Looking To Defend Gold

We're ten days out from the first games of the IIHF 2022 Women's World Hockey Championship taking place in Herning, Denmark from August 25 until September 4. There were a number of questions that needed to be answered before the defending gold medalists from Canada took the ice as key players and some up-and-coming talent got together to determine who would skate for Canada. There will always be arguments and discussions over who should be on any Canadian team, but the Canadian women have been extremely successful over the last twelve months when it comes to winning championships at a number of levels, so who will skate for Canada in ten days? Will we see a number of new names among those who are legends? Are there any surprises? Let's find out!

Before we even dive into the roster, it should be noted that Natalie Spooner will not be part of the team heading to Denmark. For those who haven't heard, Spooner and her partner are expecting their first child as Natalie's pregnant, so that will keep her off the team as she prepares for motherhood!

That's an exciting piece of news for Spooner, but it means that there's a significant spot open on the Canadian roster considering how important Spooner's presence is in the lineup. Congratulations to Natalie, though, and here's to a healthy pregnancy followed by the birth of a healthy baby!

The roster was released today. There are some notable names missing, a few names that have been on the Canadian roster before, and a couple of new names that should excite fans as Canada continues to work new names into the lineup as opportunities open.

Before anyone goes jumping off bridges when they see a favourite player is missing, let's remember that it's August, this championship is normally never played in this month, and we're asking these women to don their country's colours once again. We can't forget the quiet, nagging injuries that some may have or the other work and school commitments some have to fulfill, so let's all take a deep breath before we dig into the roster posted above, ok? Alrighty then.

You usual cast of veterans are back for more action as Poulin, Jenner, Nurse, Turnbull, Stacey, Rattray, and Clark will make up the bulk of the top-three lines for the Canadians. There's no doubt that a Rebecca Johnston or a Jill Saulnier may have helped, but this group has enough leadership, skill, and talent that it will compete with the world's best. Player for player, Canada will be as good as any other nation with this core group of players.

The newer faces and the role players will certainly complement this group of veteran players as there's a mix of recently-seen players and new faces in the group of forward. Victoria Bach returns and will be relied upon for speed and scoring. Jessie Eldridge should have fans excited as she gets a promotion after her solid play at the Rivalry Series. Emma Maltais has been in Canada's colours before, but there's a chance for her to play a bigger role this year. Kristin O'Neill will be a key cog as she'll also be given a larger role on the team. Sarah Potomak gets to show off her skills and speed on the World Championship stage as well.

I have already seen some lamenting of PHF players not making this roster, but we shouldn't be making this a PWHPA-PHF rivalry within the dressing room. Troy Ryan's run of success as the head coach can't be denied as he builds his team for the World Championship, and he knows what he's looking for in players.

While the inclusion of Mikyla Grant-Mentis may make sense to some, Ryan's decisions are hard to question based on his track record of producing championship teams. I'll side with the coach on these decisions, but I would hope to see Grant-Mentis back at future Team Canada camps in order for her to continue to get better.

The defence corps looks strong again with the likes of Ambrose, Bell, Fast, and Larocque occupying four spots for Ryan. Shelton has been a reliable defender for Team Canada as well, but the returning Meaghan Mikkelson and Micah Zandee-Hart will make for a formidable six-player group on the ice in any arrangement. The only notable absence I can see is Claire Thompson, but this group won't struggle on the big ice in Denmark by any means.

Goaltending will be sound once again as the trio of Desbiens, Maschmeyer, and Campbell will guard the twine for Canada. We saw these three work together in winning an Olympic gold medal earlier this year, so Troy Ryan is keeping them together as a unit. With all three being under the age of 30, these three names may be fixtures on Canadian national team rosters for years to come!

Again, we can debate Player A vs Player B until the cows come home using every statistic and metric we want, but the only roster that matters is the one posted above as chosen by Troy Ryan and his coaching staff. That roster is the one going to Denmark to defend the gold medal won at the 2021 Women's World Championship, and they look solid on paper as it currently stands. There will be some lines that have to be sorted out and some defensive pairings that need to be found, but this Canada team looks ready and willing to defend the top of the mountain upon which they sit.

The rest of the world has painted a target on the Canadian women, but this group of women has the talent, the speed, the skill, the determination, the chemistry, and the experience to make it a back-to-back gold medal memory in Denmark.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!