Nela Lopusanova 14, wins the Women’s U-18 Championships

It’s not often a 14-year-old hockey player bursts into a top-flight international tournament and leads the competition in scoring. In fact, it’s never happened, until now. Meet Slovakia’s Nela Lopusanova, a 14-year-old phenom who competed this week at the women’s U-18 World Championship.

In four games, Lopusanova has notched seven goals and ten points to lead Slovakia into the quarterfinals and will have a chance to add to those totals in Slovakia’s placement game. It wasn’t how many points she scored — although both totals were records — but how she scored her goals.

In the quarterfinal game, Lopusanova lifted fans from their seats, as she hoisted the puck onto her stick while circling the net, scoring in what has become known as the “Michigan,” a lacrosse-style wrap-around play. It was the first time the move had ever been successfully completed at a women’s IIHF event.

Lopusanova, who had earlier scored a hattrick against Switzerland in the tournament, responded humbly to media questions after the match. “I’m amazed and happy I could help the team out as much as I did, I can’t explain it in words,” Lopusanova said in a post-game interview translated by teammate Lily Stern.

In other flashes of brilliance, Lopusanova scored on a penalty shot, and a breakaway against Slovakia to open the tournament showcasing her puck skills on both, and went between her legs while driving around a Japanese defender before scoring top shelf; a goal that dazzled onlookers prior to her “Michigan” tally.

Lopusanova, who plays for MsHKM Zilina in Slovakia’s top women’s league, is dangerous on a number of fronts. She has excellent hands and puck skills, both in deception and protecting the puck. Lopusanova is a quick release player who can pinpoint her accuracy when she finds space. Lopusanova was often seen by her teammates, but she also created her own chances off of the forecheck and by taking space and time from the defensive side.

Her memorable tournament, which saw Slovakia eliminated in the quarterfinals at the hands of Sweden, isn’t a flash in the pan. Lopusanova in Slovakia has scored 40 goals, and 71 points over 16 games. Her impressive stats will make her one the most sought-after NCAA recruits for the next few years.

To put Lopusanova’s scoring at the 2023 women’s U-18 World Championship in perspective, only 28 other players have ever tallied 10 or more points in a single tournament year. Twenty of those players were 17-years-old, six were 16 years old, and Tereza Polosova was 15. This list includes Marie-Philip Poulin and Amanda Kessel, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Natalie Spooner. Melodie Daoust is also included. Lopusanova has one more game to go and will try to continue her 14-year-old record.

No 14-year-old on the women’s side has ever scored more than three points in a tournament, except Lopusanova. On the men’s side, no 14-year-old has ever registered a point. As 15-year-olds, Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard both scored 14 points in the men’s U-18 tournament. Lopusanova’s seven goals tied Bedard, and sat one behind McDavid for most ever, regardless of gender. Lopusanova is a 15 year old. What’s next? We’ll have to wait and see. The roster will be available to support their star, as Slovakia is eligible to return 16 players.

Undoubtedly, she is one of the most brightest young stars worldwide and fans can expect more highlight reel moments from her. Lopusanova spoke about Team Slovakia, but her words could also be used to describe her bright future.

“You can expect big things, just wait and see.”

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