The German women's national ice hockey team represents Germany at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championship and other international ice hockey tournaments. The women's national team was ranked eighth in the IIHF World Ranking in 2025. It is organized under the direct administration of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB).

Women's participation in ice hockey in Germany has slowly increased in the past decades – in 2011 the country had 2,549 female players registered with the IIHF and reported 3,168 in 2025.

History

The first international game for the German women's national team took place on 3 December 1988 in Geretsried against Switzerland. The final score was 6–5 for the Swiss, but the Germans avenged the loss in their second match. Against the Swiss, the Germans obtained their first victory.

In preparation for the 2013 IIHF Women's World Championship, the Carleton Ice House, home of the Carleton Ravens women's ice hockey program, served as the training facility for the German team. Former Ravens team captain Sara Seiler served as a member of the German squad. Of note, the Ravens hosted Germany in an exhibition game, which saw the Germans prevail by a 3–0 tally, with goals from Julia Zorn, Franziska Busch, and Andrea Lanzl.

Germany's best finish at the Worlds was in 2017, where they finished fourth after an upset victory over Russia in the quarterfinals.

In the third game of Group B preliminary round play at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship, Franziska Feldmeier scored the game winning goal in third period versus Sweden in an April 8 match. With the win, Germany clinched first place in Group B competition.

Sandra Abstreiter made 32 saves to register a shutout. As a side note, it marked the first time that Germany won four games at a Women's Worlds.

Abstreiter was recognized with the Directorate Award for Best Goaltender at the 2024 Worlds, posting a 1.19 Goals Against Average. In addition, she was one of seven finalists for the IIHF 2024 Women's Player of the Year Award.

With Germany appearing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, their first since 2014, the February 5, 2026 match versus Sweden meant that every member of the German roster were making their Olympic debut.

In the 2026 Olympic quarterfinals against Canada, Franziska Feldmeier scored on Emerance Maschmeyer in a 5-1 loss on February 14. It was the first ever goal for Germany versus Canada in senior play.

Tournament record

Olympic

  • 2002 – Finished in 6th place
  • 2006 – Finished in 5th place
  • 2014 – Finished in 6th place
  • 2026 – Finished in 7th place

World Championship

  • 1990 – Finished in 7th place (as West Germany)
  • 1994 – Finished in 8th place
  • 1999 – Finished in 7th place
  • 2000 – Finished in 7th place
  • 2001 – Finished in 5th place
  • 2004 – Finished in 6th place
  • 2005 – Finished in 5th place
  • 2007 – Finished in 8th place
  • 2008 – Finished in 9th place (relegated to Division I)
  • 2009 – Finished in 11th place (2nd in Division I)
  • 2011 – Finished in 9th place (1st in Division I, promoted to Top Division)
  • 2012 – Finished in 7th place
  • 2013 – Finished in 5th place
  • 2015 – Finished in 8th place (relegated to Division IA)
  • 2016 – Finished in 9th place (1st in Division IA, promoted to Top Division)
  • 2017 – Finished in 4th place
  • 2019 – Finished in 7th place
  • 2020 – Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
  • 2021 – Finished in 8th place
  • 2022 – Finished in 9th place
  • 2023 – Finished in 8th place
  • 2024 – Finished in 6th place
  • 2025 – Finished in 8th place

European Championship

  • 1989 – Won bronze medal (as West Germany)
  • 1991 – Finished in 6th place
  • 1993 – Finished in 4th place
  • 1995 – Finished in 5th place
  • 1996 – Finished in 6th place

Team

2026 Olympics roster

Notable former players

  • Claudia Grundmann
  • Michaela Lanzl
  • Christina Oswald
  • Denise Soesilo
  • Raffaela Wolf

Former coaches

  • 1988–1989: Pia Sterner
  • 1989–1990: Pierre Delisle
  • 1990–1994: Hanspeter Amend
  • 1994–1995: Alfred Neidhart
  • 1995–2002: Rainer Nittel
  • 2002–2014: Peter Kathan
  • 2014–2018: Benjamin Hinterstocker
  • 2018–2019: Christian Künast
  • 2020–2021: Franziska Busch
  • 2021–2023: Thomas Schädler
  • 2023–present: Jeff MacLeod

References

  • IIHF profile