CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Danièle Sauvageau (Montréal, QC/Montréal, PWHL) will serve as general manager of Canada’s National Women’s Program through the 2030 Olympic Winter Games, effective immediately.

Sauvageau will also maintain her position as general manager of the Montréal Victoire in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) during the 2026-27 season, with the expectation of joining Hockey Canada full-time as vice-president of hockey operations and general manager of Canada’s National Women’s Program for the remaining three years ahead of the 2030 Olympics in the French Alps.

In her role, Sauvageau will serve as general manager of Canada’s National Women’s Team while helping guide the National Women’s Under-18 Team and National Women’s Development Team.

The selection process was led by a search committee, including three National Women’s Team alumnae—committee chair and Hockey Canada board member Gillian Apps (Toronto, ON), Therese Brisson (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC) and Cassie Campbell-Pascall (Brampton, ON)—as well as president and chief executive officer Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), vice-president of hockey operations Misha Donskov (London, ON), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Own The Podium high performance advisor Cara Thibault (Calgary, AB) and Brad Treliving (Penticton, BC).

“We are thrilled to announce Danièle Sauvageau’s return to Hockey Canada as general manager of the National Women’s Program. Danièle brings a wealth of experience in professional and international hockey, including as the first Canadian head coach and general manager to win an Olympic gold medal and the only Canadian general manager to win a Walter Cup,” Salmond said. “We are confident in Danièle’s vision to develop our athletes on and off the ice and we are excited for her to implement her strategy with the National Women’s Program during the 2026-27 season and throughout this Olympic quadrennial.”

“Throughout her career, Danièle has enjoyed tremendous success, and while we know there is a lot of work ahead for our National Women’s Program, we have a leader in place who is a proven winner and knows what it will take to be successful at the 2030 Olympic Winter Games,” Henderson said. “Danièle will also be empowered to ensure our elite development pathway is producing exceptional athletes and people in a system that is innovative, proactive and uniquely Canadian.

“The explosion of women’s and girls’ hockey has created a need to be more aggressive with elite player development, and Hockey Canada is committed to being a leading organization that provides opportunities for more participants to develop in our system and hopefully wear the Maple Leaf as they represent our country.”

Sauvageau was the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Builder Category as an Honoured Member in 2025. She has served as general manager of the Victoire since the team’s inception in 2023 and led the team to a Walter Cup championship in 2026. She also spent time as the associate head coach and general manager of Team Harvey’s with the PWHPA (2022-23), associate coach with the Canadiennes de Montréal in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (2018-19), and general manager and initiator of the University of Montréal women’s hockey program (2010-16, 2017).

Internationally, Sauvageau was an assistant coach (1996-97) and head coach (2000-02) of Canada’s National Women’s Team, capturing gold at the 2001 IIHF World Women’s Championship and 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the latter of which she also served as general manager. She was named to the Order of Canada in 2012 for her extraordinary contributions to the game of hockey and has been involved in the game for over 30 years.

“Joining Hockey Canada as general manager of the National Women’s Program is a privilege,” said Sauvageau. “Working alongside the country’s best women’s hockey players and staff as we prepare for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games is an incredible opportunity and we have our sights set on showing the very best performance at every opportunity along the way. I have incredible memories of representing Team Canada and understand the preparation and collaboration required to achieve success at the international level.”

The National Women’s Team coaching staff for the 2026-27 season will be announced in the coming weeks.

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 that the organization, alongside National Women’s Team general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL) and head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/San Jose, PWHL), have mutually agreed that the pair will not return to the National Women’s Program for the 2026-27 season. A search committee has been established to identify the next general manager of Canada’s National Women’s Team. 

The search committee will include three National Women’s Team alumnae—committee chair and Hockey Canada board member Gillian Apps (Toronto, ON), Therese Brisson (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC) and Cassie Campbell-Pascall (Brampton, ON)—as well as vice-president of hockey operations Misha Donskov (London, ON), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), Own The Podium’s high performance advisor Cara Thibault (Calgary, AB) and a current member of Canada's National Men's Team management group, Brad Treliving (Penticton, BC).

