Canada reveals its women’s hockey team for Milan 2026, blending veterans and new stars as they chase another Olympic gold amid fierce U.S. rivalry.
A Gold-Defending Mission Begins
First, the wait is over. Canada has officially revealed the 23-player women’s hockey roster set to defend Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games. With that announcement, the pressure instantly followed. Yet, so did excitement.
Because this team blends battle-tested champions with rising stars, expectations already sit sky-high. And while Canada brings confidence, the road ahead looks anything but easy.
Experience Leads the Way
To start, Canada leans on experience. Sixteen players return from the gold-medal run in Beijing in 2022. As a result, leadership flows through every line.
Marie-Philip Poulin once again anchors the group. Meanwhile, veterans like Brianne Jenner, Sarah Nurse, and Natalie Spooner add scoring punch. At the same time, emerging talents such as Jennifer Gardiner inject fresh energy.
Altogether, Hockey Canada selected 13 forwards, seven defenders, and three goalies to form a balanced, fast, and skilled roster.
Full Roster at a Glance
Forwards:
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
Defenders:
Sophie Jaques, Jocelyne Larocque, Renata Fast, Ella Shelton, Erin Ambrose, Claire Thompson, Kati Tabin
Goaltenders:
Ann-Renée Desbiens, Emerance Maschmeyer, Kayle Osborne
Clearly, depth stands out across every position.
A Brutal Group Awaits
Next, the challenge sharpens. Canada opens the tournament on Feb. 5 against Finland in Milan. Then, the schedule tightens fast.
After that opener, Canada faces Switzerland on Feb. 7, Czechia on Feb. 9, and longtime rival USA on Feb. 10. Notably, Group A includes the world’s top five teams. Therefore, every game matters.
Meanwhile, Sweden, Germany, Japan, France, and host Italy compete in Group B. Eventually, all Group A teams and the top three from Group B advance to the quarterfinals.
The Rivalry That Never Rests
Of course, the shadow of the United States looms large. Recently, the Americans swept the Rivalry Series in the fall. Even more, they outscored Canada 24-7 and claimed the 2025 world championship in overtime.
Historically, Canada and the U.S. meet in almost every Olympic final. Because of that, Milan feels destined for another chapter in hockey’s fiercest rivalry.
A New Path to Olympic Prep
This cycle looks different. Previously, players trained together in Calgary for months. However, the Professional Women’s Hockey League changed everything.
Instead, Canada invited 30 players, most from the PWHL, to three short training camps before the season began. Consequently, coaches focused on fast decisions and chemistry under pressure.
Leadership Behind the Bench
Behind the scenes, strong leadership guides the group. General manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan led selections, supported by a seasoned staff.
Importantly, their Olympic pedigrees run deep. Kingsbury, Caroline Ouellette, and Cherie Piper alone combine for multiple gold medals. Therefore, they know exactly what it takes to win.
History on the Line in Italy
Since women’s hockey joined the Olympics, Canada has claimed five of seven gold medals. Still, nothing comes easy now.
Although roster sizes expanded at world championships, Olympic limits remain at 23 players. As a result, every selection carried weight.
Ultimately, when Canada steps onto the ice in Milan, the mission stays simple: skate fast, play smart, and bring gold back home—again.
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