Nations Cup (women's ice hockey)

The Nations Cup was an international women's ice hockey tournament. It was held annually from 1996 to 2011, though it went through several name changes and organizational shifts during its run.

Originally known as the Pacific Rim Championship, it was a competition primarily featuring teams from the Pacific region, namely Canada, the United States, and Japan. Later, it evolved to include European teams and underwent name changes to reflect its broader scope. These included Air Canada Cup, MLP Cup, and finally Nations Cup.

The tournament served as a valuable development opportunity for national teams, especially those outside the top tier, providing crucial competitive experience. While often featuring the top national teams, it also provided a platform for developing players and showcasing up-and-coming talent. The competition was not an official IIHF event, which allowed for greater flexibility in participant selection and tournament structure.

Canada dominated the tournament's history, winning the vast majority of the editions. The United States also had several victories, with other nations achieving occasional successes. Following the 2011 edition, the tournament was discontinued, with other international competitions filling the void in the women's hockey calendar. The discontinuation was likely due to a combination of factors, including scheduling challenges and the increasing prominence of other international tournaments organized by the IIHF.