Nela Lopušanová representing Slovakia at the U18 Women’s World Championship (IIHF)
Nela Lopušanová made headlines when she was named MVP at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship as a 14-year-old. Since then, Lopušanová has continued to develop as one of hockey’s top upcoming talents. This season she was again named MVP at the U18 World Championship, despite Slovakia finishing in seventh, and scored 18 (11+7) points in 6 games with the Slovaks in 2026 Winter Olympic qualification.
The Žilina native has spent the past two seasons with the Bishop Kearney Selects 19U team in the United States and is committed to the University of Wisconsin for the 2026-27 season. I had the pleasure of being able to ask Nela about her experiences on the international stage, the trajectory of her career, and the current state of women’s hockey in Slovakia!
Interview
Q: Who/what was your biggest inspiration to begin playing hockey? Were there many playing opportunities for girls in Slovakia?
A: My biggest inspiration to begin playing hockey was my brother Šimon. Since I was little I was watching him play great hockey and I always wanted to be like him. As the majority of girls in hockey I started playing with boys which helped me to be better and faster. There were not that many opportunities to playing only girls hockey in Slovakia how it is now.
Nela Lopušanováplaying for the Bishop Kearney Selects
Q: Slovakia has now played in four consecutive Top Division events at the U18 level. How important have these experiences been for you and your teammates?
A: It was really important for me to play at the top level and see how my game has grown but as well as the growth of women’s hockey in general. My teammates and I are always looking forward to those big events. We have a lot of fun in the locker room and on the ice to play against amazing players from other countries.
Q: You are now in your second season with Bishop Kearney. Can you explain how playing against top players in North America has helped you improve your game?
A: Yes, I do play against a lot really good players in North America, but I also play with a lot of them. My teammates are pushing me every day to be better on the ice, but also off the ice as a person. The competition and high level in practices is incredible and I learn a lot new skills from them. Our coaches are doing an amazing job with our practices and games. The environment that they’ve created has been something I’ve loved and have been having a lot of fun participating in.
Nela Lopušanovácelebrates after scoring a goal for Slovakia at the U18 Women’s World Championship (IIHF)
Q: You will be attending the University of Wisconsin in the 2026-27 season. What are your goals at that school and what are you most excited about?
A: It’s an incredible school with some of the top players in the world. It has always been my dream to go there and I am really excited to be apart of the team for the next couple of years. I am most looking forward to continue playing with and competing against these players and working towards a NCAA national championship.
Q: What has been your favourite memory playing for Slovakia in your young career?
A: My favourite memory was scoring my ‘Michigan’ goal during the U18 Worlds, which was during my first year at that tournament. It was an exciting achievement for me and I had a lot of fun playing with the girls in Sweden.
Q: Do you believe that Hockey Slovakia is taking the necessary steps to develop the women’s game and help Slovakia develop into a top nation on the international stage?
A: I believe that Hockey Slovakia is taking the necessary steps. Now we have our own league in Slovakia where girls can play, but unfortunately it’s not as big as in North America. We have a lot of talented players we can work with in the future. Hockey Slovakia is putting a lot of effort and money into women’s hockey but it’s really hard to tell if Slovakia is going to be one of the top nations on the international stage in the future.
Bonus Q: If you had to choose, would you rather play in the PWHL or at the Olympics in the future?
A: I would probably choose PWHL because I could play there for more years.
Simon Chen representing China as their captain in international action (IIHF)
Simon Chen has become a mainstay for the Chinese National Team in recent years. Since making his debut at the 2019 World Championship D2A, Chen has gone on to score 5 (1+4) points in 29 major international games, most notably playing at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
The Beijing native has experience playing junior hockey in North America, including two seasons in the BCHL, and a total of 61 professional games with Chinese-based clubs in the KHL and VHL. This has made the 27-year-old Chen a veteran amongst a Chinese program that has taken massive strides in a short period of time. China recently competed in the inaugural IIHF Asia Championship, so I decided to ask Chen about his experience at the event, along with other questions about ice hockey in the country.
Interview
Q: How did you first begin playing ice hockey in China? Who/what was your biggest inspiration?
