Sixteen veterans from the winning team in Beijing, who secured gold, will lead the Canadian women’s hockey team at the upcoming Olympics in Italy. The team is spearheaded by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, renowned for scoring the most Olympic goals in hockey history. Poulin aims to clinch her fifth Olympic medal in her fifth Games, a feat achieved by only two other players, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford.
Expressing her gratitude, Poulin commented on the honor of representing Canada at her fifth Olympics. The team roster was disclosed at the Canadian Olympic Committee headquarters in Toronto. Notable forwards from the 2022 team making a return include Sarah Fillier, Laura Stacey, Emma Maltais, Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, Emily Clark, Natalie Spooner, and Brianne Jenner. Jenner and Spooner will be participating in their fourth Olympics after securing gold in 2022 and 2014.
Furthermore, seven players will make their Olympic debut, including Daryl Watts, Kristin O’Neill, Julia Gosling, and Jennifer Gardiner. Noteworthy is Poulin’s remarkable performance in the PWHL, outscoring all players since 2024. O’Neill is recognized for her role as a faceoff specialist and fourth-line center, creating a challenging environment for opponents.
Gardiner’s commendable season with the Goldeneyes and Gosling’s impressive performance with Seattle are highlighted. The 2022 blue line members, including Renata Fast, Erin Ambrose, Jocelyne Larocque, Ella Shelton, and Claire Thompson, will return. Sophie Jaques and Kati Tabin will make their Olympic debut, with the advantage of playing together in the PWHL, fostering strong partnerships within the team.
In the goaltending department, Ann-Renée Desbiens is expected to lead, supported by Emerance Maschmeyer and newcomer Kayle Osborne. The final team selection process was challenging, as emphasized by Canadian GM Gina Kingsbury, who praised the team’s dedication and passion for representing Canada.
Unlike previous centralized training, the team was assembled through training camps in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. Performance in the Rivalry Series games against the United States and the PWHL also influenced player selection. Notable surprises and omissions occurred, with young talents like Chloe Primerano and Micah Zandee-Hart narrowly missing out on a spot.
The team’s composition includes all 23 players from the PWHL, contrasting with the American team incorporating seven college players. Hockey Canada’s president, Katherine Henderson, commended the selected players and expressed anticipation for their performance at the Olympics. The tournament will kick off on Feb. 5, with Canada facing Finland in the opening match. Group A comprises the United States, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland alongside Canada, with the gold-medal game scheduled for Feb. 19. Canada has secured five Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey since 1998.