Canada Reveals Women’s Hockey Team for Milan Winter Olympics
Canada’s women’s hockey team, tasked with defending their Olympic gold medal, has been officially announced for the Milan Winter Olympics. The roster, revealed by Hockey Canada in Toronto, features a strong lineup with 16 players returning from the victorious 2022 Beijing squad.
Key Facts about Canada’s Women’s Hockey Team
- Opening Match: Canada will begin their defense of the gold medal on February 5 against Finland.
- Roster Composition: The team includes 13 forwards, seven defenders, and three goalies.
Forward Players
- Laura Stacey
- Sarah Fillier
- Brianne Jenner
- Emily Clark
- Emma Maltais
- Sarah Nurse
- Marie-Philip Poulin
- Kristin O’Neill
- Blayre Turnbull
- Jennifer Gardiner
- Daryl Watts
- Natalie Spooner
Defensive Lineup
- Sophie Jaques
- Jocelyne Larocque
- Renata Fast
- Ella Shelton
- Erin Ambrose
- Claire Thompson
- Kati Tabin
Goalkeepers
- Ann-Renée Desbiens
- Emerance Maschmeyer
- Kayle Osborne
Group Stage Matches
Canada’s group stage matches will include:
- February 7: vs. Switzerland
- February 9: vs. Czechia
- February 10: vs. USA
Group A consists of the top five seeds in the world, including the U.S. The other group, Group B, includes Sweden, Germany, Japan, France, and host Italy. Following the group stage, all teams in Group A and the top three from Group B will advance to the quarterfinals, with semifinals scheduled for February 16 and medal games on February 19.
Historical Context
Canada has a rich history in Olympic women’s hockey, claiming five gold medals out of seven tournaments since the sport’s introduction at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. They reclaimed the gold in Beijing with a close 3-2 victory over the United States. In previous Olympics, the U.S. defeated Canada in a shootout in PyeongChang in 2018.
Recent Developments
The formation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has transformed Canada’s preparation for the Olympics. Previously, athletes would train in Calgary for months before the Olympics. However, this year, a selection of 30 players participated in training camps prior to the league season, which commenced on November 21.
Coach Troy Ryan and general manager Gina Kingsbury, both highly decorated players, played vital roles in selecting the Olympic team. Input also came from assistant coaches and player development experts. Notably, women’s world championship team rosters are expected to increase from 23 to 25 players in future tournaments, although this change will not apply to the Milan Olympics.
