Germany unveils women’s roster for 2026 Winter Olympics

The 23-player roster includes a few notable names preparing to compete in Milan next month, along with a few future stars of the pro ranks.

The biggest name on the squad is Sandra Abstreiter. The Montreal Victoire goaltender has been one of the deciding factors in Germany’s success in recent years. Along with a strong performance during the Olympic qualifiers, the 27-year-old was named the best goaltender at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship after leading the Germans to a sixth-place finish.

On defense, the team has a lot of players from the DFEL, Germany’s top women’s league. Vancouver Goldeneyes rearguard Nina Jobst-Smith is set to make her Olympic debut. The Vancouver-born player was recently activated from long-term injured reserve, and is expected to be in top form by the time the Winter Games come around.

Up front, the talented twins of Lilli and Luisa Welcke are expected to produce, alongside Boston Fleet forward Laura Kluge. Along with the scattering for players in North America, Jule Schiefer and Emily Nix bring years of international experience that could keep Germany near the top of Group B.

Here’s the full roster ready to play in the tournament next month:

Forwards: Anne Bartsch, Nina Christof, Franziska Feldmeier, Nicola Hadraschek-Eisenschmid, Cleina Haider, Mathilda Heine, Laura Kluge, Emily Nix, Jule Schiefer, Svenja Voigt, Lille Welcke, Luisa Welcke

Defenders: Daria Gleibner, Ronja Hark, Hanna Hoppe, Nina Jobst-Smith, Charlott Schaffrath, Tara Schmitz, Carina Strobel, Hanna Weichenhain

Goaltenders: Sandra Abstreiter, Lis Hemmerle, Chiara Schultes

This is just the fourth time that Germany has qualified for the Olympics, and first since the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014. In their first three appearances – including 2002 and 2006 – Träger der Adler reached the quarterfinals, with the team finishing fifth in Turin 20 years ago.

Here’s Germany’s schedule for its group stage games:

• Thursday, Feb. 5: Sweden vs. Germany, 6:10 a.m. ET
• Saturday, Feb. 7: Germany vs. Japan, 6:10 a.m. ET
• Monday, Feb. 9: Germany vs. France, 10:40 a.m. ET
  Tuesday, Feb. 10: Italy vs. Germany, 10:40 a.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.