Team Canada begins Olympic preparation with 3 training blocks in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal to build the roster for Milan 2026.
Olympic Preparation Begins in Calgary
The journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics is officially underway for Canada’s women’s hockey team, with their first training block scheduled to begin August 26 in Calgary. Hockey Canada has invited 30 elite athletes to participate in a newly designed training model that spans three cities and several months, culminating in final team selection ahead of the Milan-Cortina Games in February 2026.
A New Approach to Team Selection
For the first time, Hockey Canada is structuring its Olympic training program around the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) calendar. Unlike previous years, centralization—a process where hopefuls relocated to Calgary for full-time training—has been replaced by short, strategic camps. This shift allows players to fulfill their PWHL commitments while competing for Olympic spots.
Multi-City Training Format
The new Olympic training program includes three blocks. It opens with a three-day orientation in Calgary followed by on-ice training until September 12. The second block begins in Toronto in late September, and the final block is scheduled for late October in Montreal. Each phase includes performance evaluations, team-building activities, and game strategy work.
The program concludes with four key exhibition matches against the U.S. in November and December as part of the Rivalry Series. These are likely to be the only games Team Canada plays together before heading to Italy.
Balancing Club and Country Demands
Hockey Canada’s revamped model aims to maintain athlete health and peak performance amid a demanding season. Players will navigate a packed calendar of PWHL games, national training camps, and Olympic preparation. General Manager Gina Kingsbury emphasized that preserving player wellness was a top priority, given the physical toll of the upcoming season.
“We’re balancing workload, game time, and recovery,” Kingsbury told CBC Sports. “It’s complex, but necessary to help athletes stay healthy for the Olympics.”
Building Team Chemistry in Less Time
Head Coach Troy Ryan acknowledges that reduced time together poses a challenge for developing team cohesion. Still, he believes the condensed format can be effective, especially with many returning Olympians and familiar coaching staff, including assistants Kori Cheverie, Caroline Ouellette, and Britni Smith.
“We’re focusing on relationships and identity,” Ryan said. “Our goal is to enter February as a unified team, even if our prep time is shorter.”
Spotlight on Veterans and Rising Stars
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, aiming for her fourth Olympic gold, leads the training camp roster. She’s joined by 16 returning players from the 2022 gold-winning team, including goaltenders Ann-Renée Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer. Emerging stars like NCAA standout Ève Gascon, defender Sophie Jaques, and PWHL rookie Kati Tabin are also vying for spots.
Selection battles are especially fierce on defense, where seasoned veterans are competing against young up-and-comers for limited roster spots.
PWHL’s Growing Influence on National Team
The PWHL is reshaping Canada’s national program. Strong league performances are giving previously overlooked players a chance to make the Olympic team. “You can’t ignore someone playing consistently great hockey at the pro level,” Ryan said, highlighting the cases of Jaques and Tabin.
Although 30 athletes are currently shortlisted, Hockey Canada remains open to additions based on PWHL performance before finalizing the Olympic lineup.
Final Countdown to Milan 2026
Canada opens its Olympic campaign on February 5 against Finland. With five Olympic golds to date—including the most recent in Beijing 2022—expectations remain high. As Hockey Canada adapts to a new training ecosystem, the team’s sights are firmly set on defending its title in Milan.
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