“Gina and Troy were instrumental to tremendous success with our women’s team in their respective roles and we are grateful for the time and effort that was given to Canada’s National Women’s Team,” said Salmond. “Moving forward, Hockey Canada is looking to bring in the best available candidate for the general manager position with the National Women’s Team who will focus on implementing the strategy and vision of the program heading into the 2026-27 season and our next quad.”

Under contract through the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Kingsbury and Ryan were instrumental in the preparation of Canada’s National Women’s Team through multiple IIHF Women’s World Championships, Rivalry Series and Olympic Winter Games, including Canada’s gold medal victory in Beijing in 2022, back-to-back gold medals at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championships and gold at the 2024 Women’s Worlds.

“Hockey Canada is extremely grateful for the commitment, passion and expertise that Gina and Troy displayed each time they represented Canada with our National Women’s Team,” said Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer. “We cannot thank them both enough for providing world-class treatment to our women’s hockey program and exemplifying what it means to be a leader on the international stage.”

The successful candidate will be in charge of hiring the next head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team, along with the coaching staff, management group and support staff.

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

MILAN, Italy – Canada's Women’s Olympic Team opened the scoring, but dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime to the United States on Thursday to finish with a silver medal at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

After a scoreless first period, Canada capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity 54 seconds into the middle frame. Laura Stacey (Kleinburg, ON/Montreal, PWHL) found a trailing Kristin O’Neill (Oakville, ON/New York, PWHL) in the slot, and she slipped a backhand behind American netminder Aerin Frankel.

“There are a lot of emotions, but I am really proud of the way my team played. I am very sad with the result because we came so close to winning, but I am grateful to be in this situation and I’m proud of the way we represented Canada,” O’Neill said. “I am not surprised with the way we played tonight, because this team always brings its best in these big moments. We have so much experience in our room and we really showed that tonight.”

Canada held onto the one-goal advantage until the U.S. pulled Frankel for an extra attacker with 2:23 remaining in regulation and scored the equalizer to send the game to three-on-three overtime. Megan Keller beat Ann-Renée Desbiens (Clermont, QC/Montreal, PWHL) 4:07 into extra time for the game-winner. Desbiens was stellar in net for Canada, finishing with 31 saves.

“I think the benefit of having an experienced group is that they know how to put things into perspective. We can’t get caught up in the outside noise and what people say about us; we can only focus on the commitment to play the right way,” said Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL). “For those who have questioned this group, I hope once again they’ve shown why they deserve the credit they’ve earned playing together over the years. We don’t get too caught up in the noise, it comes with the territory and I’m definitely proud of this group.”

Following the gold medal game, Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, QC/Montreal, PWHL) was named Best Forward and was also named to the media all-star team. Poulin etched her name in the history books once again Thursday, breaking the record for the most games played by a Canadian at the Olympic Winter Games with 27.

“We wanted to play in-your-face, relentless hockey and that’s what we did,” Poulin said. “We knew it was going to be a battle from both teams. It’s Canada and the U.S. in the gold medal game—it’s one of the best rivalries in sport. Obviously, we came up short, but I’m really proud of this group.”

A full game summary can be found at HockeyCanada.ca.

Canada finished second in the Group A standings with a 3-0-0-1 record in the preliminary round, defeating Switzerland, Czechia and Finland and recording its only loss against the United States. Canada booked its spot in the gold medal game with a 5-1 win over Germany in the quarterfinals and a 2-1 semifinal win over Switzerland.

At the Olympic Winter Games, Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team has won five gold medals (2022, 2014, 2010, 2006 and 2002) and three silver medals (2026, 2018, 1998).

