Troy Ryan and Kori Cheverie will guide Canada’s women’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, aiming for a repeat of their 2022 gold medal win.
Canadian Women’s Hockey Staff Set for Olympic Return
Two familiar faces from Nova Scotia will once again be behind Canada’s bench when the women’s hockey team begins its quest for gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Head coach Troy Ryan of Spryfield and assistant coach Kori Cheverie of New Glasgow have been reappointed, renewing a partnership that helped deliver Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games.
A Proven Winning Combination
Ryan, who also guided Canada at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, called the opportunity a “pinch-me moment,” noting that he once thought he’d never reach such a role. Cheverie, last season’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Coach of the Year with the Montreal Victoire, has worked alongside Ryan for six years. Together, they steered Canada to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the 2022 Olympic final.
Impact of the PWHL on Olympic Preparation
Both Ryan and Cheverie coach in the PWHL — Ryan with the Toronto Sceptres and Cheverie with Montreal. The league, launched in 2024, has brought together top players from around the globe, raising the pace and skill level of the women’s game. Ryan believes this higher standard of competition will carry into the Olympic tournament.
Training Ahead of Italy 2026
In the lead-up to the Games, Hockey Canada will hold training sessions in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, working around the PWHL season. Among the 30 players invited to the August camp is Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton, N.S., a veteran forward and Olympic gold medallist.
Grit and Determination from Small-Town Roots
Cheverie says coming from a smaller province fosters a gritty, underdog mentality. That mindset, she believes, has been key to Canada’s international success. For her, Italy will also mark a personal milestone — while she was on the coaching staff in 2022, COVID-19 restrictions kept her from travelling to Beijing.
Looking Toward a Final Olympic Chapter
Ryan has hinted this may be his last Olympic cycle, describing it as an opportunity to pass the torch. Still, the memories of leading Canada on the sport’s biggest stage remain vivid. “Moments like walking into the opening ceremony stay with you forever,” he said, reflecting on the coaches and mentors who shaped his path.
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