The Mercyhurst women’s hockey team will soon be traveling to Sweden as part of an international summer trip.
The Lakers will be the only Division I women’s hockey program to head overseas this summer to compete.
From 22nd to 31st July, the team will travel to Stockholm to play list matches against both the Swedish National Team and the Swedish Development Team. All newcomers will join returning head coach Mike Cesti to gain experience as a full team prior to the 2023-24 season.
“This will be a great educational, cultural and physical experience for our team,” Cesti said in a press release. “It will be a great opportunity to exchange ideas and showcase women’s hockey. We are very excited that we were able to bring everything together on this trip to Sweden. I appreciate Sweden’s coach Ulf Lundberg and his staff for inviting us to this unique event.”
Current Laker Tia Johansson and freshman Sofia Leung have both competed in the two Swedish national programmes, Johansson in the national team and Leung in the under-18 team. Mercyhurst will have six student athletes on next year’s roster from Europe including Nystrøm, Johansson, Ljung, Sofia Nuutinen, Sofia Skriver and Emmi Mouruarjvi.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming Merseyhorst University to Stockholm at the end of July,” said Lundberg. “I liked their environment and program so much when I was there in January. I’m sure the exchange will be a win-win both in terms of hockey and in the bigger picture.”
“We look forward to parents, alumni, administrators and Mercyhurst fans traveling to see us in Stockholm,” Cesti added. “This year will be our 25th season and this will be a great way to start the season. I look forward to seeing how we can share information and find useful ways to get both sides to improve our systems moving forward. It is great to see the support and enthusiasm that the entire Mercyhurst administration has for this endeavour.” .
The Lakers have had several notable international student-athletes, including current alternate captain Ina Nystrom. Mercyhurst has had over 30 former athletes compete in the Olympics and World Championships, including Meaghan Agosta, who won three gold medals and a silver medal for Canada at the Olympics. Agosta remains the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s hockey. Kelly Steadman, Emma Notinen, Johanna Malström, Vilma Tanskanen, Vicky Bendus, and Valaria Chouinard are just a few of the many Lakers who have made international appearances for their countries.
Besides the competition, the team will explore Sweden and learn more about the country through educational and sightseeing opportunities. They are looking to meet young hockey fans in Stockholm and help develop women’s hockey in Sweden.