The Canadian national women’s hockey team’s training camp in Quebec City next month will welcome several new faces as the team embarks on a fresh Olympic cycle and rebuild. Fourteen college players will vie for a spot on the squad heading to the women’s world championship in Denmark this fall. A total of 48 players have been called up for the camp, including 18 members from the 2026 Olympic team.
Canada concluded the previous season with a defeat in the Olympic gold-medal game against the dominant Americans. Following the disappointing outcome, the country has witnessed significant changes across all levels. The team now operates under new management, spearheaded by Danièle Sauvageau, the GM of Montreal Victoire and an experienced hockey executive.
Additionally, Kori Cheverie, the recent Walter Cup-winning head coach of Sauvageau’s Victoire, has taken the reins as the new head coach. With the absence of key players like captain Marie-Philip Poulin due to a knee injury and assistant captain Blayre Turnbull, who is expecting her first child, opportunities have arisen for emerging talents such as Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer.
Players like Sarah Fillier, seen as a future leader for the team beyond 2030, will have the chance to assume more significant roles. The team is gearing up for the upcoming 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship and the subsequent Olympic quadrennial, aiming to establish its identity during the Quebec City camp.
Newcomers to the senior national team camp include promising under-18 standouts like Sara Manness, Rosalie Tremblay, and Hayley McDonald. Tremblay, aged 18, will be the youngest participant at the camp, showcasing her skills with the under-18 team in previous competitions.
Moreover, players like Jessie Eldridge and Rebecca Leslie, who excelled in the PWHL, have earned spots at the camp through their standout performances. Eldridge, known for her goal-scoring prowess, has yet to make a Canadian world championship roster since 2022 despite her impressive track record in the league.
Leslie, a key player for Ottawa Charge, has been instrumental in the team’s success and is poised to make an impact at the national level. The camp will also feature standout defenders like Nicole Gosling and Kendall Cooper, as well as NCAA goaltender Ève Gascon.
The training camp will take place from Oct. 8 to 14 at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, gearing up for the upcoming world championship scheduled to commence on Nov. 6 in Denmark.
