photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andrea Cardin
Ivana Wey is still just 20, but already one of the great hopes of Swiss women's hockey. She has shown that during the World Championship games in Esbjerg, where her eye for goal has been on full display. The forward is always around the action and is not afraid to get involved in net front battles.
And she keeps going. That was evident in the game against Austria, where she missed an open net, had a goal disallowed following a coach's challenge, and finally found the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-2. That is persistence at a high level.
Wey is also following a path taken by several of Switzerland's biggest names. She started the season at Northeastern University, where she has already made a good start.
“I committed to Northeastern two years ago. I think it was pretty clear to me growing up and watching Laura Stalder and Alina Muller and seeing the paths they took that I wanted to go to the NCAA one day as well,” says Wey.
“When the recruiting process started, I looked at the teams and selected the one I thought was the best fit for me,” she says.
At Northeastern University, she plays alongside national team teammate Alessia Baechler, which has naturally provided some familiarity and comfort during her first months in America.
And after college, her dream is quite clear.
“The PWHL is definitely a goal for me. I do want to get there one day. I'm in my freshman year in the NCAA right now, so I'm not really worrying about the PWHL at the moment. But if the time comes and it's the right time, I definitely want to give it a try.”
Ivana Wey grew up in Oberkirch, in the canton of Lucerne, but moved to Davos at the age of eight. She played for HC Davos until she was 17, spending her junior years playing alongside boys. She believes that competing against boys was the best way for her to improve as a hockey player and develop as a person.
After that, she switched over to senior women's hockey, spending three years with EV Zug.
“I think they had a great setup with a high level of professionalism back then. The Swiss League hadn't really been that professional, but I think they've really stepped up. Zug is a great role model in that sense. I think they're moving in the right direction and have also started to pay salaries,” Wey says.
“The whole setup, with practices in the afternoon rather than late in the evening, and having the entire organisation behind the team, was great and it was a good move for me to play in Zug.”
Wey believes that women's hockey in Europe is moving in the right direction, with leagues becoming increasingly professional and more European players making the move to North America.
“A lot more European players are also going to the PWHL, so I think the level of women's ice hockey is improving in general, both globally and in Europe.”
And what about Switzerland? Could the country eventually challenge the world's leading nations?
“It's definitely a goal for us to get closer to the US and Canada, so that one day we can challenge them, maybe even in the group stage. That would be great, but we still have some big steps to take before we are that far.”
And she keeps going. That was evident in the game against Austria, where she missed an open net, had a goal disallowed following a coach's challenge, and finally found the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-2. That is persistence at a high level.
Wey is also following a path taken by several of Switzerland's biggest names. She started the season at Northeastern University, where she has already made a good start.
“I committed to Northeastern two years ago. I think it was pretty clear to me growing up and watching Laura Stalder and Alina Muller and seeing the paths they took that I wanted to go to the NCAA one day as well,” says Wey.
“When the recruiting process started, I looked at the teams and selected the one I thought was the best fit for me,” she says.
At Northeastern University, she plays alongside national team teammate Alessia Baechler, which has naturally provided some familiarity and comfort during her first months in America.
And after college, her dream is quite clear.
“The PWHL is definitely a goal for me. I do want to get there one day. I'm in my freshman year in the NCAA right now, so I'm not really worrying about the PWHL at the moment. But if the time comes and it's the right time, I definitely want to give it a try.”
Ivana Wey grew up in Oberkirch, in the canton of Lucerne, but moved to Davos at the age of eight. She played for HC Davos until she was 17, spending her junior years playing alongside boys. She believes that competing against boys was the best way for her to improve as a hockey player and develop as a person.
After that, she switched over to senior women's hockey, spending three years with EV Zug.
“I think they had a great setup with a high level of professionalism back then. The Swiss League hadn't really been that professional, but I think they've really stepped up. Zug is a great role model in that sense. I think they're moving in the right direction and have also started to pay salaries,” Wey says.
“The whole setup, with practices in the afternoon rather than late in the evening, and having the entire organisation behind the team, was great and it was a good move for me to play in Zug.”
Wey believes that women's hockey in Europe is moving in the right direction, with leagues becoming increasingly professional and more European players making the move to North America.
“A lot more European players are also going to the PWHL, so I think the level of women's ice hockey is improving in general, both globally and in Europe.”
And what about Switzerland? Could the country eventually challenge the world's leading nations?
“It's definitely a goal for us to get closer to the US and Canada, so that one day we can challenge them, maybe even in the group stage. That would be great, but we still have some big steps to take before we are that far.”