The 2025/26 Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) season has been one of the most entertaining in recent years.
Teams are improving, results are raising eyebrows, both local and import players are filling the highlights package each week.
With all the standouts that each team provides the AWIHL, I take a look at one player per team that has caught my eye during this season.
Blueline future looking bright
There was a bit of an exodus of experience on the defensive end at the end of the 2024/25 season for the Rush.
Aspen Cooper shifting to the Perth Inferno and Maya Tupper moving back abroad shook things up for Adelaide.
With the movement of two key pillars on the roster Anika Wegund was given more responsibility and has thrived.
The 15-year-old defender has been enormous, steady on the backend and making important plays throughout all three zones.
Wegund has composure on the puck and with confidence growing, it’s evident with eight points (four goals, four assists) from 12 games.
Wegund looks to be a key Rush piece for the next 10-15 years.
All starting to Kiliwnik
When we think about the Brisbane Lightning Lindsey Kiliwnik is a name that first pops up as one of their driving forces.
The forward puts up points each season and is a gamechanger for a Brisbane team that went all the way to the final in season 2024/25.
Kiliwnik is once again a standout, having a career season in points with 23 (10 goals, 13 assists) from 14 games played.
The arrival of Emma Wuthrich back into the AWIHL has elevated Kiliwnik even more with her new line mate.
Kiliwnik is on a four-game point streak with six goals and six assists across that span of games since Wuthrich arrived.
Enjoying the fruits of Wuthrich on the same line, the exciting forward is set to explode during the back half of the season.
Lightning look dominant again this season and Kiliwnik is a key cog in the wheel.
Nelson making a splash in the pond
An expansion year it was always going to be a wait and see scenario for the Melbourne Ducks, can they get enough wins? Would they be able to score enough goals?
While the team still needs a pure goal scoring forward, one standout this season has been Minnesota native Kellye Nelson.
Arriving from the NZIHL, Nelson has been superb in driving play and keeping the Ducks in games with her ability to find the back of the cage.
With 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) it has been the perfect addition for the Ducks in their maiden season.
New Zealand national team experience and captain of the Wakatipu Wild, Nelson has the tools to be a real veteran presence guiding the Ducks through the AWIHL.
Big bodied with terrific hands Nelson has been a shining light for the Ducks who are still searching for their first AWIHL win.
Expect Nelson to hit the 10+ goal mark by the end of the season in what would be a great outcome for the Ducks and their coaching staff.
Worth the price of admission
There aren’t many more exciting players in the AWIHL than Emily Davis-Tope.
The electric Ice forward has been a dominant force the past two seasons and has taken her game to a new level.
With a career AWIHL high of 14 goals already, EDT – affectionately known, has come up clutch for the reigning champions.
Davis-Tope has 20 points (14 goals, six assists) from 16 games played sitting third for goals in the league.
The alternate captain has a terrific two-way game, being able to make plays across all three zones while staying out of the penalty box.
Spending time at Ontario Tech University has done wonders for the Australian international, who returned to Australia for the 2024/25 AWIHL season.
At 24-years-old Davis-Tope is heading into the prime of her career, a scary prospect for the league and a blessing for the Ice.
Sure bet is Garbett
Grace Garbett entered a Perth Inferno team that were looking to get things back on track.
The Inferno had won the league, played off for a gold medal and then fallen off in recent seasons.
Arriving from the Solihull Vixens of the WNIHL Elite – top tier of women’s ice hockey in the UK, the pedigree was there.
Garbett has slotted into the Inferno seamlessly, adding grunt and strong two-way play with a physical edge.
The 22-year-old has top level experience despite the age, with 141 points (66 goals, 75 assists) in 75 WNIHL Elite games.
Futhermore, Garbett is producing for the Inferno with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) through 12 games.
Not much is known about imports before they arrive in the AWIHL, however the Inferno seem to have picked up a key piece in their Joan McKowen Trophy quest.
Sirens sniper leading the way
Some players arrive in the AWIHL and immediately hit the ground running, for the Sydney Sirens that is Shelbi Guttormson.
With four seasons at Minnesota State University, Guttormson was highly touted coming into the AWIHL.
The free flying forward wasted no time endearing herself to the Sirens faithful adding much needed scoring punch outside of captain Sarah Edney.
After 14 games Guttormson has 15 goals, when comparing to the 2024/25 season it’s five off the 20 goals Jordan Kulbida and Edney finished on.
Futhermore, no other player outside of Edney hit the 10-goal mark throughout the previous campaign.
This highlights how much Guttormson has shifted the look and structure of the Sirens under new head coach Annelie Kvisle.
With five powerplay goals Guttormson has also changed the dynamic of the special teams for the Sirens.
Currently sitting in a finals spot, if the Sirens are to see post season hockey, it will be off the back of Guttormson continuing to light the lamp.
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