Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Olympics are approaching, and Canada’s national women’s ice hockey team is expected to announce its final roster soon.
- The team’s forward group can be divided into three categories: locks, youth, and bubble players.
- The defense and goaltending positions are also being closely watched, with some players considered locks and others competing for limited spots.
- The final roster is expected to include a mix of veteran experience and young talent.
- Some notable players, such as Natalie Spooner and Brianne Jenner, are expected to make the cut, while others, like Caitlin Kraemer and Danielle Serdachny, are still on the bubble.
Introduction to the 2026 Olympics
The 2026 Olympics are rapidly approaching, and nations are set to begin announcing their final rosters in the coming weeks. With the Rivalry Series done, the PWHL season underway, and the NCAA on their holiday break, it’s a good time to take a look at the projected roster for Canada’s national women’s ice hockey team. This projection is not necessarily based on who the best players are, but rather who Canada’s brass is likely to select. The team’s forward group can be thrown into multiple categories, including locks, youth, and bubble players.
Forward Group
The locks include Marie-Philip Poulin, Laura Stacey, Daryl Watts, Sarah Fillier, Emily Clark, Emma Maltais, and Jennifer Gardiner. This group has performed consistently and continues to be trusted in key situations by head coach Troy Ryan and general manager Gina Kingsbury. Given Canada’s need to infuse youth into their lineup, it’s highly likely that Julia Gosling has done her part to earn a roster spot with Canada’s forward group. The coaching staff also loves the intangibles of veterans Kristin O’Neill and Blayre Turnbull. The final group of players are Canada’s bubble, which includes Caitlin Kraemer, and veterans Natalie Spooner, Brianne Jenner, Danielle Serdachny, Sarah Nurse, and Hannah Miller.
Bubble Players
Assuming Sarah Nurse is healthy and in game shape in time for the opening of the Milano Cortina Olympics, she will be another addition to the roster. This means there’s only two spots remaining for Canada up front to be fought for by Kraemer, Miller, Spooner, Serdachny, and Jenner. Natalie Spooner has been the best of the group at the PWHL level, although veteran Brianne Jenner has been fighting for her spot with inspired play of late. Despite their need for youth, it’s unclear if Caitlin Kraemer has done enough to separate herself from this group, and while Danielle Serdachny certainly has the skill, she has not been able to translate her talent into results this season. The edge for the final roster spots goes to Spooner, who continues to contribute in the PWHL, and had two points in four games at the Rivalry Series on a team that only had seven goals total, and Jenner, the reigning Olympic MVP.
Defense and Goaltending
The locks on defense include Renata Fast, Ella Shelton, Erin Ambrose, and Claire Thompson. This leaves a group including Chloe Primerano, Micah Zandee-Hart, Sophie Jaques, Jocelyne Larocque, and Nicole Gosling as candidates for the final three spots. Canada hasn’t shied away from the high-risk, high-reward play of Sophie Jaques, and to beat Team USA, they may need a player like Jaques who can take matters into her own hands, so she’s in. And while her play is in decline, the veteran presence and competitiveness of Jocelyne Larocque continue to be trusted by Canada’s brass. This means one spot remains for Gosling, Primerano, or Zandee-Hart. While The Hockey News’ senior contributors believe Zandee-Hart belongs on Canada’s roster above even Larocque, they predict Canada will bring Primerano to round out the blueline.
Goaltending
Ann-Renee Desbiens will be Canada’s starter and Emerance Maschmeyer will be Canada’s backup. Are they the best duo for the job? Only the results will tell. There are certainly other Canadian options, but Canada has been locked into this pair for years. Filling out the third spot, The Hockey News is projecting Eve Gascon to take the job. Kayle Osborne has played well for New York and in her lone start for Canada, but Gascon is Canada’s goalie of the future, and the experience alone is too valuable.
Final Roster Projection
Based on the analysis, the final roster for Canada’s national women’s ice hockey team is expected to include the following players: Forwards: Emily Clark, Sarah Fillier, Jennifer Gardiner, Julia Gosling, Brianne Jenner, Emma Maltais, Sarah Nurse, Kristin O’Neill, Marie-Philip Poulin, Natalie Spooner, Laura Stacey, Blayre Turnbull, Daryl Watts. Defenders: Erin Ambrose, Renata Fast, Sophie Jaques, Jocelyne Larocque, Chloe Primerano, Ella Shelton, Claire Thompson. Goaltenders: Ann-Renee Desbiens, Eve Gascon, Emerance Maschmeyer. This roster combines veteran experience with young talent, and is expected to give Canada a strong chance of competing for a medal at the 2026 Olympics.