Key Takeaways
- Hockey Canada has announced its final 23-player roster for the Olympic women’s hockey team
- Captain Marie-Philip Poulin will lead the team in their bid to repeat their gold medal performance from Beijing in 2022
- The roster includes a mix of veteran players and new faces, with 15 players returning from the 2022 Olympic team
- Canada will face stiff competition from Team USA, who have dominated recent meetings between the two teams
- The 2026 Olympics will take place in Milan, with Canada looking to win their sixth gold medal in women’s hockey since the sport was added to the Olympic calendar in 1998
Introduction to the Olympic Roster
Hockey Canada has unveiled its final 23-player roster for the Olympic women’s hockey team, with captain Marie-Philip Poulin headlining the squad. The team will look to repeat their gold medal performance from Beijing in 2022, and Poulin will be joined by a number of experienced players, including Laura Stacey, Brianne Jenner, and Natalie Spooner. The roster was selected from a pool of 30 athletes who trained with the team throughout the season, and general manager Gina Kingsbury said that the process of narrowing down the roster was "always a challenging process."
The Selection Process
According to Kingsbury, the decision to select the final 23 players was carefully considered, with every player being evaluated on their skills and performance throughout the season. The team began the year with 30 athletes, and Kingsbury said that the coaching staff was confident that they had selected a highly motivated and eager group of players who take great pride and passion in wearing the Maple Leaf. Poulin, who will be competing in her fifth Olympic Games, said that it was an "incredible honour" to wear the Maple Leaf, and that she was excited for the opportunity to compete for a gold medal at the Olympics.
The Roster Breakdown
The Canadian roster has a heavy veteran presence, with 15 players returning from the 2022 Olympic team. The forward group includes players like Poulin, Stacey, Jenner, and Spooner, as well as new faces like Kristin O’Neill, Julia Gosling, and Daryl Watts. The defensive group is also experienced, with players like Renata Fast, Erin Ambrose, and Jocelyne Larocque returning from 2022. In net, Ann-Renee Desbiens will be back for her third Olympic Games, backed up by Emerance Maschmeyer and Kayle Osborne. The team will be looking to draw on their experience and skill as they compete for a gold medal at the Olympics.
Competition from Team USA
While Canada has a rich history of success in women’s hockey, they will face stiff competition from Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. The USA team has dominated recent meetings between the two teams, including a sweep of the Rivalry Series this fall. The USA team also beat Canada in both meetings at the 2025 World Championships, including the gold medal game. As a result, Canada will enter the 2026 Olympics as the decided underdog, and will need to be at the top of their game if they hope to win a gold medal.
The Road to the Olympics
The Canadian team has been training and preparing for the Olympics for several years, and the players are eager to get started. Poulin said that the team was "excited for the opportunity ahead of us in Milan," and that they were looking forward to competing against the best teams in the world. The Olympics will be a challenging tournament, but the Canadian team is confident that they have the skill and experience to compete for a gold medal. With their rich history of success and their experienced roster, Canada will be a team to watch at the 2026 Olympics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Canadian women’s hockey team has a strong roster and a rich history of success, but they will face stiff competition from Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. The team is eager to get started and is looking forward to competing against the best teams in the world. With their experienced roster and skilled players, Canada will be a team to watch at the Olympics, and they will be looking to win their sixth gold medal in women’s hockey since the sport was added to the Olympic calendar in 1998. The Olympics will be a challenging tournament, but the Canadian team is confident that they have what it takes to succeed.
