances in the November and December tournaments.
• Switzerland and Germany competed as full participants, using the tour to prepare for the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in April.
• Player development was a key focus, with coaches rotating rosters to assess depth and readiness for upcoming Olympic qualification rounds.

How It Works

The Women's Euro Hockey Tour operates as a cooperative series among elite European hockey nations, combining competitive play with strategic preparation for global events. Each tournament follows a standardized format, with points awarded for wins, overtime results, and standings used to determine the overall tour winner.

• Format: Each tournament features a four-team round-robin, with teams earning 3 points for a win, 2 for OT win, 1 for OT loss, 0 for regulation loss.
• Scheduling: Events are held between August and January, spaced several weeks apart to allow for training and travel between host nations.
• Host Rotation:Sweden and Finland hosted the majority of tournaments, with Germany hosting one event in December 2022.
• Team Rosters: National teams field rosters of 20–23 players, including a mix of veterans and emerging talent from professional leagues.
• Scoring System: Points from all tournaments are aggregated into a cumulative leaderboard, determining the overall tour champion.
• Purpose: The tour serves as a critical preparation phase for the IIHF Women's World Championship and Olympic qualification cycles.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2022-23 Women's Euro Hockey Tour with other major international women's hockey events:

The Euro Hockey Tour differs from the IIHF World Championship by focusing on development and preparation rather than crowning a world champion. While the World Championship features 10 teams and spans two weeks, the Tour spreads competition over six months, allowing for deeper player evaluation and tactical experimentation. It also enables smaller hockey nations like Germany to compete regularly against top-tier teams like Sweden and Finland.

Why It Matters

The 2022-23 Women's Euro Hockey Tour played a crucial role in advancing women's hockey across Europe, offering visibility, competitive structure, and development opportunities. Its format supports long-term growth while maintaining high-level play.

• Development Pathway: The tour provides younger players from nations like Germany and Switzerland with experience against top-ranked opponents.
• Coaching Strategy: National team staff use the tour to test line combinations and defensive systems in low-pressure environments.
• Global Readiness: Results helped shape rosters for the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship, where Finland won silver.
• Gender Equity: The tour promotes equal access to high-level competition for women, mirroring the men's Euro Hockey Tour.
• Media Exposure: Games streamed online increased visibility for women's hockey across Nordic and Central Europe.
• Legacy Building: Consistent annual play strengthens national programs and supports future Olympic qualification success.

By integrating competitive rigor with developmental goals, the Women's Euro Hockey Tour has become a cornerstone of European women's hockey strategy, bridging the gap between club seasons and global tournaments.