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

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (DEC. 13)

The 2025-26 edition of the Rivalry Series comes to a close Saturday night at Rogers Place as Canada’s National Women's Team hosts the United States in the fourth and final game.

Last Meeting & Last Game

It was a wild Wednesday night in Edmonton as the Canadians finished on the wrong end of a 10-4 final score in Game 3. Sarah Fillier opened the scoring just 48 seconds after the puck dropped and Sophie Jaques potted a pair of goals, but the U.S. opened up a 4-1 lead after the first period and never looked back. Julia Gosling has the other goal for Canada, which actually outshot the Americans 34-29.

What to Watch

One of a quartet of potential first-time Olympians on the Canadian blue line—alongside Nicole Gosling, Chloe Primerano and Kati Tabin—Jaques doubled her career offensive output in the span of 6:35 on Wednesday night, keeping the Canadians momentarily within striking distance. The Toronto product burst onto the scene with the Minnesota Frost last season, leading all PWHL defenders in scoring (7-15—22 in 25 games played) and earning a Defender of the Year nomination before averaging almost a point per game in the playoffs (2-5—7 in eight games played), helping the Frost defend its Walter Cup championship. One of the first signings by the expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes, Jaques has been terrific on the West Coast in the early weeks of the new season, recording a goal and three points in five games.

Abbey Murphy continued her standout season Wednesday, scoring twice and adding two assists to up her Rivalry Series total to eight points (5-3—8) in three games. She has been even better with the University of Minnesota, ranking second in the NCAA in points per game with 1.89 (34 points in 18 games), and her 20 goals are good for second in all of college hockey. Kendall Coyne Schofield contributed a goal and two helpers in the Game 3 victory. The 33-year-old has been producing in the PWHL as well; the Frost captain is co-leading the league in scoring with five points (1-4—5) in four games for the two-time defending champions.

One More Game!

In the Edmonton area and want to watch the final game for Team Canada ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy? Tickets are on sale for Saturday night’s series finale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

A Look Back

How has Canada fared in its other pre-Olympic finales? Not including exhibition games immediately preceding the Games in the host country, the Canadians have fashioned a 4-3 record.

The list—all games against the Americans—includes a 4-2 win in Colorado Springs in 1998 (goal and assist from Jennifer Botterill and Hayley Wickenheiser), a 3-2 loss in Vancouver in 2002 (goals from Botterill and Wickenheiser), a 5-3 loss in Winnipeg in 2006 (goal and an assist from Gina Kingsbury), a 3-2 shootout win in Ottawa in 2010 (SO winner from Jayna Hefford), a 3-2 loss in Toronto in 2013 (goals from Natalie Spooner and Brianne Jenner), a 2-1 overtime win in Edmonton in 2017 (OT winner from Jennifer Wakefield) and a 3-2 overtime win in St. Louis in 2021 (OT winner from Marie-Philip Poulin).

All-time record: Canada leads 108-86-1 (25-22 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 539
United States goals: 491

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (DEC. 10)

After a one-month hiatus, the Rivalry Series returns Wednesday night in the Alberta capital as Canada’s National Women's Team welcomes the United States to Rogers Place for the penultimate game in the series.

Last Meeting & Last Game

The Canadians and Americans clashed in Buffalo, New York, back on Nov. 8, with Canada finishing on the wrong end of a 6-1 final score. Marie-Philip Poulin converted on a second-period power play to cut the American lead in half, but four unanswered U.S. goals in the third frame provided the final margin of victory. Kayle Osborne made her Team Canada debut between the pipes, finishing with 26 saves.

What to Watch

After sitting out the first two games of the series, veteran forward Brianne Jenner draws back into the Canadian lineup. It will mark her 184th international game, drawing even with Jennifer Botterill for the sixth-most games played with Canada’s National Women’s Team. The Oakville product is the leading Canadian scorer in the early weeks of the PWHL season, posting five points (2-3—5) in four games with the Ottawa Charge. She equalled the league record of four points in a single game when she scored twice and added two assists in a win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes on Nov. 26. Jenner has the second-most career points against the Americans, recording 51 (22-29—51) in 92 games.

