The 2019–20 Euro Hockey Tour was the second season of the six-team Euro Hockey Tour (EHT) format, first implemented in the 2018–19 season. It was played over four tournaments: a four nation tournament in Finland, a five nation tournament in Russia, a four nation tournament in Germany, and concluded with a six nation tournament in Sweden. The women's national teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland participated in at least one tournament; Finland was the only national team to participate in all four tournaments.
The boycott staged by the players of the Swedish women's national team () against the Swedish Ice Hockey Association (SIF) concerning, among other issues, player treatment and team conditions, necessitated adjustments in two of the EHT tournaments in the 2019–20 season. The Swedish players announced the boycott on 14 August 2019, days before they were scheduled to compete in the first Euro Hockey Tour tournament of the season, and quick reshuffling of the tournament was required. The boycott was ended on 14 October 2019, when the players' union and the SIF agreed to new terms and conditions for the national team, principally concerning compensation for lost earnings while participating in national team training and competition and a guarantee of full insurance coverage for any injuries sustained while playing with Damkronorna, among others. The team's much delayed training camp was held during 4–8 November 2019 and the conflicting dates caused the Swedes to cancel their participation in the EHT tournament in Dmitrov held during 6–10 November 2019. The Swedish national team appeared in the remaining two tournaments as scheduled.
Four Nations Tournament in Vierumäki The 2019–20 season began with a Euro Hockey Tour tournament in Vierumäki (), a four nations tournament (also stylized as "4 nations tournament") featuring the national teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, and Russia. It was principally played in Vierumäki, Finland, with single matches being played in Kerava, and Mikkeli, during 18–24 August 2019. Sweden cancelled its participation in the tournament due to the ongoing boycott of the national team players. Finland swept the tournament to claim a decisive victory for the host nation.
Standings
Results All times local, UTC+2.
Top Scorers Petra Nieminen, 7 points (5+2) Jenni Hiirikoski, 7 points (2+5) Noora Tulus, 6 points (1+5) Michelle Karvinen, 5 points (2+3) Hanae Kubo, 4 points (2+2)
Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association
Top Goaltenders Meeri Räisänen, 97.4% save percentage Nana Fujimoto, 94.9% save percentage Eveliina Suonpää, 92.0% save percentage Nadezhda Morozova, 90.9% save percentage Valeria Merkusheva, 90.0% save percentage
Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association
Individual awards Best Goaltender: Meeri Räisänen Best Defender: Jenni Hiirikoski Best Forward: Olga Sosina
Source: IIHF
Five Nations Tournament in Dmitrov The Five Nations Tournament in Dmitrov (; also stylized as "5 Nations Tournament") was played during 6–10 November 2019 at Dmitrov Arena () in Dmitrov, Russia. The tournament was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of women's ice hockey in Russia. The women's national teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, and Switzerland participated; the Swedish national team declined to join the tournament as they had ended their boycott only several weeks prior and were in the midst of training camp at the time of the tournament. The Czech Republic were victorious in all of their matches and won the tournament.
Standings
Results All times local, UTC+3
Top Scorers Alena Mills, 6 points (3+3) Minnamari Tuominen, 6 points (2+4) Klára Hymlárová, 6 points (1+5) Nina Pirogova, 6 points (0+6) Yelena Provorova, 5 points (3+2)
Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association
Individual awards Best Players of the Tournament Best Goaltender: Klára Peslarová Best Skater(s): Alena Mills, Olga Sosina
Source: Czech Ice Hockey Association
Four Nations Tournament in Füssen The Four Nations Tournament in Füssen (; also stylized as "4 Nations Tournament") was held 8–12 December 2019 at the Bundesleistungszentrum (BLZ-Arena) in Füssen, Germany. The Swiss team had an impressive showing and were surprise champions of the tournament.
Standings
Results
Leading Scorers Lara Stalder, 6 points (4+2) Alina Müller, 5 points (3+2) Laura Kluge, 5 points (1+4) Dominique Rüegg, 4 points (3+1) Noora Tulus, 4 points (3+1) Rahel Enzler, 4 points (1+3)
Source: German Ice Hockey Federation
Leading Goaltenders
Sara Grahn, 93.6% Save percentage Saskia Maurer, 90.0% save percentage Jennifer Harß, 87.5% save percentage Meeri Räisänen, 83.3% save percentage Jenna Silvonen, 81.3% save percentage
Source: Finnish Ice Hockey Association
Individual awards Best Players of the Tournament Best Goaltender: Jennifer Harß Best Defender: Minnamari Tuominen Best Forward: Lara Stalder
Six Nations Tournament in Sweden The 2019–20 Euro Hockey Tour Play Off (alternatively called the 2019–20 Euro Hockey Tour Finals or Six Nations Tournament in Tranås and Eksjö, also stylized as "6 Nations Tournament") was played during 5–8 February 2020 in Eksjö and Tranås, Sweden. The tournament featured the national teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland, and was played over two rounds, a group stage followed by the final placement matches. In the group stage, the teams were divided into groups of three and played a single round robin to determine their positions for the finals. Group A included Finland, Germany, and Switzerland and its matches were played at Storgårdshallen in Eksjö. Group B included the Czech Republic, Russia, and Sweden and its matches were played at Stiga Arena in Tranås. The final placement matches were played at Stiga Arena in Tranås. The Czech Republic faced Germany in the fifth place match, Russia faced Switzerland in the third place match, and Finland faced Sweden in the first place match. Finland won the match against Sweden to become the 2019–2020 Euro Hockey Tour champions.
Standings
Results Group A
Group B
Finals
Fifth Place Game
Third-place game
Final
Leading Scorers of the Tournament
Petra Nieminen, 8 points (3+5) Susanna Tapani, 8 points (1+7) Michelle Karvinen, 7 points (4+3) Anna Shokhina, 5 points (1+4) Jenni Hiirikoski, 4 points (1+3)
Source: Swedish Ice Hockey Association
Leading Goaltenders of the Tournament Klára Peslarová, 96.23% save percentage Noora Räty, 92.59% save percentage Jennifer Harß, 92.54% save percentage Sara Grahn, 90.74% save percentage Saskia Maurer, 89.04% save percentage
Source: Swedish Ice Hockey Association
Individual awards Best Players of the Tournament Best Goaltender: Klára Peslarová Best Defender: Jenni Hiirikoski Best Forward: Anna Shokhina
Source: Swedish Ice Hockey Association
References
Game references