Mira Jungåker Leads Sweden’s Ambitious Bid at Women’s Ice Hockey World Championship

At just 21, Mira Jungåker has emerged as a crucial figure in Sweden’s women’s ice hockey team, Damkronorna, as they prepare for the upcoming World Championship in Denmark. After a stellar season in the U.S. collegiate league with Ohio State University, where she has scored 19 points in ten games, Jungåker is eager to elevate her career further. She aspires to compete in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and become one of the world’s top defensemen, saying, “I feel that it is possible to become one of the best defensemen in the world if I just put in the effort.” Having been named Swedish women’s hockey player of the year last spring, she has already made significant international impacts, including scoring in the Olympic bronze medal match.

The Swedish national team approaches the tournament motivated, especially after their narrow overtime loss to Switzerland in the Olympics. Jungåker expressed strong competitive drive, stating, “I hope the desire for revenge shows now.” Sweden faces a tough start, opening against Canada on November 6—a team they have never beaten in World Championship or Olympic play. Head coach Erika Holst is optimistic, hoping the Canadian team might be affected by jetlag. The tournament features a new format in 2026, with two balanced groups instead of seeded and unseeded divisions. Sweden’s group stage also includes matches against Finland, Denmark, and Japan.

Jungåker’s leadership and impressive performance overseas signify her vital role as Sweden aims to secure a World Championship medal, marking a potentially historic achievement for the national team.