Jenner shares the PWHL scoring lead (five points) with a trio of Americans, all of whom will be on the ice in Edmonton and all of whom ply their trade professionally with the Minnesota Frost. Veteran leader Kendall Coyne Schofield has four goals in as many games with the Frost, alongside Kelly Pannek (2-3—5) and league assists leader Britta Curl-Salemme (0-5—5). On the back end, defender Caroline Harvey is toying with her college opposition, racking up an NCAA-leading 37 points, including 28 assists, in just 18 games with the University of Wisconsin.

Welcome to Edmonton!

These games in Edmonton – tonight and Saturday – mark the final contests before Team Canada defends its Olympic gold medal in Milan.

In the area and want to be there? Tickets are on sale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

A Look Back

Despite Edmonton’s place in Canadian hockey history, this will be just the second time Canada and the U.S. have faced off in the city.

In the finale of a six-game pre-Olympic series on Dec. 17, 2017, Jennifer Wakefield scored 4:34 into overtime to give the Canadians a 2-1 win. Poulin scored on a first-period power play and Edmonton native Shannon Szabados made 34 saves.

It’ll be the eighth meeting on Alberta ice, pulling even with Quebec for the third-most among Canadian provinces (Ontario – 29, British Columbia – 16). In addition to the Wakefield win in 2017, Canada has one other extra-time victory in Alberta, and it was a memorable one – Poulin scored 7:22 into OT to give Canada gold at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

All-time record: Canada leads 108-85-1 (25-22 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 535
United States goals: 481

CALGARY, Alberta – In its final international competition ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Hockey Canada has named the 25 players who will be part of Canada’s National Women’s Team for the last two games of the Rivalry Series, Dec. 10 and 13 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Three goaltenders, eight defence and 14 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL) and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting. Assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/Montréal, PWHL) and Britni Smith (Port Perry, ON/Syracuse University, AHA), along with goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL), also provided input.

This is the second time Edmonton will provide the backdrop for games between the cross-border rivals; on Dec. 17, 2017, Jennifer Wakefield scored with 26 seconds remaining in overtime to lead Canada to a 2-1 victory in the conclusion of a six-game series ahead of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are excited to bring our rivalry with the Americans back to Edmonton, giving fans one last chance to watch and cheer their hockey heroes before the Olympics,” said Kingsbury. “These last two games are crucial in our preparations with the Milan Cortina Games less than 70 days away. We are confident we have built a group that will give us a chance to be successful as we finish off the series in front of our fans and a hometown crowd.”

The roster features 20 players who suited up for the two games played in the U.S. last month (Ambrose, Fast, Fillier, Gardiner, J. Gosling, Jaques, Kraemer, Maltais, Maschmeyer, O’Neill, Osborne, Poulin, Primerano, Serdachny, Shelton, Spooner, Stacey, Thompson, Turnbull, Watts). Canada dropped the opening games of the Rivalry Series, falling 4-1 in Cleveland, Ohio, and 6-1 in Buffalo, New York.

Following the Rivalry Series, Canada’s management team and coaching staff will continue to evaluate players during the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and collegiate seasons before naming Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team in January.

Fans still have an opportunity to secure their seats for the Rivalry Series. Individual tickets start at $50 (plus applicable fees and taxes). A two-game package is also available starting at $80 (plus applicable fees and taxes). Fans can visit HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets to secure their seats.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast both games; check local listings for details.

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

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOV. 8)

It’s right back to action for Canada’s National Women's Team, which looks to bounce back from an opening-game loss when the Rivalry Series continues Saturday night in Buffalo.

