ZURICH – Junior goaltender Monja Wagner of the Union College Women's Hockey team will compete at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Games in Italy, having earned a spot on Switzerland's Olympic team as announced by the Swiss Hockey Federation on Wednesday afternoon.

This marks Wagner's inaugural appearance on Switzerland's Olympic team, and the first Union women's hockey player named to an Olympic roster. She is one of only four NCAA women's hockey players representing Switzerland, alongside Alessa Baechler of Northeastern University, Naemi Herzig of the College of the Holy Cross, and Laura Zimmerman of St. Cloud State University. 

"Getting the call to be named to the Olympic team was a moment I will never forget," said Wagner. "Representing Switzerland at the Olympics has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Knowing the Games are so close to home in Milano makes it even more special. It's a mix of pride, gratitude, excitement, and disbelief. I wouldn't be here without the incredible support around me—my teammates, friends, and staff at Union who push me every day, and my family at home who have always believed in me. I am proud, thankful, and ready for what's ahead."

Wagner, Baechler, Herzig, and Zimmermann will be teammates with notable figures including Alina Muller of the PWHL's Boston Fleet and Nicole Vallario of the PWHL's New York Sirens at the Olympic games set to take place from February 5–22. Switzerland is participating in Group A alongside the United States, Canada, Finland, and Czechia.

Wagner has previously represented Switzerland five times, including earning a spot on the National Team for the second consecutive season. She participated with Switzerland's National Team at the 2025 Lidl Hockey Games in Ängelholm, Sweden (November 5–8), and the Finnish Tournament in Lahti and Hämeenlinna, Finland (December 10–12), as part of the 2025 Women's Euro Hockey Tour. Wagner made her international debut in net at the Lidl Hockey Games, earning her first international win in a 2-1 shootout victory over Sweden and Player of the Game honors on November 7.

Wagner secured a spot on the National Team in the 2024–25 season and represented Switzerland at the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championships in České Budejovice, Czechia. She also competed internationally with Switzerland's Under-18 Team at the 2019 and 2020 IIHF U18 Women's World Championships in Obihiro, Japan, and Bratislava, Slovakia, respectively.

"We are so happy for Monja," said head coach Tony Maci. "I know it is a dream come true for her and she has worked hard to earn this incredible opportunity to wear the Swiss jersey and represent her country on the largest stage at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games." 

At Union, Wagner has appeared in 25 games, posting a 2.90 goals-against average (GAA) and .915 save percentage. Four of her five appearances as a first-year came against nationally ranked opponents, including a career-high 34 saves in her collegiate debut at #13 St. Cloud State University. As a sophomore, she recorded her first career shutout with 28 saves in a 1-0 win over Vermont, marking Union's first-ever victory against the Catamounts.

This season, Wagner has started in 14 games for Union, posting a 4-7-3 record with a 2.93 GAA and .916 save percentage. She backstopped Union to a 4-3 overtime win against #4 Cornell on November 21, marking Union's first win over a top-five opponent in program history. Wagner also posted two shutouts this season - one against Franklin Pierce University on September 26 and another against Dartmouth College on December 6.

Her shutout against Franklin Pierce, combined with first-year goaltender Emma Rhéaume's shutout against the Ravens on September 27, marked the first time in program history that a goaltending duo earned back-to-back shutouts.

Wagner's 35-save shutout against Dartmouth marked her third career shutout, moving her into second place all-time on Union's shutout list.

Switzerland begins the Olympics playing Czechia in the opening preliminary round on February 6 at 8:40 a.m. EST.