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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Canada Opens Strong at the 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship
The Canadian women’s hockey team began its journey in the 2026 IIHF Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, with a commanding 5-1 victory over Sweden on November 6. This triumph kicks off the 11-day, 10-nation tournament, with Canada set to face Japan in its next Group B matchup on Sunday. While the longstanding Canada-U.S. rivalry frames much of the tournament’s excitement, there are several new factors that make this year’s Canadian team especially worth watching.
The Youngest Roster in Over a Decade
According to Hockey Canada, the national team is fielding its youngest lineup for the Women's Worlds since 2013. The team's average age is 26 years, two months, and 22 days. Three tournament rookies—Rosalie Tremblay (18), Hayley McDonald (18), and Sara Manness (19)—make their debut in Denmark, alongside returning collegiate talents Chloe Primerano (19, University of Minnesota), Caitlin Kraemer (20, University of Minnesota Duluth), and Ève Gascon (23, University of Minnesota Duluth). The experienced goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbien, at 32, anchors the lineup as its senior player. This fresh energy brings both enthusiasm and unpredictability to Canada’s tournament run.
Absence of Marie-Philip Poulin
For the first time in over a decade, Canada is competing in an international tournament without legendary captain Marie-Philip Poulin. Widely regarded as one of women’s hockey’s greatest players, Poulin is recovering from knee surgery following a torn ACL. She has led Canada to three Olympic gold medals—scoring the game-winning goal in each—and is the team's all-time leading goal-scorer at the Winter Games. The absence of "Captain Clutch" puts extra responsibility on the team, with Renata Fast and Laura Stacey sharing the captaincy in Denmark.
New Leadership and Coaching Staff
After a narrow loss to the Americans in the last Olympic gold-medal game, Canada responded by shaking up its management and coaching team. Hockey Hall of Famer Danièle Sauvageau has been appointed general manager of the senior national team. She is supported by assistant GMs Mike Hirshfeld (Ottawa Charge) and Manon Rhéaume (PWHL Detroit). Kori Cheverie, who coached Sauvageau’s Victoire to a Walter Cup in the spring, steps in as Canada’s new head coach. Cheverie has been with the national program since before their 2022 Olympic gold-medal campaign, offering a mix of familiarity and fresh strategy.
Bouncing Back from Recent Defeats
Canada enters this championship looking to rebound from several high-profile losses. The United States has dominated recent years, winning 10 of the last 14 world championships and clinching the 2025 title in the Czech Republic, as well as Olympic gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games—both times defeating Canada in overtime. Team Canada also lost the most recent edition of the Canada/U.S. Rivalry Series last December. Despite these setbacks, history suggests a continued battle for gold: Canada and the U.S. have faced each other in 23 of the past 24 women's world finals, with the only exception in 2019. The current tournament runs through November 16, with both nations favored to meet once again in the final.
What’s Next for Team Canada?
As the 2026 world championship progresses, Team Canada’s blend of youth, new leadership, and determination to reclaim its spot atop the podium make them a team to watch closely. With the final set for November 16, fans will be watching to see whether Canada can overcome adversity and challenge the Americans for the title once more.
Source: cbc.ca.