Last Meeting & Last Game

The latest edition of the Rivalry Series got started Thursday night in Cleveland. Sarah Fillier got the Canadians going early, converting on a power play midway through the first period, but the would be all the offence Canada could muster. Ève Gascon was solid in her National Women’s Team debut, making 22 saves, but the Canadians finished on the wrong end of a 4-1 final score.

What to Watch

That Fillier was the first Canadian on the scoresheet in the 2025-26 season shouldn’t have come as a surprise to many – for a couple of reasons. First, the goal was the 12th for the Georgetown, Ontario, product in 32 career games against the Americans (0.38 GPG). That’s the second-best goals-per-game among any current player (minimum 10 GP), behind only the incomparable Marie-Philip Poulin (41 G in 101 GP). Second, Fillier just scores goals, period. She is up to 43 in her Team Canada career, already the 16th-most in National Women’s Team history, and she has an outside chance to crack the top 10 with a big season. Fillier also potted 13 goals in her PWHL Rookie of the Year campaign last season, good for fourth in the league.

On the southern side of the 49th parallel, Taylor Heise continues to show why she was the first-ever No. 1 pick in the PWHL. The Minnesota native was in on all four goals in the series opener, scoring once and setting up all three of Abbey Murphy’s goals. Heise has cooled off in recent international seasons but is still among the most dangerous Americans – she has recorded 42 points in four appearances at the IIHF Women’s World Championship and has a trophy case that includes MVP honours from Women’s Worlds and U18 Women’s Worlds, and back-to-back Walter Cup championships with the Minnesota Frost, earning playoff MVP honours in 2024.

Coming to Edmonton!

The Rivalry Series returns to Canada next month with a pair of games in Edmonton on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13 – the final games before Team Canada defends its Olympic gold medal in Milan.

Two-game packages and single-game tickets are on sale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

A Look Back

Despite its proximity to the border, and its international hockey history, this is just the second time Canada and the U.S. have faced off in Buffalo, and the first since Feb. 2, 2000 – a 4-1 victory for the Americans.

Overall, though, no state has hosted Canada vs. U.S. more than New York; this will be the 12th meeting in the Empire State (including a pair of Women’s Worlds gold medal games in 1994 and 2024), with Canada holding a narrow 6-4-1 (W-L-T) advantage.

All-time record: Canada leads 108-84-1 (25-22 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 534
United States goals: 475

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOV. 6)

A new season begins Thursday for Canada’s National Women's Team as the puck drops on the latest edition of the Rivalry Series with a showdown against the United States at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

Last Meeting & Last Game

The North Americans rivals last met in the gold medal game at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in the spring, in what was – to the surprise of absolutely no one – an instant classic. A flurry of four goals in just over two minutes midway through the second period saw Danielle Serdachny and Jenn Gardiner answer a pair of U.S. goals to send the game to the dressing room tied 2-2 after 40 minutes, and Sarah Fillier scored to force overtime with just under six minutes to go, but the Canadians fell agonizingly short in a 4-3 extra-time loss. 

The most recent Rivalry Series clash came in early February in Summerside, P.E.I., when third-period goals from Gardiner and Laura Stacey gave Canada a 3-1 victory and a five-game triumph in the series.

What to Watch

With the 2026 Olympic Winter Games just three months away, Canadian head coach Troy Ryan has infused his lineup with youth as he prepares to make tough roster decisions for Milan. A handful of veteran mainstays – Emily Clark, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Jocelyne Larocque and Brianne Jenner – will watch these two games from the sidelines, giving way to a number of players who appear set to make their Team Canada debuts, including Ève Gascon, Caitlin Kraemer, Hannah Miller, Kayle Osborne and Kati Tabin. Serdachny is pushing for an Olympic spot of her own in Italy; the Edmonton product has been lights out against the U.S. in her short career – she has scored in each of the last two Women’s Worlds gold medal games (including the overtime winner in 2024) and has recorded eight points (5-3—8) in 14 games.

