University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gophers Set for International Action During Winter Break
12/9/2025 12:03:00 PM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – While the No. 3-ranked University of Minnesota women's hockey team has wrapped up the 2025 portion of its schedule, six current Gophers and five alumnae will compete internationally with their respective national teams over the break. Captain Abbey Murphy and sophomore defender Chloe Primerano are set to represent their countries in the second leg of the 2025 Rivalry Series, while seniors Josefin Bouveng and Nelli Laitinen, along with freshman forward Tereza Plosová, will skate in the Six Nations Tournament in Finland as part of the third stop of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour. Junior forward Emma Kreisz will also suit up for the Hungarian National Team in a separate Four Nations Tournament in Dunkirk, France.
Rivalry Series: Second Leg
The United States and Canada resume the 2025 Rivalry Series this week with the first matchup slated for Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. CT. Current Gophers Abbey Murphy (USA) and Chloe Primerano (Canada) will once again compete on the international stage. Murphy will be joined by Gopher alumnae Kelly Pannek, Lee Stecklein, Grace Zumwinkle, and Taylor Heise. The two rivals will meet again on Saturday, Dec. 13, also at Rogers Place, to conclude the pre-Olympic series.
Women's Euro Hockey Tour: Third Stop
Overseas, the Women's Euro Hockey Tour continues with the Six Nations Tournament hosted in Lohja and Hämeenlinna, Finland, from Dec. 10–12. Josefin Bouveng will represent Sweden, while Tereza Plosová skates for Czechia alongside Gopher alumna Natalie Mlynkova. Minnesota captain Nelli Laitinen will compete for her home country of Finland. The tournament marks the third and final stop of the Women's Euro Hockey Tour in 2025.
Four Nations Tournament: Hungary Heads to France
Junior forward Emma Kreisz will suit up for Hungary in a separate Four Nations Tournament taking place in Dunkirk, France, from Dec. 11–13. The Hungarian national team will face France, Japan, and Slovakia in a round-robin format.
Up Next
Following the extended break, Minnesota returns to action with a two-game nonconference series at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. The Gophers will face the Pioneers on Friday, Jan. 2 at 4:00 p.m. CT, followed by a 12:00 p.m. CT puck drop on Saturday, Jan. 3.