A: I needed to pick a sport to lose weight since I was a very chubby kid. My aunt and uncle live in Sweden and they suggested ice hockey since it’s the most popular sport in that region. I saw pictures of hockey players in their gear and thought it was the coolest looking sport in the world.
Simon Chen and China competing against Great Britain at the 2026 Winter Olympic Qualifiers (IIHF)
Q: You have had the honour of representing China at the 2022 Olympics and four World Championships, among other tournaments. What has been your favourite experience?
A: I think the Olympics was by far the most unforgettable experience of my life. As a Chinese hockey players, no one could’ve imagined one day we get to play in the Winter Olympics on home soil. It has been my biggest goal when I was a teenager to represent my country in the Olympics (after they announced that Beijing won the bid). Finally realizing my dream after all these years was truly amazing. However, I think my favourite experience has to be the World Championship last year. We came in the tournament with zero heritage players. As the under under dog, people expected us to get rolled over by other teams and suffer relegation. But the boys really pulled together as one and proved to the hockey world that Chinese hockey can still be competitive and successful with strictly local players.
Q: China recently had a strong showing at the Asian Championship, even beating South Korea. Can you explain the emotions after the event and the importance of playing in that tournament?
A: Obviously, it was crucial to get a win against Korea, the first time in 18 years I believe. More importantly, we proved to ourselves that we are a force to be reckoned with in Asia. We can put up a good fight against stronger teams like Kazakhstan and Japan. Our goal is to eventually become a top 2 team in Asia. This tournament is the first step into the right direction.
Simon Chen playing for the Kunlun Red Star in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL.ru)
Q: China has a strong domestic women’s league that has some games reach thousands of fans. What is the current situation for men’s hockey?
A: The plan is to start the men’s league this December with 4 teams and 18 regular season games, plus playoffs. The league allows 5 imports for each team, but no goalies. It’s a good starting point to let the players play some competitive hockey. Hopefully in the future we can attract more teams and sponsors.
Q: Hockey appears to be rapidly growing in China with an increase in players, more rinks, and better international results. What do you believe to be the catalyst behind this and what must be done to ensure development continues?
A: We had a brand new hockey federation after the Olympics. The management really wanted to [put an emphasis] on youth hockey development, creating more game opportunities for minor hockey, and hiring proven high-level professional coaches for all the national teams. For the men’s team, the core of the team have had the experience of playing in the KHL, VHL, and other professional leagues. These experiences carried over to the national team, allowing the vets to better guide the younger players, to develop. At the end of the day, we are on a mission, and that is to make Chinese hockey competitive again.
Simon Chen playing for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing (?)
Bonus Q: Who is the best player you have played with and the best player you have played against during your career?
Bruno Idžan playing for the Croatian National Team (IIHF)
Bruno Idžan is an 18-year-old forward who represents Croatia internationally. He has already played 32 games, scoring 43 points, at the senior, U20, and U18 levels up until this point. Most notably, Idžan has won gold medals with Croatia at the 2022 World Junior Championship D2B, 2022 U18 World Championship D2B, 2023 World Junior Championship D2A, and 2024 World Championship D2A.
After spending the last three seasons playing junior hockey in Sweden, Idžan has returned home to Croatia and will play his first professional season with KHL Sisak. This will also be the inaugural season for Sisak in the Alps Hockey League. Prior to Sisak’s participation in Round 1 of the IIHF Continental Cup, where Idžan scored 7 (2+5) points in 3 games, I asked the forward questions about his goals for this season, the national team, and the current state of Croatian ice hockey.
Interview
Q: How did you first start playing hockey?
A: I started playing hockey mostly because there was a KHL/EBEL club in my home town Zagreb and I went to all their games and experienced high tier hockey very early. That’s why me and a lot of other kids from Zagreb started training hockey.
Bruno Idžanplaying for the Croatian U18 NationalTeam (IIHF)
Q: You have already played in 7 IIHF tournaments for Croatia. What has been your favourite moment(s)?
A: There is a lot of great moments for me and it is hard to pick just one, but if i had to choose, it would probably be winning the two U20 championships in a row in just two months. Because I think it happens very rarely and especially in a non-traditional hockey country like Croatia.