The Americans have brought a 30-player roster to Cleveland that is littered with international experience. Only one player – 21-year-old defender Emma Peschel – has not worn the Stars and Stripes at the IIHF Women’s World Championship or Rivalry Series. A pair of U.S. standouts are within striking distance of milestones this season – Hilary Knight needs 14 points to reach 300 for her career, while Kendall Coyne Schofield is five games and eight points shy of 200.

Coming to Edmonton!

The Rivalry Series returns to Canada next month with a pair of games in Edmonton on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13 – the final games before Team Canada defends its Olympic gold medal in Milan.

Two-game packages and single-game tickets are on sale at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets. 

A Look Back

It’s all-time meeting No. 193 between the Canadians and Americans, meeting No. 67 on American ice (where Canada has a 36-29-1 advantage) and just the second in Ohio – Jayna Hefford scored late and Sami Jo Small made 27 saves, but the Canadians dropped a 2-1 shootout decision on Nov. 27, 2005 in Columbus.

Canada has won 10 of the last 15 played games south of the 49th parallel since the start of the 2021-22 season, although in true Canada-U.S. fashion, six of the 15 have required overtime. The Canadians have won five of those six, getting two extra-time winners apiece from Serdachny and Marie-Philip Poulin, along with a shootout victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 108-83-1 (25-22 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 533
United States goals: 471

sounds MONTRÉAL, Quebec – Following its week-long training block in Montreal, Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players who will represent Canada’s National Women’s Team for a pair of games in the 2025-26 Rivalry Series, Nov. 6 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Nov. 8 in Buffalo, New York.

Three goaltenders, eight defence and 14 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL) and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting. Assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/ Montréal, PWHL) and Britni Smith (Port Perry, ON/Syracuse University, AHA), along with goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL), also provided input.

“These four games are more than just a mini-competition between two rival nations; they remain an important measuring stick for us as we continue building toward the 2026 Olympic Winter Games,” said Kingsbury. “We have focused our training blocks on fine-tuning our on-ice identity and paying attention to the details that we believe will drive our success. The four games are a critical step in that process, and we are excited to see it all come together on the ice.”

The roster includes 20 players who won a silver medal with Canada at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Ceske Budejovice, Czechia last spring (Ambrose, Fast, Fillier, Gardiner, Gascon, Gosling, Jaques, Maltais, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Primerano, Serdachny, Shelton, Spooner, Stacey, Thompson, Turnbull, Watts, Zandee-Hart).

Kayle Osborne (Ottawa, ON/New York, PWHL), Kati Tabin (Winnipeg, MB/Montreal, PWHL), Caitlin Kraemer (Waterloo, ON/University of Minnesota Duluth, WCHA) and Hannah Miller (North Vancouver, BC/Vancouver, PWHL) will make their National Women’s Team debuts in the cross-border competition.

Rogers Place in Edmonton will host the final two games in the series on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13, with the puck dropping on both games at 7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET. Fans can secure their seats by purchasing tickets at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta will also announce grassroots initiatives that will take place leading up to the Rivalry Series games, ensuring the next generation engages with Canada’s National Women’s Team.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all four Rivalry Series games; please check local listings for details.

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

Dear Hockey,

You’ve been with me my entire life.

From the moment I first stepped on the outdoor rink in Sudbury at three years old, bundled up head to toe, playing alongside my brothers and sisters in -30 degrees and swirling snow, I fell in love with you. You were pure joy. You were freedom. You were family.

Now, after a lifetime of playing the game I love, it’s time for me to say goodbye to you as a player. It’s hard to find the words to describe how much you’ve meant to me, but here it goes!

Growing up in Sudbury, in a house with five siblings who all played hockey, competition was part of our daily lives. Whether we were battling it out on the outdoor rink or racing to be first on the ice for practice, we pushed each other to be better. That drive and passion started there, in the cold, in the chaos, in the joy of playing with the people I loved most.

