UTICA, NY- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey program was represented on the international stage this month, as two current and one former Engineer suited up for their home nations at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championship.

The event, which ran from April 3 to April 14 in Utica, featured 10 teams divided into two, five-team groups in its' preliminary-round format. 2023-24 RPI mainstays Andrea Trnková and Nina Christof respectively competed for Czechia and Germany, while former Engineer assistant captain Lilli Friis-Hansen ('22) was a member of the Denmark squad. For the players, the central New York location of the championship made this event extra memorable.

"It's always an honor to represent your country at any level," Christof shared. "But with (this tournament) being so close to RPI, it makes it even more special because I know teammates could come to support and watch."

After each helping their respective countries advance through group play, Trnková and Christof were seeded against one another in a quarterfinal matchup that saw Trnková's Czechia earn a 1-0 victory to move on to the semifinals.

"Representing my country is the biggest, most honourable privilege I can have. I'm also thankful to the RPI program for helping me develop along on the way," said Trnková.

Trnková and Czechia fell to gold medalist Canada 4-0 in the semis before coming up short in a 3-2 bronze-medal matchup versus Finland.

Friis-Hansen tallied an assist while playing in all four of Denmark's contests.

"Representing Denmark at the World Championships is a huge honor. Playing the tournament near RPI, my alma mater, made it even more special."