Q: How big of an inspiration is Borna Rendulić to Croatian hockey?
A: I think he is a big inspiration to probably every kid in Croatia in a sense that even though Croatia is such a non-hockey country everything is still possible with dedication and a bit of luck, and reaching the top is not impossible like you would think when you look at a country with no hockey opportunities like Croatia.
Q: You played junior hockey in Sweden for three seasons. How has that helped you develop as a player?
A: Everybody knows Sweden is one of the biggest hockey countries in the world, so I think it is safe to say that Sweden helped me very much in becoming a player that I am. I learned most of the hockey stuff I know in Sweden so it helped me a lot.
Q: What are your goals for your first professional season with KHL Sisak?
A: I don’t really know what to expect from the season, but I think we have a good team and chemistry in the team is very good, so I think we can go a long way. Some team goals are probably trying to reach the playoffs of the [AlpsHL] and some personal goals are just to get better and try to adjust to senior hockey.
Bruno Idžan after scoring a goal for KHL Sisak in the Continental Cup (KHL Sisak/Instagram)
Q: Do you believe that Croatia (or any Balkan nation) has the potential to one day compete with the best European teams?
A: To be honest, I don’t think we are in a great position as of right now, because we have no hockey schools, no infrastructure, and the situation is not overall great. I don’t think it’s impossible that it happens one day of course, but we are very far from it as of right now.
Bonus Q: What do you do outside of playing hockey?
A: I like doing a lot of other sports like tennis and basketball, and I just hang out with friends like every other guy my age (laughs).
Dalene Rhode wearing the “C” with South Africa for the first time in 2024 (IIHF)
Dalene Rhode is one of the most inspirational players in all of women’s ice hockey. Her long-lasting commitment to the South African National Team since 2011 cannot be ignored. This past season saw the 30-year-old forward be honoured as the team’s captain for a first time. Rhode is South Africa’s all-time leader in goals (36) at the World Championship, while ranked second in points (54), and third in games played (53).
In this interview, Rhode discusses her time playing the sport in South Africa, the development of the country’s national teams, and more about her career accomplishments.
Interview
Q: When did you first begin playing ice hockey and what was your inspiration?
A: I first began my journey on the ice as both a figure skater and an ice hockey player when I was 5.5 years old. Early and late public skating sessions were where it all began for me. Being that young, I didn’t think much of it; I just loved the feeling of gliding on the ice and quickly became comfortable with skating. As I developed my skills in both figure skating and ice hockey, figure skating played a massive role in shaping my skating technique that I continue to benefit from to this day.
Discovering ice hockey at the rink was a natural progression for me. Watching players like Hilary Knight, Kelly Stack, Julie Chu, and Hayley Wickenheiser showcased their speed, skill, and dedication to the game. Hilary Knight, in particular, became my favourite player. Her incredible talent, work ethic, and leadership on and off the ice have been a constant inspiration to me. As I reached my teens, her achievements in the sport motivated me to pursue ice hockey with equal fervour.
I owe my introduction to ice skating to my mother, who took me to those early and late public skating sessions. Her support and encouragement were instrumental. In fact, she was approached to sign me up for skating, which set me on this incredible journey in sports.
Balancing both sports, I dedicated myself to learning and improving in each. They quickly became central parts of my life, each contributing unique aspects to my overall development as an athlete.
Dalene Rhode after winning the 2023 South Africa Women’s Super League with the Gauteng Huskies (SAIHF)
Q: South Africa had a difficult season, being relegated from D2B. What must be done to return to that level?
A: Returning to Division II Group B will require a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, we need to enhance our training programs. This means focusing not just on individual skills, but also on team dynamics and strategies. Ensuring our playersare in top physical and mental condition is crucial, so we’ll be implementing rigorous conditioning programs.
Developing our younger players coming into the team is another priority. By providing more opportunities for these young athletes to train and compete at higher levels, we can build a strong foundation for the future. Additionally, we need to leverage the expertise of our local coaches. They understand the unique aspects of our team and can provide tailored guidance and strategies.