Though we all played many sports, you were always my number one. Hockey was where I felt most alive.

From boys’ hockey in my early years to playing for the Sudbury Lady Wolves in high school, every step of the journey shaped me. I was fortunate to have incredible teammates and coaches who believed in me, challenged me and helped me grow. The community in Sudbury, the rinks, the early mornings, the frozen toes, will always hold a special place in my heart. I was lucky to grow up surrounded by supportive family, friends and teammates. My siblings were my fiercest competition and my biggest inspiration. And my parents, they were everything. My dad was my coach, my mentor, the one who always found ways to help me improve. My mom was my rock, a calming presence supporting me through all my ups and downs. They gave up so much to make sure all of us had the chance to chase our dreams and I am forever grateful for their sacrifices.

After high school, I took the next step and headed to Cornell University. My parents and sisters were a huge influence in that decision, and I am so lucky to have them as role models. Those four years were some of the best of my life. I received a world-class education while playing the game I love at the highest collegiate level. I learned how to balance life as a student-athlete, how to lead, how to listen, how to grow. The Frozen Four appearances, the early mornings on the ice with Coach Doug Derraugh, who went above and beyond to help me improve. All of it shaped me into the player and person I became. Cornell was where I truly discovered who I was, both on and off the ice.

And then came my dream to play at the Olympics.

I was just 20 when I played in my first Olympic Games: Vancouver 2010. I’ll never forget the pride of putting on the Team Canada jersey, representing my country on the world stage. That feeling never faded, not in Sochi, PyeongChang or Beijing. Each Olympics was its own journey, its own test of resilience and heart. I am proud to have won four Olympic medals, three gold and one silver, but even more proud of the people I shared those moments with.

I still remember watching the Salt Lake City Games in 2002 with my dad. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be there one day. Seeing the women’s and men’s teams win gold for Canada, the emotion, the unity and the passion, it lit a fire in me that never burnt out. To eventually live that dream and to share those moments with my family, especially my parents, is something I’ll cherish forever. I’ll never forget the moment that first gold medal was hung around my neck. I was able to spot my parents in the stands with 20,000 other spectators, all of them wearing red and white. My parents were in tears. I had never seen my father cry before, and the pride and joy on his face is something I will never forget.

Another important chapter of my career was playing in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), where I had the honour of winning two Clarkson Cups with the Calgary Inferno. The league provided a platform for so many of us to compete at a high level and to continue chasing our dreams. While the CWHL has since folded, I look back on those years with immense pride and gratitude. It’s been incredible to witness the rise of a new professional league that is thriving and finally getting the recognition we all dreamed of. I may not have had the chance to play in this new era, but I’m proud to have been a small part of the journey, helping grow the game, break barriers and pave the way for what’s now possible. Seeing the sport flourish the way it is today fills me with hope, pride and excitement for the future of women’s hockey.

Being part of the Hockey Canada program for over 15 years has truly been the honour of a lifetime. From the management and coaches to the incredible staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes, I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of such a world-class organization. Hockey Canada gave me the opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stages, at the Olympics and numerous world championships, and I will never forget the feeling of wearing the Maple Leaf. It was always more than just a jersey; it was a dream come true and a responsibility I never took for granted.

Hockey has given me so much more than medals and championships. It gave me purpose. It gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. It taught me about sacrifice, commitment, teamwork, perseverance and love. It took me around the world, introduced me to people who inspired me, and helped me grow into the person I am today.

Even though I’m retiring from playing, I’m not saying goodbye. Hockey will always be a part of me. I’m so excited to continue giving back to the game, working in player development with the Calgary Flames and helping the next generation grow, just like so many helped me along the way.

Thank you, hockey… for everything.
For the memories on the outdoor rinks in Sudbury.
For the teammates and coaches who believed in me.
For the early mornings, the heartbreaks, the triumphs and the lessons.
For making me who I am.

With love and gratitude,

Johnny