Key Takeaways
- Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the 23-player roster for the women’s hockey team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
- The team includes 16 players who won gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 20 who earned a silver medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
- Seven players will make their Olympic debuts, and the team will be led by experienced players such as Marie-Philip Poulin and Ann-Renée Desbiens.
- The team will compete in Group A with Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, and the United States, with their first game against Finland on February 5, 2026.
- The team’s roster was selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury, head coach Troy Ryan, and Cherie Piper, senior manager of player development and scouting.
Introduction to Team Canada
The Canadian women’s hockey team has announced its 23-player roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The team, which includes a mix of experienced players and newcomers, will be led by general manager Gina Kingsbury, head coach Troy Ryan, and Cherie Piper, senior manager of player development and scouting. The roster was selected after a thorough evaluation process, which included training camps, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), and the collegiate season, as well as the Rivalry Series with the United States.
The Selection Process
The selection process for the team was rigorous and involved evaluating a deep pool of talented players. The management and coaching staff had to pare down the roster to the final 23 players, which was a challenging process. However, they are confident that they have selected a highly motivated and eager group who take great pride and passion in wearing the maple leaf. The team includes 16 players who won gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 20 who earned a silver medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Team Canada’s Experience and Talent
The team has a good balance of experience and youth, with seven players making their Olympic debuts. Marie-Philip Poulin, who will be competing in her fifth Olympic Games, said, "It is always an incredible honour to wear the Maple Leaf, and being selected to my fifth Olympic Games is something I never could have dreamed of as a little girl!" The team’s experience and talent will be crucial in their quest for a gold medal at the Olympics. The team’s roster includes goaltenders Ann-Renée Desbiens, Emerance Maschmeyer, and Kayle Osborne, as well as defenders Erin Ambrose, Renata Fast, Sophie Jaques, Jocelyne Larocque, Ella Shelton, Kati Tabin, and Claire Thompson.
The Road to Milano Cortina 2026
The team will compete in Group A with Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, and the United States. Their first game will be against Finland on February 5, 2026, at 3:10 p.m. ET/12:10 p.m. PT. The team will also face Switzerland on February 7, Czechia on February 9, and the United States on February 10. The women’s hockey tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will take place from February 5 to 19, 2026, at the Milano Rho Arena and Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Support for Team Canada
The team has received support from Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, Katherine Henderson, who said, "As proud Canadians, we are inspired by your accomplishments, and we can’t wait to cheer you on as you wear the maple leaf on the world stage and compete for a gold medal in Milan." The team has also received support from the Canadian Olympic Committee, with Jennifer Heil, Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission, saying, "Composed of elite professionals, Canada’s women’s Olympic hockey team reflects the strength and standard of the women’s game in this country."
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Canadian women’s hockey team is ready to take on the world at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With their experienced players, talented newcomers, and strong team dynamic, they are poised to make a strong run for the gold medal. Fans can follow the team’s journey on social media and cheer them on at Team Canada FanFest. The team’s roster and qualification tracker can be found on the Hockey Canada website, and media contacts are available for further information. With their sights set on the Olympics, the Canadian women’s hockey team is ready to make Canada proud.