MANKATO, Minn. – Former Minnesota State defensemen Anna Reich (formerly Anna Fiegert) and Lena Düsterhöft joined Team Germany for the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship in Calgary, Alta. Germany skated in Group B with the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary and Japan. The tournament began Monday, Aug. 20 and ran through Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Reich made her fourth appearance at the IIHF Women's World Championship after playing in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Reich posted two points with a pair of helpers over the course of skating in six games during the 2021 games. In 22 games at the World Championships, Reich has scored four goals and collected five assists for nine points. Reich played for Minnesota State from 2013-17 and served as a captain during her final two seasons. She competed in 130 career games and garnered 22 points which included five goals and 17 assists. Reich currently sits 10th all-time for points by a defenseman at Minnesota State. 

Düsterhöft also made her fourth appearance at the IIHF Women's World Championship after participating in 2015, 2017 and 2019 in 16 games. Now with 22 games in the worlds under her belt, Düsterhöft notched her first career IIHF point in the form of one assist at this year's tournament. Düsterhöft finished her career at Minnesota State in 2019 after playing four seasons for the Mavericks from 2015-19. She collected eight career points with two goals and six assists in 83 career games played. Düsterhöft was honored with Minnesota State's Daniel Mundahl Service Award following her senior season for all her work volunteering in the Mankato community throughout the 2019 campaign. 

Minnesota State has had four players participate in the IIHF Women's World Championships. In addition to Reich and Düsterhöft, former Mavericks Nina Tikkenen and Emilia (Andersson) Ramboldt have also taken the ice. Tikkenen, who played at Minnesota State from 2007-11, played for Team Finland at the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013 at the IIHF Women's World Championships. Tikkenen also played for Team Finland in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. Ramboldt, who played for Minnesota State from 2008-13, played for Team Sweden at the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 IIHF Women's World Championships. Ramboldt also competed as an olympian in 2010, 2014 and 2018 for Team Sweden.

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