What Is 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship

Overview

The 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship was the 19th edition of the premier international women's ice hockey tournament, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It featured the top eight national teams competing for the world title, with games hosted across two venues in England: the Silverstone Arena in Plymouth and the London Arena.

This championship marked a significant milestone as it was the first time the tournament was held outside North America or Scandinavia. The event attracted record attendance for a Women’s Worlds in a non-traditional market, highlighting the sport’s growing global appeal.

• March 31 to April 7, 2017: The tournament spanned eight days, with a total of 22 games played across two host cities in England.
• Host cities: Plymouth and London jointly hosted the event, with the knockout rounds held at the London Arena.
• Eight participating teams: Included top-ranked nations such as the United States, Canada, Finland, and Russia, plus debutants from the lower divisions.
• Final attendance: Over 42,000 fans attended games, setting a new record for a Women’s Worlds outside traditional hockey markets.
• Championship format: Teams were divided into two groups, with the top four advancing to the semifinals via a round-robin and playoff structure.

How It Works

The IIHF Women's World Championship follows a structured format designed to determine the world champion through a combination of group play and elimination rounds. Teams earn points during the preliminary stage, with advancement based on standings and tiebreaker rules.

• Group Stage: The eight teams were split into two groups of four; each played three round-robin games to determine semifinal qualification. The top two from each group advanced.
• Quarterfinals: Introduced in 2017 for the first time, the third-place teams from each group faced off to determine semifinal seeding.
• Semifinals: The winners of the quarterfinals joined the top two group finishers in the semifinals, held on April 6, 2017.
• Gold Medal Game: The U.S. and Canada met in the final for the eighth time in tournament history, with the U.S. winning 3–2 in a dramatic shootout.
• Third-Place Game: Finland defeated Russia 8–0 on April 6, securing the bronze medal and their fifth podium finish in the past decade.
• Player Eligibility: All athletes had to be registered with their national federation and meet IIHF citizenship and amateur status requirements.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the top four teams compared across key performance metrics during the 2017 tournament:

The table illustrates the dominance of North American and Nordic teams, with the U.S. and Canada leading in both offensive output and defensive consistency. Russia struggled defensively, allowing nearly four goals per game, while Germany’s single win came against Switzerland in the lower bracket.

Why It Matters

The 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship had lasting implications for the visibility and development of women's ice hockey globally. It showcased elite-level competition and helped drive investment in grassroots programs and professional leagues.

• Increased media coverage: The final was broadcast in over 20 countries, reaching an estimated 1.2 million viewers, a 35% increase from 2016.
• Player recognition: U.S. goaltender Maddie Rooney saved two shootout attempts in the final, earning tournament MVP honors.
• Gender equity push: The event intensified calls for equal pay and resources between men’s and women’s national teams, especially in North America.
• Development impact: IIHF reported a 17% increase in female youth registration in host nations within a year of the tournament.
• Legacy in England: The UK established its first full-time women’s national development program following the event.
• Historic final: The 3–2 shootout win marked the first time the U.S. defeated Canada in a Women’s Worlds final since 2011.

The 2017 championship not only crowned a world champion but also advanced the sport’s profile, setting a precedent for future tournaments to be hosted in emerging hockey markets.