University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Future Gophers Named to 2026 U18 Women’s World Championships Rosters
12/11/2025 1:39:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – Five incoming Gophers from Minnesota's 2026 signing class are set to compete on the international stage at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Championships in Sydney and Membertou, Nova Scotia. Team USA selections Sloane Hartmetz and Katya Sander, along with Team Canada's Adrianna Milani, Maddie McCullough, and Rachel Piggott, will represent their countries at this year's tournament. Minnesota associate head coach Greg May will also join Team USA's staff as an assistant coach.
Hartmetz returns to the U.S. roster after helping Team USA earn a silver medal at the 2025 U18 World Championship, where she scored two goals across six games. Sander will make her IIHF U18 Women's Worlds debut in January.
For Team Canada, McCullough and Piggott both return to the international stage after capturing gold at last year's U18 tournament. McCullough posted three points (1g–2a) in six games, while Piggott added a goal in five contests. Milani is set to make her first appearance at the U18 World Championship.
The 2026 tournament runs Jan. 10–18. Team USA opens preliminary-round play against Slovakia (Jan. 10), Czechia (Jan. 11), and Finland (Jan. 13) before quarterfinals begin on Jan. 15. Canada's preliminary schedule features matchups against Switzerland (Jan. 10), Hungary (Jan. 12), and Sweden (Jan. 13).
Minnesota associate head coach Greg "Boom" May will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA, marking the Burnsville, Minn., native's first appearance behind the bench on the international stage.