PWHL Detroit’s four Americans helped the United States open the IIHF Women’s World Championship with a 7-0 win over Switzerland on Friday in Denmark. Hilary Knight scored in her 16th world championship, and Hannah Bilka scored twice for the defending champions.

Knight’s goal gave her 68 goals and 121 points in 88 world championship games, extending her records for the tournament. Laila Edwards also scored twice, Casey O’Brien and Kirsten Simms added goals, Caroline Harvey had three assists, and Aerin Frankel posted the shutout. Jesse Compher and Cayla Barnes are Detroit’s other two players on the U.S. roster. Switzerland’s roster includes Detroit goaltender Andrea Brändli; game reports did not say whether she played.

In Group B, Canada beat Sweden 5-1 behind two goals and an assist from Jessie Eldridge. Detroit forward Daryl Watts is on the Canadian roster. Finland beat host Denmark 4-1. In Group A, Czechia beat Austria 4-1 in Austria’s first game in the top division.

Detroit’s presence in Denmark

Eight PWHL Detroit players and three staff members are at the tournament. General manager Manon Rhéaume is an assistant general manager for Canada, and head coach Josh Sciba and assistant Molly Engstrom are on the U.S. bench as assistant coaches. Defender Nina Jobst-Smith plays for Germany and forward Akane Shiga for Japan.

What’s next

The U.S. faces Jobst-Smith and Germany on Sunday. The preliminary round runs through Nov. 11, with the medal games on Nov. 16. PWHL Detroit opens training camp Nov. 18 and plays its first regular-season game Dec. 6 at Las Vegas, before its Little Caesars Arena debut Dec. 12 against the New York Sirens.

Earlier on Mitten Hockey: Eight PWHL Detroit players head into the Women’s World Championship.

Sources

• Associated Press (via MyMotherLode): Knight scores as US rout Swiss in women’s hockey worlds and Canada eases past Sweden
• Tyler Kuehl, Daily Faceoff: 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship top standouts, Day 1
• WXYZ: 11 PWHL Detroit players, staff to participate in IIHF Women’s World Championships
• Izzy Morton, The Ice Garden: PWHL Detroit’s guide to the World Championship
• Michigan Public: PWHL Detroit 2026 schedule
• PWHL: PWHL talent ready for 2026 Women’s Worlds

Correction (November 9, 2026): This story originally placed Czechia’s game against Austria in Group B. It was a Group A game. It has been corrected.