Theresa Schafzahl Bio
Theresa Schafzahl (born 12 April 2000) is an Austrian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward and shoots left. She is a member of the Austria women’s national ice hockey team and has built a reputation as a skilled scorer at both the collegiate and professional levels. As of 2026, she plays in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) after stints with the Boston Fleet and the Seattle Torrent.
Standing 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, Schafzahl developed her game in Austria before moving to North America for college hockey. She is widely recognized for her offensive instincts, playmaking ability, and consistency in high-pressure situations.
Early Life and Background
Theresa Schafzahl was born on 12 April 2000 in Weiz, a town in the Austrian state of Styria. Growing up in Austria, she was introduced to ice hockey at a young age and quickly rose through the local and national development pathways. The sport has a passionate following in parts of Austria, and Schafzahl’s early immersion in competitive youth hockey helped shape her future in the game.
She balanced her athletic development with her education, training in a country where women’s ice hockey continues to grow. Her performances in youth international events brought her wider attention, and she represented Austria at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in the girls’ individual skills challenge, where she won a bronze medal.
Schafzahl’s formative years on the ice included multiple appearances at the IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship between 2015 and 2018, where she led Austria in scoring during her later years in the tournament. These experiences prepared her for the next stage of her career in North American collegiate hockey.
Path to Hockey
Schafzahl’s path to top-level hockey began in Austria’s youth system, where she stood out as a forward with a strong scoring touch. Her international performances at the U18 level, including leading Austria in scoring across three consecutive World Women’s U18 Championships, demonstrated her ability to perform on a big stage and caught the attention of North American recruiters.
Her participation in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics added an Olympic-level experience to her resume before she finished secondary school. Shortly after, she committed to the University of Vermont, a program in Hockey East known for developing skilled forwards.
This transition from European youth hockey to the NCAA marked a turning point in Schafzahl’s career, providing her with a more demanding schedule, stronger competition, and a platform to showcase her offensive game on a consistent basis.
Theresa Schafzahl Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Schafzahl began her collegiate career with the Vermont Catamounts during the 2018–19 season. In her freshman year, she recorded seven goals and 10 assists in 36 games, leading all Catamounts rookies in points and ranking tied for second on the team with 17 points.
During her sophomore season in 2019–20, she elevated her production with 14 goals and 15 assists in 36 games, leading the team in goals and tying for the team lead with 29 points. The 2020–21 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw her record four goals and four assists, tying for the team lead in goals.
Vermont Catamounts Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Schafzahl’s senior season in 2021–22 marked her true breakthrough. She recorded 25 goals and 21 assists in 29 games, setting Vermont’s single-season records for points (46) and goals (25). On 9 October 2022, she recorded two goals and became the program’s all-time career leader in points with 106.
Her outstanding play earned her the Hockey East Player of the Month and the HCA National Player of the Month for January, during which she led the NCAA with nine goals and 17 points in nine games. She recorded at least one point in all nine games and posted six multi-point games. Following the season, she was named a unanimous First Team All Hockey East selection, Hockey East Scoring Champion, Hockey East Player of the Year, and PNC Bank Three Stars Award winner. She was also named a CCM/AHCA Hockey First Team All-American and became the first player in program history to be a top-ten finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award.
As a graduate student in 2022–23, she recorded 21 goals and 24 assists in 36 games, leading the team with 45 points and tying Vermont’s single-season record for assists with 24. She finished her career at Vermont as the program’s all-time leader in goals (71), assists (74), and points (145).
Professional Career and Boston Fleet Era (2023–2026)
On 12 May 2023, Schafzahl signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Force of the Premier Hockey Federation, but the league ceased operations on 29 June 2023, and she never played a game for the team. On 18 September 2023, she was drafted 39th overall by PWHL Boston in the 2023 PWHL Draft, and on 1 November 2023, she signed a two-year contract with Boston.
During the 2023–24 season, she recorded three goals and three assists in 20 regular-season games and three assists in eight playoff games. She scored the team’s first-ever goal on 3 January 2024. In the 2024–25 season, she recorded three goals and two assists in 30 games with the Fleet, and on 18 June 2025, she signed a one-year contract extension. She recorded two goals and four assists in 19 games during the 2025–26 season before being traded to the Seattle Torrent on 16 March 2026 in exchange for Jessie Eldridge.
Driving Style and Strengths
Schafzahl is recognized for her offensive creativity, vision, and ability to generate scoring chances through precise passing and a strong shot. Her left-handed shot and forward instincts allow her to operate effectively in tight spaces, while her consistency in posting points reflects her strong hockey IQ and work ethic.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature achievements, Schafzahl set Vermont’s single-season records for goals and points, became the program’s all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, and scored the first-ever goal in Boston Fleet history. She is also the first Vermont player to be named a Patty Kazmaier Award finalist.
Theresa Schafzahl Career Wins
Theresa Schafzahl’s career has been highlighted by record-setting offensive production at Vermont, recognition as one of the top players in Hockey East, and a bronze medal at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in the girls’ individual skills challenge.
NCAA Highlights
Schafzahl recorded 71 goals, 74 assists, and 145 points across her Vermont career, finishing as the program’s all-time leader in all three categories. Her 25-goal and 46-point senior season set single-season records, and she earned Hockey East Player of the Year and AHCA First Team All-American honors.
International and Other Performances
At the international level, she won a bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division I and led Austria in scoring at multiple IIHF World Women’s U18 Championships between 2016 and 2018. She has represented Austria at senior World Championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022.
Theresa Schafzahl Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Schafzahl was raised in Weiz, Austria, and developed her hockey skills within the Austrian sporting system. Public details about her parents and immediate family remain limited.
Personal Life
Schafzahl has built her professional life around her hockey career, moving from Austria to the United States for college and then into the PWHL. Public information about her marital status, spouse, and children is not available.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 portion of the 2025–26 PWHL season, Schafzahl continued her role with the Boston Fleet, recording two goals and four assists in 19 games before being traded to the Seattle Torrent on 16 March 2026. Her consistent two-way play and prior scoring touch made her a reliable middle-six forward for the Fleet.
The trade marked a new chapter in her professional career, giving her a fresh opportunity with an expansion franchise in Seattle. Her track record of producing points and contributing in key moments positioned her as a player capable of making an immediate impact with her new team.
Looking ahead, Schafzahl’s blend of collegiate pedigree, professional experience, and international background suggests she will remain a steady contributor for the Torrent and a key figure in Austria’s continued growth in women’s ice hockey.