Orange Well Represented at IIHF Worlds
4/22/2025 2:12:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Syracuse University women's ice hockey was well represented at the IIHF Women's World Championships during the month of April, including two medals and a historic team promotion to the top level for one team in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Melissa Piacentini | USA Hockey Video Coach
Melissa Piacentini '16 served as the video coach for USA Hockey in the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Czechia. The United States went undefeated in the tournament and won gold with an overtime win against Canada. Piacentini currently works at Northeastern as an assistant coach and has been a part of the organization since 2018. During her time at Syracuse, Piacentini broke the Syracuse record for career goals with 53 and ranks second on Syracuse's career scoring list with 112 points.Â
Britni Smith | Hockey Canada Assistant Coach
Syracuse head ice hockey coach Britni Smith was an assistant coach for Hockey Canada in the IIHF Women's World Championship. Canada went 5-2 in the tournament with its only losses coming against the United States. Canada lost in overtime against the USA in the championship with a final score of 4-3. Smith became head coach of the Orange in May 2022 after eight years as an assistant coach at Clarkson.
Laura Leitner | Austria | Defense
Syracuse freshman Laura Leitner played for Austria in this year's IIHF Women's World Championship tournament. Austria went undefeated in China to secure a gold medal and promotion to the Top Division for the first time in the team's history. Leitner played in all five games on defense for Austria. During her freshman season with the Orange Leitner played in 18 games and scored one goal.Â
Akane Hosoyamada | Japan | Defense
Two-time Olympian Akane Hosoyamada '15 played defense for team Japan in the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship. Hosoyamada played in all five games for Japan and ended the tournament with one goal. At Syracuse, Hosoyamada served as captain in 14-15 and tallied 61 points, on 10 goals and 51 assists. After graduation, she played in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games where she was an alternate captain.
Melissa Piacentini | USA Hockey Video Coach
Melissa Piacentini '16 served as the video coach for USA Hockey in the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Czechia. The United States went undefeated in the tournament and won gold with an overtime win against Canada. Piacentini currently works at Northeastern as an assistant coach and has been a part of the organization since 2018. During her time at Syracuse, Piacentini broke the Syracuse record for career goals with 53 and ranks second on Syracuse's career scoring list with 112 points.Â
Britni Smith | Hockey Canada Assistant Coach
Syracuse head ice hockey coach Britni Smith was an assistant coach for Hockey Canada in the IIHF Women's World Championship. Canada went 5-2 in the tournament with its only losses coming against the United States. Canada lost in overtime against the USA in the championship with a final score of 4-3. Smith became head coach of the Orange in May 2022 after eight years as an assistant coach at Clarkson.
Laura Leitner | Austria | Defense
Syracuse freshman Laura Leitner played for Austria in this year's IIHF Women's World Championship tournament. Austria went undefeated in China to secure a gold medal and promotion to the Top Division for the first time in the team's history. Leitner played in all five games on defense for Austria. During her freshman season with the Orange Leitner played in 18 games and scored one goal.Â
Akane Hosoyamada | Japan | Defense
Two-time Olympian Akane Hosoyamada '15 played defense for team Japan in the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship. Hosoyamada played in all five games for Japan and ended the tournament with one goal. At Syracuse, Hosoyamada served as captain in 14-15 and tallied 61 points, on 10 goals and 51 assists. After graduation, she played in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games where she was an alternate captain.
Players Mentioned
D
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