New York Sirens forward Casey O'Brien made an immediate impact in her senior national team debut, recording two points as the United States defeated Switzerland 7-0 at the 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship on Friday.
Strong debut performance
O'Brien scored her first senior international goal 3:44 into the second period and added a secondary assist on a power-play goal at 12:56 of the same frame. She also initiated the sequence leading to Kirsten Simms' third-period goal. The 25-year-old finished with a plus-three rating, won eight of nine faceoffs, and logged 14:20 of ice time — sixth-most among U.S. forwards.
At 25, O'Brien became the third-oldest American to debut with the senior national team since the program's first Winter Olympics appearance in 1998. "I've dreamed of wearing the jersey for so long," O'Brien said during the second intermission. "So now to finally get the opportunity, I'm just really excited and excited about this group."
Path to the national team
O'Brien narrowly missed the 2026 Olympic roster after making the 30-player Rivalry Series roster for a second consecutive year. She watched from home as the U.S. won gold in Milan-Cortina. "It hurts — to go through that process and not be there in the end. But I've come to peace with it," she reflected in April. "I do believe that if I keep moving the way I'm moving, I'll be there in the next one."
Her case strengthened after a standout 2025-26 PWHL rookie season that earned All-Rookie Team honors. The No. 3 overall pick led all rookies with 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists), including 21 points over her final 22 games, while winning 53.6% of her faceoffs (10th in the league, minimum 110 attempts).
Familiar linemates boost chemistry
Coach John Wroblewski placed O'Brien on the fourth line between former Wisconsin teammates Kirsten Simms and Lacey Eden. The trio's chemistry was evident as they combined for two goals. O'Brien's first goal came after Eden poked a loose puck to her in front of the net. The line struck again in the third period, setting up Simms' tournament-opening goal.
O'Brien also saw power-play time, winning the opening faceoff and registering a secondary assist on Laila Edwards' deflection of a Caroline Harvey point shot.
Other Sirens at the Worlds
Fellow New York Sirens forward Elisa Holopainen opened the scoring for Finland in a 4-1 win over host Denmark, continuing her strong form from the Women's Euro Hockey Tour (five goals, seven points in six games) and a seven-game SDHL stint with Frölunda HC (six points).
Team Canada star Sarah Fillier, also a Sirens forward, is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained in an exhibition game against the U.S. General manager Danièle Sauvageau said the injury is on a positive track and unlikely to affect Fillier's availability for the PWHL season. Canada opened with a 5-1 win over Sweden without Fillier in the lineup.
