The Canadian women’s hockey team is gearing up for its final pre-Olympic matches in Edmonton next week, with a roster featuring many familiar faces. The concluding two games of the 2025-26 Canada-United States Rivalry Series are scheduled for December 10 and 13 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. These games, crucial for Olympic preparations, will kick off at 9 p.m. ET.
Out of the 25-player roster, 20 athletes who participated in the initial leg of the Rivalry Series will return as the coaching staff nears final decisions on the team composition. The official 23-player Olympic team is anticipated to be unveiled in January, just in time for the team’s first game against Finland on February 5.
Canadian General Manager Gina Kingsbury emphasized the importance of these upcoming matches, with less than 70 days remaining until the Milano Cortina Games. A total of 30 players have been part of the training blocks leading up to these games, allowing the coaching staff to assess all potential candidates for the Olympic squad.
Noteworthy additions to the roster include Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark, who will make her Rivalry Series debut after recovering from an injury that sidelined her in November. Established veterans like Jocelyne Larocque and Brianne Jenner, along with starting goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens and rookie defender Nicole Gosling, are set to represent Team Canada.
However, Vancouver Goldeneyes forward Sarah Nurse will be absent from the upcoming matches due to a lower-body injury sustained during the team’s inaugural game. Several players who featured in the November games, such as Vancouver’s Hannah Miller, Montreal’s Kati Tabin, New York’s Micah Zandee-Hart, and University of Minnesota Duluth’s Ève Gascon, have been omitted from the current roster.
Of note is the ongoing eligibility uncertainty surrounding Hannah Miller, with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) previously deeming her ineligible to compete due to her past representation of the Chinese team. Hockey Canada has lodged an appeal against this ruling, awaiting a final decision.
The United States currently holds a 2-0 lead in the Rivalry Series after commanding victories in Buffalo and Cleveland last month, outscoring Canada 10-2. Kingsbury expressed confidence in the team’s collective abilities as they strive for success in front of their fans.
The final Canadian roster selection will also consider performances in the PWHL and NCAA competitions. The PWHL will pause for the Rivalry Series and resume play on December 16.
The Canadian roster comprises a mix of talented individuals, including forwards like Laura Stacey, Sarah Fillier, and Caitlin Kraemer, as well as defensive stalwarts such as Jocelyne Larocque and Renata Fast, and goaltenders like Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer.
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