Key Takeaways
- The United States and Canada have a long-standing rivalry in women’s hockey, with the stakes rising in the year preceding the Winter Olympics.
- The U.S. dominated Canada in their meetings in 2025, winning seven out of eight games, including the world championship final.
- The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has changed the way both countries prepare for the Olympics, with a greater emphasis on individual performances in the league.
- Canada’s Olympic roster will be selected based on a combination of national team experience, PWHL performance, and other factors.
- The risk of injury is a major concern, with the PWHL season running until January 28, just before the Olympic Games.
Introduction to the Rivalry
The United States and Canada have a long and intense rivalry in women’s hockey, with the two teams consistently competing at the highest level. The stakes are always high, but they rise even further in the year preceding the Winter Olympics. In 2025, the U.S. dominated Canada, winning seven out of eight meetings, including the world championship final. Despite this, Canadian forward Brianne Jenner remains confident that her team can defend their gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Canada’s Preparation
Canada’s preparation for the Olympics has been impacted by the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which is starting its third season in November. The league has changed the way Canada prepares for the Olympics, with a greater emphasis on individual performances in the league. Canada’s head coach, Troy Ryan, notes that the team can no longer rely on six months of training and 20-30 games together, and instead must adapt to the new landscape of women’s hockey. The PWHL has also changed the way Canada selects its Olympic roster, with a greater emphasis on individual performances in the league.
Roster Selection
Canada’s Olympic roster will be selected based on a combination of national team experience, PWHL performance, and other factors. The team’s general manager, Gina Kingsbury, has reserved the right to select players outside of the initial pool of 30 if they perform well in the PWHL. The selection process will be based on a thorough evaluation of each player’s performance, with every game watched by several coaches and reports submitted on a daily basis. The women’s management team, which includes Kingsbury, Ryan, and several other coaches and scouts, will work together to select the best possible team for the Olympics.
The Impact of the PWHL
The PWHL has had a significant impact on the way both the U.S. and Canada prepare for the Olympics. The league has provided a new level of competition and exposure for women’s hockey players, and has changed the way teams select their rosters. The U.S. carries 21 PWHL players in its pool of 30, while Canada has 28 PWHL players in its pool of 30. The league has also increased the risk of injury, with the season running until January 28, just before the Olympic Games. Kingsbury notes that injury is a major concern, and that the team is holding its breath as the PWHL season comes to a close.
Injury Concerns
The risk of injury is a major concern for both the U.S. and Canada, with the PWHL season running until January 28, just before the Olympic Games. Kingsbury notes that the team is holding its breath, and that injury is a constant worry. The team can change its roster up until its first game of the Olympic tournament, and players left off the Olympic team will be on notice that their status could change in the event of injury. Ryan notes that the team will be prepared to make changes to the roster if necessary, and that players who are not initially selected will be kept on standby in case of injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rivalry between the U.S. and Canada in women’s hockey is intense and ongoing, with the stakes rising in the year preceding the Winter Olympics. The PWHL has changed the way both countries prepare for the Olympics, with a greater emphasis on individual performances in the league. Canada’s Olympic roster will be selected based on a combination of national team experience, PWHL performance, and other factors, and the team will be prepared to make changes to the roster if necessary due to injury. As the Olympic Games approach, both teams will be looking to bring home the gold medal, and the competition is sure to be fierce.