We also need to gain more international exposure. Participating in international tournaments and friendly matches will help our players gain experience and learn different playing styles. Alongside this, developing and practicing strategic game plans tailored to our team’s strengths and weaknesses will be important.
Community and financial support will play a big role as well. Garnering support from the local community and securing sponsorships or funding will ensure we have the necessary resources for training, equipment, and travel.
Lastly, it’s crucial that we learn from our past mistakes. Analysing our previous games to identify areas for improvement will help us make the necessary adjustments to come back stronger.
With a concerted effort in these areas, I believe we can make significant progress and aim for a successful return to Division II Group B.
Q: You spent the 2015-16 season playing for the Bözen Eagles in Italy. How was that experience and how does the level there compare to South Africa?
A: Playing for the Bözen Eagles in Italy during the 2015-16 season was a pivotal experience that highlighted the stark differences between European ice hockey and the women’s game in South Africa. In Italy, I was immersed in a highly competitive environment where hockey is deeply ingrained in the culture. The level of play was exceptional, with rigorous training, advanced coaching techniques, and a strong emphasis on strategic gameplay.
Comparatively, women’s ice hockey in South Africa faces significant developmental challenges. The infrastructure and resources for training and competition are limited, which impacts the overall level of play and coaching standards. South Africa also lacks the exposure to international competition, as our geographical distance from other hockey nations limits opportunities for players to experience and learn from different playing styles and standards. We primarily participate in one international tournament, the IIHF, due to these constraints.
Additionally, funding is a major hurdle that restricts us from gaining more exposure through participation in international tournaments. Unlike the resources available in Europe, securing adequate funding for travel and participation expenses remains a significant challenge for us.
On a personal level, the experience with the Bözen Eagles was incredibly enriching. The team was welcoming and inclusive, involving me in all activities both on and off the ice. Despite the language barrier—since the coach spoke German—I found their support invaluable, especially in helping me understand and execute drills effectively. My ability to interpret and apply the strategies drawn out in drills improved significantly, which enhanced my performance and enjoyment of the game.
My time in Italy not only expanded my hockey skills but also broadened my cultural understanding and adaptability. It was a privilege to be part of a team that embraced diversity and fostered a supportive environment, both of which contributed to my growth as a player and as a person.
Moving forward, I am committed to using my experiences to advocate for women’s ice hockey in South Africa and to help overcome the challenges of funding and international exposure that our players face.
Dalene Rhode after winning the Italian Championship in 2016 (Simone Femia)
Q: You have represented South Africa since 2011. What has been your greatest achievement(s) with the national team?
A: Representing South Africa since 2011 has been an incredible journey filled with memorable achievements and personal growth. One of my greatest achievements with the national team, and one that every teammate would echo, is winning gold in 2019 in Bulgaria. This accomplishment stands as a pinnacle moment in my career because it symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.
Winning Gold in Bulgaria was not just about the medal itself, but the journey and the challenges we overcame as a team. It was a testament to our resilience and determination to succeed on the international stage, despite facing significant hurdles along the way. The victory not only boosted our confidence but also put South African women’s ice hockey on the map, demonstrating our potential and competitive spirit.
This achievement remains a source of immense pride for me personally and for everyone involved in the team. It signifies the progress we’ve made and motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in every game and tournament we participate in. It’s moments like these that reaffirm my passion for the sport and my commitment to representing South Africa with pride and determination.
South Africa after winning gold at the 2019 Women’s World Championship Division 3 (IIHF)
Q: Do you believe that ice hockey is developing in South Africa? What could be done to improve the level of men’s, women’s, and junior teams?
A: Yes, ice hockey is growing in South Africa, though it faces unique challenges. To improve our men’s, women’s, and junior teams, we need to focus on several key areas: enhancing infrastructure and facilities, expanding coaching programs, increasing participation through grassroots initiatives, and securing sustainable funding. SAIHA is continually striving to secure more funding, but this remains a significant challenge within our country and federation. Investing in an international coach has proven crucial; for instance, our men’s program recently invested in an international coach, resulting in noticeable improvements in the team’s style and skill level.
Bonus Q: What do you do besides play hockey?
