Sixteen experienced players from the gold-winning team in Beijing will lead the Canadian women’s hockey team at the upcoming Olympics in Italy. Among them is captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who holds the record for the most golden Olympic goals in hockey history, regardless of gender.
Poulin, aiming for her fifth Olympic medal in her fifth Games, joins the elite company of only two other hockey players, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford, who have achieved this feat. Expressing her gratitude, Poulin highlighted the honor of representing Canada and inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams.
The team comprises returning forwards like Sarah Fillier, Laura Stacey, Emma Maltais, Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, Emily Clark, Natalie Spooner, and Brianne Jenner. Jenner and Spooner, both competing in their fourth Olympics, have previously clinched gold in 2014 and 2022.
Seven players will debut at the Olympics, including Daryl Watts, Kristin O’Neill, Julia Gosling, and Jennifer Gardiner. Notably, Poulin outshines in points since the PWHL inception, while O’Neill excels as a faceoff specialist and fourth-line center.
The defensive lineup sees familiar faces from 2022, such as Renata Fast, Erin Ambrose, Jocelyne Larocque, Ella Shelton, and Claire Thompson. Additionally, Sophie Jaques and Kati Tabin will make their Olympic debuts, offering the team cohesion from their PWHL partnerships.
In the goalkeeping department, Ann-Renée Desbiens is expected to start, supported by Emerance Maschmeyer and Kayle Osborne. The selection process, according to Canadian GM Gina Kingsbury, involved careful consideration of talented athletes, resulting in a highly motivated squad.
Team Canada’s preparation differed this year due to the absence of centralization, with players training in the PWHL and attending three camps in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. The players’ performance in the Rivalry Series and PWHL significantly influenced the final roster selection.
Noteworthy omissions included 19-year-old Chloe Primerano, Micah Zandee-Hart, and Nicole Gosling, while potential call-ups like Caitlin Kraemer and Danielle Serdachny remain contingent on Sarah Nurse’s injury status. The goaltender decision came down to Kayle Osborne and Ãve Gascon, with Osborne securing the spot.
All 23 selected players compete in the PWHL, distinguishing Canada from the U.S. team, which includes seven college players. Hockey Canada’s president, Katherine Henderson, commended the athletes for their selection and expressed excitement for their performance at the Olympics.
Canada’s Olympic journey begins on Feb. 5 against Finland, with Group A also featuring the United States, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. The gold-medal match is scheduled for Feb. 19, with Canada aiming to add to its five Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey.