RICHMOND, British Columbia – Hockey Canada has announced the rosters for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for a pair of three-game series against the United States, Aug. 12-15 at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

“We are thankful for all the athletes who competed and provided intense competition at the under-18 and development selection camps. There were difficult decisions in selecting the 44 players who will represent Canada against the United States in Richmond this week,” said Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development. “We are incredibly proud of all our athletes who have been selected, as any opportunity to compete against the United States is invaluable. These series will provide our players with a chance to challenge themselves on the international stage while continuing their development within our programs.”

Twenty-two players—two goaltenders, eight defence and 12 forwards—have been named to Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for its series against the United States, including six who took home silver at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Hughson, Jones, Matt, Milani, Mossey, St. Pierre). Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.  All series games will be available via livestream at HNLive.ca.

The team was selected by Piper with input from head coach Nadine Muzerall (Streetsville, ON/Ohio State University, WCHA), assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON//University of Ottawa, OUA), as well as goaltending coach Brad Fogal (Sharon, ON/Toronto, PWHL), in addition to seven regional scouts.

Twenty-two players—two goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards—have been named to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for its series against the United States. Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.

The roster includes four players who won gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Amos, Baxter, Grober, Murphy), 11 who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds (Amos, Aubin, Baxter, Caron, Graham, Grober, Kraemer, Murphy, Pais, Stonehouse, Venusio), seven who won gold at the 2025 U18 Women’s Worlds (Cimoroni, K. Manness, S. Manness, McDonald, Primerano, Tremblay, Zablocki) and seven who got silver at the 2024 Women’s Euro Hockey Tour (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Murdoch, Murphy, Pais, Venusio).

The team was selected by Piper, with input from head coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), assistant coaches Matt Desrosiers (Fort Erie, ON/Clarkson University, ECAC) and Jennifer Wakefield (Pickering, ON/Penn State University, AHA), goaltending coach Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/Seattle, PWHL) and seven regional scouts.

Five players (Adam, Disher, Iginla, Messier, Swiderski) have graduated from college and are ineligible for selection to the National Women’s Development Team for the series against the U.S.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the rosters for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team selection camps, presented by BFL CANADA, from Aug. 3-8 at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia.

Forty players—four goaltenders, 12 defence and 24 forwards—have been invited to U18 selection camp. The roster includes six players who took home silver at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Hughson, Jones, Matt, Milani, Mossey, St. Pierre).

The camp will feature on- and off-ice training sessions and practices, as well as three Red-White games from Aug. 5-8. The final roster will be selected Aug. 9 for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 12-15 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will go for gold at the 2027 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, Jan. 8-16 in Ostrava, Czechia.

“We have a talented group of young athletes, including first-time invitees and some returnees, who we are incredibly excited to begin working with at selection camp,” said Nadine Muzerall (Streetsville, ON/Ohio State University, WCHA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team. “The competition will be fierce as we look towards our goal of capturing gold at U18 Women’s Worlds in January. We are excited to begin shaping the team that will represent Canada on the international stage this season.”

Forty players—four goaltenders, 12 defence and 24 forwards—have been invited to selection camp with the development team. In addition to on- and off-ice training sessions and practices, camp features three Black-Gold games from Aug. 5-8. After the team is selected Aug. 9, Team Canada will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 12-15 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.

The roster includes six players who won gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Grober, Murphy, Swiderski), 15 who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds (Alexander, Amos, Aubin, Baxter, Caron, Clark, Graham, Grober, Kraemer, Law, Murphy, Pais, Pieckenhagen, Stonehouse, Venusio), nine who won gold at the 2025 U18 Women’s Worlds (Cimoroni, Korte, K. Manness, S. Manness, McDonald, Primerano, Tiller, R. Tremblay, Zablocki) and 12 who got silver at the 2024 Women’s Euro Hockey Tour (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Murdoch, Murphy, Pais, Palumbo, Paul, Swiderski, Venusio).

“The selection camp roster includes a wealth of experience at the U18, development, national and collegiate levels, and we are anticipating some strong competition as the athletes strive to represent Canada against the United States,” said Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team. “It is an honour to stand behind the bench with the development team, and our staff is eager to continue working with our athletes as they take the next steps in their growth within our program.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Women’s Development Team and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team during the 2026-27 season.

Team Canada legend Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) and Nadine Muzerall (Streetsville, ON/Ohio State University, WCHA) will lead the development and U18 teams, respectively, as head coaches.

“We are excited to announce Vicky and Nadine as the head coaches for our development and under-18 teams for the season,” said Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development. “Alongside their support staffs, the coaches will guide our players in taking the next step in their careers while elevating the level of play across Canada. These teams require a high level of dedication from the coaching staffs and we are confident in their abilities to guide our athletes on the international stage this year.”

Sunohara will lead Canada’s National Women’s Development Team after guiding the U18 team for the past two seasons. She will be joined by assistant coaches Matt Desrosiers (Fort Erie, ON/Clarkson University, ECAC) and Jennifer Wakefield (Pickering, ON/Penn State University, AHA), as well as goaltending coach Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/Seattle, PWHL) and video coach Carlee Campbell (Oakville, ON/University of Toronto, OUA).

Sunohara is entering her 16th season as head coach of the University of Toronto women’s hockey team, winning Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours in three-consecutive seasons (2020-23) and leading the Blues to the U SPORTS national championship tournament in each of the past three seasons (2023-25). She served as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for the past two seasons, winning U18 Women’s Worlds gold in 2025, and also won gold (2022) and bronze (2024) as an assistant coach at the tournament. As a player, Sunohara won two Olympic gold medals and seven IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medals. She ranks 10th in all-time National Women’s Team scoring with 119 points (56-63—119) in 164 games and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2025.

Desrosiers returns as an assistant coach with the development team for the second-consecutive year. He has served as head coach of the Clarkson University women’s hockey team for the past 18 seasons, leading the team to three NCAA national championships (2014, 2017, 2018) and earning Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Coach of the Year honours three times (2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18). Internationally, he won a bronze medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Wakefield will serve as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Development Team for the first time. She is entering her third season as an assistant coach at Penn State University and has also spent time as a coach with the University of Ottawa (2023-24). Internationally, she has worked with the Netherlands’ national women’s team as an assistant coach for four seasons (2021-25). As a player, Wakefield won Olympic gold in 2014 and IIHF Women’s World Championship gold in 2012. She amassed 88 points (47-41—88) in 119 games with Canada’s National Women’s Team during her 11-year career (2007-18).

Canada’s National Women’s Development Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, will take place Aug. 3-8 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Once selected, the team will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 12-15 in Richmond, B.C. Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, please click here.

Muzerall will make her international head coaching debut with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team alongside assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), as well as goaltending coach Brad Fogal (North York, ON) and video coach Jackson Rajcic (Everett, WA/Everett, WHL).

Muzerall is entering her 11th year as head coach of the women’s hockey team at Ohio State University, leading the Buckeyes to two NCAA national championships (2022, 2024). She also spent five years as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota (2011-16). Internationally, Muzerall served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for the 2016-17 season.

Côté will serve as an assistant coach with the U18 team for the third-consecutive season, winning U18 Women’s Worlds gold in 2025. He is entering his 15th season with the University of Moncton women’s hockey team, serving the last eight seasons as head coach and the previous six as an assistant. He has also served as an assistant coach for a pair of three-game series against the United States, once with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2022) and once with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team (2023). As a player, Côté won a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and bronze at the 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Quebec.

Domenico is entering her fourth year as head coach of the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team after over a decade as an assistant coach in the NCAA with Ohio State University (2010-11), Syracuse University (2011-18) and Providence College (2018-21). Internationally, she has won gold medals as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship, as well as a silver medal as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team at the 2024 Women’s Euro Hockey Tour. As a player, she won gold with Ontario Red at the 2005 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and with Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, will take place Aug. 3-8 at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Once selected, the team will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 12-15 in Richmond, B.C. Fans interested in attending the series can purchase tickets here.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will go for gold at the 2027 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, Jan. 8-16 in Ostrava, Czechia.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and a list of camp support staff, please click here.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Hockey Canada has selected 40 officials—20 referees and 20 linespersons—for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase and 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and a pair of series against the United States featuring Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team.

“This slate of summer events presents our officials with an opportunity to test themselves in international environments,” said Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC), officiating manager for Hockey Canada. “Just like the players, our officials aspire to officiate top international competition. These events are crucial opportunities to measure their progress and receive high-level coaching in an elite environment.”

The Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE) provides a pathway for Canadian officials to be selected for top national and international assignments. All officials are recommended by their provincial or regional Member before attending development camps and receive ongoing feedback prior to event selections.

2026 World Junior Summer Showcase (Windsor, ON)

The officiating coaches for the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase are Hanoomansingh and Scott Oakman (Toronto, ON).

2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Edmonton, AB)

The officiating coaches for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup are Mike Campbell (Surrey, BC), Hanoomansingh, Fraser Lawrence (Edmonton, AB) and Nathan Van Oosten (Victoria, BC).

Women’s Series vs. United States (Richmond, BC)

As part of an exchange with USA Hockey, referee Kaitlyn Sauser (Hockey Saskatchewan) and linesperson Shadei Saadé (Hockey Québec) will participate in the USA Hockey Elite Officiating Camp in Lake Placid, New York. American referee Tasha Adams and linesperson Aimee Konet will join the six Canadian officials selected for the series in Richmond. This collaboration strives to create stronger competition and success for Canadian officials at the international level.

The officiating coaches for the series are Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie (Laval, QC) and Cianna Murray (Saskatoon, SK).

For more information about the Hockey Canada Officiating Program, visit HockeyCanada.ca/Officials.

SYDNEY, Nova Scotia – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team won the silver medal at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, falling 2-0 to the United States at Centre 200 on Sunday.

It is the eight silver medal in history for Canada at U18 Women’s Worlds (2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2026).

Léa-Rose Charrois (Drummondville, QC/Saint-Laurent, RSEQ D2) was stellar in the Canadian goal, making 25 saves in her fourth start of the tournament. Charrois finished the tournament with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.

“[The fans] mean so much to us, especially being on home ice. Having that crowd behind us was amazing. It is disappointing that we could not win gold for them,” said Canadian captain Hayley McDonald (East St. Paul, MB/RHA Kelowna, CSSHL). “It was an honour to have the trust and reliability that my teammates and coaches put on me [as captain] and I feel that the whole leadership did a really good job.”

The Canadians outshot the Americans 38-25 and successfully killed the lone penalty against. Kendall Doiron (Boylston, NS/Shattuck-St. Mary’s, USHS) was named Canada’s player of the game. A full game summary can be found here.

“We battled right to the end. We played a full 60-minutes and that is all that we could have asked for. Even though the results were not in our favour, I think our group did well and I am super proud of them,” said Doiron. “I learned a lot as a person and as a player. Even with a silver medal, I feel like I learned a lot more this week than what is around my neck.”

Following the game, Sofia Ismael (St. George, ON/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite), Adrianna Milani (Oakville, ON/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) and Megan Mossey (Charlottetown, PE/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) were named to the media all-star team. Canada finished with 52 goals for—a single-tournament team record. 

“We had opportunities, but we did not bury the puck. I think that if we got one in, it could have changed the momentum, but we gave it everything we had,” said head coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA). “[The United States] is a really good team and they worked hard for a full 60-minutes; I cannot take anything away from them. Hopefully this young group will all learn from this, but it is pretty tough right now.”

Canada secured its spot in the gold medal game by finishing the preliminary round with a perfect record, defeating Switzerland (9-0), Hungary (14-0) and Sweden (9-2) before downing Finland in the quarterfinals (12-0) and Czechia in the semifinals (8-1).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, and by using #U18WomensWorlds.

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (JAN. 18)

It all comes down to this. The rivalry is renewed as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team takes on the United States for gold at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship at Centre 200.

Last Game

Canada advanced to the gold medal game after defeating Czechia 8-1 in its semifinal Saturday. Sofia Ismael led the offence with a goal and three assists. Rachel Piggott had a three-point performance (2-1—3), while Adrianna Milani and Maddie McCullough scored two goals apiece. Léa-Rose Charrois recorded her second assist of the tournament–the first goaltender to ever have multiple helpers in one year—and made 20 saves.

The United States earned its spot in the final with a 9-1 win over Sweden. Captain Maggie Averill and Emily Pohl recorded two goals and two assists each to spark the American attack. Talla Hansen chipped in with a goal and two helpers and Jane Daley scored to break the single-tournament record for goals (12).

Last Meeting

The cross-border rivals met in a three-game summer series in Lake Placid, New York, in mid-August. Canada opened the series with a 4-1 win before dropping the last two games to the Americans, 3-2 and 3-1. Kendall Doiron and Rosalie Tremblay led the Canadians with a goal and three points apiece in the series, and Megan Mossey added two goals.

The last U18 Women’s Worlds meeting was the gold medal game last year, when the Canadians earned their eighth world title with a 3-0 shutout win. After a scoreless first period, Caileigh Tiller scored on the power play midway through the second period and Dorothy Copetti extended the lead midway through the third. Stryker Zablocki added an empty-net goal and Marilou Grenier made 14 saves for the shutout.

What to Watch

The offence has brought Canada to the cusp of multiple Canadian tournament records. With their semifinal win, the Canadians have scored 52 goals in five games, surpassing the record set in 2008 (47) for the most at one U18 Women’s Worlds. After another two-goal performance Saturday, Milani has tied Caitlin Kraemer’s record (10 in 2023 and 2024) and Mossey is within two of Brigette Lacquette’s record for assists in a tournament (11 in 2010). Two players are chasing down Chloe Primerano’s single-tournament scoring record (16 in 2024): Ismael is one point away and Milani needs three points to equal the mark.

Daley has been simply dominant for the Americans. The Medfield, Massachusetts, product has already broken the tournament record for goals (she scored her 12th against the Swedes to surpass Haley Skarupa’s mark from 2012) and she is within two of the single-tournament points record of 19, set by Amanda Kessel in 2009. With linemate Kylie Amelkovich providing the setups (her 12 assists are one back of Kessel’s record of 13 from 2009), Daley scored hat tricks in all three preliminary-round games and added two goals against Hungary in the quarterfinals. She also has three of the United States’ power-play goals, part of the most effective PP unit in the tournament—11 goals in 21 opportunities (a 52.4% success rate).

A Look Back

This marks the 24th meeting between the Canadians and the Americans at the world championship, with Canada winning 10 of the first 23.

Canada has won every game against the United States since a 3-2 victory in the 2022 gold medal game in Wisconsin. Alexia Aubin opened the scoring early in the first period, and Ava Murphy and Jocelyn Amos added goals in the second to make it 3-0. Mari Pieterson made 10 of her 29 saves in the final frame to hold off an American push and help the Canadians to their first world title since 2019.

All-time record: United States leads 13-10 (6-4 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 51
United States goals: 62

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. CZECHIA (JAN. 17)

It’s Semifinal Saturday in Cape Breton as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team faces off against Czechia for a spot in the gold medal game at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada advanced to the semifinals after blanking Finland 12-0 on Thursday. Adrianna Milani led the offence with four goals—the third four-goal game by a Canadian in tournament history. Megan Mossey recorded four assists, the eighth by a Canadian and first since 2014, and Rowan Houweling made 10 saves for her second shutout in as many starts.

Czechia earned its spot in the semifinals with a close 2-1 victory over Switzerland. The Swiss got on the board first, but Johanna Tischler tied the game midway through the second period and Tereza Gildainova scored the game-winning goal with 1:49 remaining in the third.

Last Meeting

One year after Czechia shocked Canada in the semifinals of the 2024 U18 Women’s Worlds, the Canadians got their revenge in 2025, defeating the Czechs 4-2 to advance to the gold medal game. Caileigh Tiller and Stryker Zablocki each scored once and added an assist. Marilou Grenier made 19 saves, while Chloe Primerano chipped in with two assists to become the all-time leading scorer in National Women’s Under-18 Team history.

What to Watch

Generating offence has not been an issue for Canada. The Canadians have scored 44 goals in their first four games, only three off of the record set in 2008 for the most by a Canadian team at a U18 Women’s Worlds. With two games remaining, a few single-tournament Canadian records are in reach. Milani has eight goals, putting her two away from Caitlin Kraemer’s record (10 in 2023 and 2024), Mossey is within four from Brigette Lacquette’s record for assists in a tournament (11 in 2010), and Milani and Sofia Ismael need five points to equal Primerano’s record (16 in 2024).

The Czechs have spread around the scoring in Cape Breton, with six players—Tereza Gildainova (4-1—5), Julie Jebouskova (0-5—5), Andrea Kantorova (2-3—5), Adela Mynarikova (2-3—5), Aneta Paroubkova (1-4—5) and Katerina Pencikova (1-4—5), tied for the team lead with five points. In goal, Lili Chmelarova has been terrific, posting the second-best goals-against average (2.40) and save percentage (.893) among netminders who don’t play for Canada or the United States. And don’t count out experience—six players on the Czech roster (Gildainova, Jarabkova, Jebouskova, Pankova, Paroubkova and Tischler) were part of the team that stunned the Canadians in the semifinals and won silver in 2024.

A Look Back

This marks the 11th meeting between the Canadians and Czechs and it’s the third year in the row the teams will meet in the semifinals.