A: Besides playing hockey, I recently started playing padel, and it quickly became my new favourite sport outside of ice hockey. Padel has been a refreshing addition to my activities, offering a different kind of physical and strategic challenge. It’s not only enjoyable but also helps me stay active and improve my coordination, which complements my hockey training.
My mom signed me up for so many sports when I was younger, so I enjoy and try every sport, including hikes, soccer, tennis, and rugby. I’m quite competitive, so any sport I can master, I aim to compete in! (laughs) Exploring these activities has been both fun and rewarding, providing me with diverse experiences and keeping me motivated both on and off the ice.
Bonus Q: Whenever retirement comes, would you have any interest in coaching?
A: Of course, I would love to give back through coaching. Currently, I assist whenever I can, and it’s a role I find incredibly rewarding. My main passion for after retirement, though, will be officiating. If possible, I would love to officiate in international tournaments while still playing, but unfortunately, the rules do not allow for both simultaneously. I’ve been told that I would need to retire from playing internationally to officiate overseas, and that’s a tough decision to consider. In the meantime, I enjoy officiating local games and plan to continue until I can be assigned to officiate at higher levels.
Dalene Rhode celebrates after scoring a goal for South Africa (IIHF)
Jacob Carey at the 2023 U18 Men’s World Championship(IIHF)
Jacob Carey is an 18-year-old forward for the New Jersey Rockets (USPHL Premier) and CBR Brave (AIHL). Being born in Christchurch, Carey has represented New Zealand at the 2024 World Championship, two World Juniors in 2023 and 2024, and also captained his nation to gold at the 2023 U18 World Championship D3B.
Interview
Q: Being from New Zealand, how did you get involved in ice hockey?
A: My brother was the first in the family to start hockey. I think it was the 2011 Winter Classic that my brother was watching on TV, still the only hockey game I’ve ever seen aired on NZ TV to this day, that sparked his interest in the sport. I thought nothing of it at the time and walked straight past it to go play on the Xbox, but after that my parents took my brother to the rink for the learn-to-play program. The Canterbury Red Devils goalie was there helping out and he had a cool custom mask so my brother became a goalie because he liked the mask and a couple years later I became a player because I wanted to score on him. Now my dad has got involved in managing the U20 national team and has a big role in the national youth development program. My mom was also a big hockey mom.
Q: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration when it comes to hockey?
A: Well my brother is the reason I started so I have to thank him for that. Once I got into the game at around 7-8 years old, my coaches Dean Tonks and Chris Eaden, who both were top players in the NZIHL, really sparked my love for the game. They were incredible to watch and years later to play with. Once I realized the NZIHL wasn’t on NHL 14 I realized the NHL was the best league in the world and I’d go watch random highlight reels on YouTube and then go try the moves and shots I saw in my backyard/garage. That’s when Datsyuk became my favourite player. But in March 2017, Johnny Gaudreau scored a sick coast-to-coast wraparound goal against Pittsburgh which really made me fall in love with the game and inspired me to start working harder so I could pull off plays like that. Nowadays I draw inspiration from pretty much everyone. I love studying players and figuring out what makes them good and how they do it and try to learn bits and pieces from everyone to benefit my game. Players like Hyman and Tanev I’ll always look up to as they weren’t necessarily highly regarded prospects, but took the long road to achieve their goals.
Jacob Carey playing for the CBR Brave in the AIHL(Australian Ice Hockey League)
Q: You spent this season playing in the USPHL Premier and now the AIHL. How would you compare those leagues?
A: The AIHL is definitely for the most part better. Obviously, the Premier isn’t the highest junior league available but there are certainly a lot of talented players playing there. Because there are so many teams, you’re going to have a lot of teams varying in talent. The top teams are pretty darn good. CJR for example, who we got to battle it out with a few times throughout the year, won it all and skated circles around a lot of the competition. Also, it’s juniors so players are still finding their way as hockey players. The AIHL on the other hand, is a men’s league so most of the players have already been through juniors. There is still a bit of disparity in talent between the best local players and the rest, just as is in the USPHL. However, the top talent in the AIHL is incredible. I’m very fortunate in Canberra to be surrounded by some of the best local players in Australia and NZ and some of the best imports in the league. For example, on my team alone, we have the Kubara brothers who have all had success at pretty high levels overseas and are staples in the national team and league, especially Casey. Cangelosi, one of our imports, also had a very successful tenure at Boston College from 2013/14 to 2016/17 and has experience in the AHL and DEL. There are also a couple players with NHL experience in Melbourne. Needless to say, there is no shortage of talent around the league with every team having at least a few players with high-level junior, college, or professional experience.
