Hockey Canada has officially announced the women's national team roster tasked with defending Olympic gold at the upcoming Winter Games in Milan. The roster, revealed on January 9, 2026, features a strong contingent from the professional Montreal Victoire, including iconic captain Marie-Philip Poulin and star goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.
Montreal Victoire Forms the Core
The selection committee has placed significant trust in the championship pedigree of the Montreal Victoire, selecting a half-dozen of its players. This core group is expected to provide leadership and big-game experience as Canada aims for back-to-back Olympic titles. Alongside the legendary Poulin and the stalwart Desbiens, the Victoire's contribution underscores the club's dominance in Canadian women's professional hockey and its role as a primary feeder system for the national team.
The announcement comes after a period of intense evaluation, including performances in the Rivalry Series against the United States. A memorable moment from that series, captured in a photo from February 6, 2025, in Halifax, shows Poulin and teammate Laura Stacey celebrating a crucial game-tying goal by Blayre Turnbull—a snapshot of the chemistry and resilience this team embodies.
The Road to Milan 2026
With the roster now set, the team's focus shifts entirely to preparation for the Olympic tournament in Milan. The pressure is immense, as the squad will carry the weight of expectation from a nation that reveres hockey excellence. The blend of seasoned Olympic champions from the 2022 gold-medal run and new, hungry talent is designed to create a balanced and formidable unit.
Head coach Troy Ryan and his staff face the complex challenge of integrating players from various professional and collegiate backgrounds into a cohesive system. The presence of multiple players from a single club team, like the Victoire, is seen as a strategic advantage for building chemistry quickly.
Defending the Crown
The primary mission for this group is clear: defend Canada's Olympic gold medal. The journey will pit them against the world's best, with the United States, Finland, and other rising powers standing as the main obstacles. The selection of this particular 23-player roster reflects a specific strategy aimed at countering the speed, skill, and physicality expected in international play.
For veterans like Marie-Philip Poulin, this may represent a final Olympic chapter, adding an emotional layer to the campaign. For newer selections, it is the culmination of a lifelong dream. The entire team now enters a critical phase of training camps, exhibition games, and final tune-ups before the Olympic spotlight shines on them in Italy.
Hockey fans across Canada will be watching closely, hoping this mix of Montreal Victoire stars and the nation's best can once again climb to the top of the Olympic podium.