The two previous matchups on Canadian ice were both one-sided wins for the home country—Marie-Philip Poulin and Natalie Spooner both scored hat tricks in an 11-2 victory at the inaugural tournament in 2008 in Calgary, and Lindsay Agnew, Kristin O’Neill and Amy Potomak led Canada with two goals apiece in an 11-0 win in 2016 in St. Catharines.

All-time record: Canada leads 9-1
Canada goals: 69
Czechia goals: 11

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. FINLAND (JAN. 15)

The action shifts to Centre 200 for quarterfinal day in Cape Breton as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team takes on Finland with a spot in the semifinals on the line Thursday at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada completed a perfect preliminary round Tuesday, defeating Sweden 9-2 in Membertou. Sofia Ismael led the way with a hat trick and an assist, with Rosalie Tremblay getting the Canadians going with a pair of first-period goals. Léa-Rose Charrois made nine saves—and became the first Canadian goaltender to ever register an assist.

Finland closed its preliminary round with a 14-0 loss to the United States on Tuesday. Saimi Pesola and Pihla Ikonen made a combined 71 saves. Viola Karkkainen led the Finns in ice time, skating 23:28 against the Americans.

Last Meeting

The teams had a pre-tournament tune-up in Halifax, with Canada shutting out Finland 11-0 last Wednesday. Hayley McDonald recorded a hat trick and an assist on her birthday, while Sofia Ismael and Rachel Piggott chipped in with a goal and two assists each. Overall, eight players scored as Canada piled up 57 shots on goal, with Léa-Rose Charrois making three saves in the opening 40 minutes before Rowan Houweling entered the game to make five saves and secure the combined shutout.

The most recent tournament meeting came in the bronze medal game at the 2024 U18 Women’s Worlds in Switzerland. Chloe Primerano had two goals and an assist to close out an MVP performance, Caitlin Kraemer scored twice to become the all-time leading scorer in National Women’s Under-18 Team history and Abby Stonehouse contributed two goals of her own as Canada earned an 8-1 victory to win bronze.

What to Watch

Rosalie Tremblay has had quite the season so far. The 17-year-old is back at Stanstead College for her fifth season and recently committed to the University of Wisconsin. In November, Tremblay captained Quebec to its first-ever gold medal at the U18 Women’s National Championship, beating Team Atlantic 3-1 in the final. Tremblay led the tournament with six goals and 10 points in six games, winning Most Valuable Player honours in Newfoundland and Labrador. The forward is one of nine returning world champions to Team Canada after winning gold last year. After posting two assists in six games in Finland, Tremblay had two goals and two assists in three prelims games in Cape Breton.

Tinja Tapani and Netta Siitonen lead the Finland offence after the preliminary round—Tapani has recorded two goals, while Siitonen has a goal and an assist in three games. All but two players compete in Finland during the regular season: Katariina Junnila plays in Germany with Löwen Frankfurt and Pesola skates with the San Jose Jr. Sharks. Pesola has a 2.76 goals-against average and .907 save percentage with San Jose this season with the Sharks’ U16 AAA team.

A Look Back

This marks the 16th meeting between the Canadians and Finns, but it’s the first time they will meet in the quarterfinals.

There have been four semifinal matchups, with the Canadians holding a 4-0 record in elimination games. The last was in 2023 in Sweden, with the Canadians earning a close 3-2 overtime win. Alex Law tied the game in the middle of the third period and Ava Murphy scored the overtime winner 7:32 into extra time.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-1 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 92
Finland goals: 9

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. SWEDEN (JAN. 13)

It’s a battle of two undefeated teams in Group A as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team closes out the preliminary round against Sweden with first place on the line Tuesday at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada made it two wins in two games in Membertou, outshooting Hungary 74-11 in a 14-0 victory on Monday evening. Hayley McDonald and Adrianna Milani both recorded hat tricks, with McDonald adding on an assist for a four-point performance. Megan Mossey scored twice and had two helpers, and Rowan Houweling made 11 saves for her first international win and shutout.

Sweden earned its second win of the tournament with a 3-0 blanking of Switzerland on Monday. Inez Nygren scored early in the first period, with captain Ebba Westerlind and Ebba Hesselvall rounding out the scoring. Thea Holmberg made 16 saves for the shutout.

Last Meeting

Canada and Sweden last met in the gold medal game of the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds, with the Canadians riding a five-goal first period a 10-0 win over the hosts to earn their seventh world title. Caitlin Kraemer led the way with four goals (giving her a Canadian record of 10 in the tournament), Alexia Aubin scored twice and Ava Murphy recorded three helpers. Hannah Clark made 21 saves for the shutout.

