VANCOUVER – On the heels of a tremendous rookie collegiate season, UBC Thunderbirds forward
Vanessa Schaefer finds herself in Europe competing for Switzerland at the IIHF World Women's Hockey Championship which gets underway Wednesday in Czechia.
One of just two U SPORTS players to compete in the tournament, Schaefer returns to the world stage having played for the Swiss in last year's event.
Schaefer joins Thunderbird alumna
Mathea Fischer as UBC Women's Hockey representatives on the biggest world stage. Having represented Norway in the Division I Group A Championship on ten previous occasions, Fischer is once again suiting up for her native country but in the top division for the first time in 2025.
One of the youngest players on this year's Swiss team, Schaefer continues what has been a remarkably successful season which saw her land a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team. With four goals and six points in 22 regular season games, the Langley, B.C. product led all UBC freshmen and finished fifth in conference rookie scoring, two of her four goals standing as game winners.
"We are very proud of Vanessa and this incredible opportunity with the Swiss national team," said UBC head coach
Graham Thomas. "She's been working extremely hard. She's very talented and has a ton of growth and potential in her game. We know UBC will be extremely well represented on the world stage and we'll be cheering her on."
Prior to joining UBC this past season, Schaefer spent a year playing professionally for the ZSC Lions, the dual citizen having spent plenty of time in Switzerland in the recent past.
Schaefer is one of just four members of the Swiss team currently on collegiate rosters in North America.
Switzerland opens play at the 2025 IIHF World Championship Wednesday against the host Czechs in Budejovice and will next battle Canada on Friday, April 11.