Q: What are your goals as a player?
A: My dream is for hockey to become mainstream in NZ so people don’t need to leave their homes like I did at 13 to achieve their goals. To fuel that ambition is a series of goals to help it become a reality. Starting generic, I want to look back on my career knowing I did everything I possibly could’ve done to become the best hockey player and person possible. Getting into specifics, much like most young aspiring hockey players, I want to lift the Stanley Cup. Nathan Walker from Australia did it, so I believe someone from NZ needs to do it. Of course, I have a lot of smaller, day-to-day, and season-to-season goals but they’re all in place as stepping stones to help achieve the big ones in the future. If anyone reading this can help in any way, big or small, that would be greatly appreciated!
Jacob Carey representing New Zealand at the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship(IIHF)
Q: You were apart of a New Zealand team that had their best finish at the World Juniors since 2015. What must be done to ensure consistent results from year-to-year?
A: I think we just have to keep the train on the tracks. NZ hockey is getting better and better, much thanks to the youth development program and camps. Being part of that team was special, unfortunately, I got concussed during the second game so I only got to play a few periods, but it truly was a brotherhood in there. No egos, all in, and determined to achieve the same goal, to win. Next year I’m convinced gold is ours for the taking. My experience was much the same with the Ice Blacks. Unfortunately, we came away 2nd best at both tournaments, though the short-term expectation moving forward is always going to be to win and we showed through our play this year that it’s a very realistic goal. For us long term, I don’t think the definition of success is going to be gold every year, because in that case, we’d be expecting to beat Canada in 5 years, but instead getting better every year. Consistently moving up the world rankings and just getting a little bit better with every game we play.
Q: From my understanding, players must fund their own trips when playing in tournaments for New Zealand. Does this have a negative impact on the progression of the sport and if so how?
A: Yes, it for sure does impact the growth of the sport. If you compare hockey to other mainstream sports such as rugby, soccer, and basketball, it becomes a luxury sport just to play, especially in NZ where equipment and ice rinks are hard to come by. You can’t just go to the park and play hockey with your friends like you can with the aforementioned sports unless you wanna play street hockey, but not enough people are in the sport to be able to do that. So there’s that component where it’s hard to get into and stay in the sport in the first place. Now you factor in the sacrifice/investment you and your parents have put in to be able to get to be a national team caliber player. The early mornings, late nights, broken sticks, hard work, finance, etc. That’s where I’ve been very fortunate as my family has sacrificed a lot to help support my journey. Nevertheless, now you’re at the top of the country and you have to pay a lot of money to represent your country. It’s unfair to compare hockey to other big sports right now as they all get paid to play for the national team whereas we have to pay to play making hockey a secondary priority for most to work, school, or other life commitments. That certainly stunts the growth of the sport to some capacity. That being said, the hockey community is full of great people and is growing and getting better every year. I remember when I first started, there were about 15 maybe 20 kids on the ice at once. Now, I go home to help out the rink is flooded with kids and families. It’s great to see. Growing up I played the same team of about 10 kids every Sunday morning. Now, there is a u12 cross-ice super-league with numerous teams playing at once. at both ends of the ice and they are much better than when I was their age.
Jacob Carey playing for the Canterbury Red Devils in the NZIHL (James Allan/Instagram)
Bonus Q:What is the greatest accomplishment of your career?
A: I think my greatest accomplishment is yet to come. But for now, I’m proud of the work we’ve put in and will always put in to achieve my goals.
Bonus Q: Your go-to pre-game meal?
A: Sweet potatoes and chicken.
You can follow Jacob Carey on Instagram @ jacob.carey94