What to Watch

How about Milani and McDonald? The duo lead Canada with four goals apiece in Cape Breton, putting them in a four-way tie for second in the tournament goal-scoring race, two behind U.S. forward Jane Daley. Milani is no stranger to scoring goals, and lots of them. The Oakville product has 12 in 17 games with the Etobicoke Dolphins this season in the OWHA U22 Elite league, after scoring 35 in 36 games a year ago. McDonald, the Canadian captain, has already equalled her goal-scoring output from the 2025 U18 Women’s Worlds, and her five points put her just two back of her total from Finland.

Hesselvall is the lone Swede with multiple goals, scoring twice and adding an assist through two games, one point off her total from last year’s tournament. Westerlind is wearing the ‘C’ in Cape Breton after finishing as Sweden’s co-leader in scoring last year with a goal and six points. The Swedes also have three 15-year-olds making their debuts: defender Elsa Blarand and forwards Tilia Lindgren and Moa Stridh.

A Look Back

Canada owns a perfect record against Sweden at U18 Women’s Worlds, with 12 wins in as many meetings.

The first meeting back in 2008 was the only time Canada has played Sweden on home ice; the Canadians had a 7-1 semifinal win over Sweden in Calgary. Marie-Philip Poulin opened the scoring on the power play, Catherine White scored twice and Camille Dumais had a goal and two assists.

All-time record: Canada leads 12-0
Canada goals: 69
Sweden goals: 11

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. HUNGARY (JAN. 12)

The preliminary round continues Monday at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship as Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team takes on Hungary at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.

Last Game

Canada took the ice for the first time Saturday night, shutting out Switzerland 9-0 to begin their tournament. Eight different players found the back of the net, including Alida Korte, who had two goals and an assist. Rachel Piggott scored and added two helpers, while Kendall Doiron and Laurie Aubin each recorded their first international goal. Léa-Rose Charrois made 11 saves for her first international shutout.

Hungary opened its tournament with a 4-1 loss to Sweden on Saturday. Captain Reka Hiezl scored midway through the second period to temporarily cut the deficit to one. Noemi Zoe Takacs made 30 saves in the Hungarian goal.

Last Meeting

Let’s go back all the way to 2013 for the last—and only—meeting between these teams. Canada earned a 4-1 win over Hungary in the preliminary round in Finland. Ashleigh Brykaliuk opened the scoring, Cassidy Carels got the game-winner shorthanded, and Karly Heffernan and Eden Murray rounded out the scoring as the Canadians outshot the Hungarians 39-12.

What to Watch

An alternate captain for the Canadians, Korte was plus-four in the tournament opener. A year ago in Finland, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native got into just two games and earned a single assist as Canada won gold. It took her just 30 minutes to surpass those numbers in Cape Breton. An Ohio State University commit in the fall, Korte has recorded 30 points (16-14—30) with powerhouse RHA Kelowna in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, second only to national team teammate Kennedy Sisson (19-16—35). Another plus-four player in the opener: Piggott. The Richmond Hill product—also a gold medal-winning returnee from 2025—has also improved on her numbers from Finland, where she posted one goal in six games. Piggott, who will play for the University of Minnesota next season, was a standout in November at the U18 Women’s National Championship, recording seven points (2-5—7) in six games for Ontario Red to finish tied for seventh in tournament scoring.

Hungary has a few players that are currently playing in North America. Hiezl attends Shattuck-St. Mary’s alongside Doiron and Canadian goaltender Rowan Houweling, and has 32 goals and 61 points in 29 games this season. Krisztina Weiler plays at the Ontario Hockey Academy in Cornwall, registering 14 goals and 32 points in 33 games with their U22 AA team. Between the pipes, Noemi Zoe Takacs is one of eight returning 2008-born veterans. In the Division 1A tournament last year, Takacs posted a 0.67 goals-against average and .969 save percentage to backstop the Hungarians to promotion.

Home Ice Advantage

Canada has hosted U18 Women’s Worlds twice before: 2008 in Calgary and 2016 in St. Catharines. So far on home ice, it has a 8-0-1-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record and has outscored the opposition 79-18, winning two silver medals.

A Look Back

As mentioned above, this marks just the second meeting between the Canadians and Hungarians.

All-time record: Canada leads 1-0
Canada goals: 4
Hungary goals: 1