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The excitement surrounding the PWHL season is palpable, with the season set to commence on November 21. However, the competition for coveted spots on the Canadian Olympic hockey team is already underway. With two out of three training sessions completed, athletes are fully committed to securing their positions on the roster.
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S.
Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.
Evaluating talent and experience
General manager Gina Kingsbury expressed her satisfaction with the progress made during the Toronto camp.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the level of competition for spots,” she remarked in a recent interview with CBC Sports. “I believe we have assembled an exceptional group of players.”
Currently, 30 athletes are vying for the opportunity to wear the iconic Maple Leaf in Italy during the Winter Olympics, which will kick off in February.
This leaves Kingsbury, head coach Troy Ryan, and their team with the challenging task of selecting only 23 players for the final roster.
A significant portion of the squad comprises experienced veterans, with 17 players returning after clinching gold in Beijing in 2022.
Management faces the crucial task of balancing the seasoned expertise of these athletes with the rising talents poised to shape the future of women’s hockey, particularly as they look toward the 2030 Olympics and beyond.
Emerging talents shine
Among these promising newcomers is 19-year-old Caitlin Kraemer, who recently set the record for the most goals scored at the Canadian women’s under-18 level, surpassing the legendary Marie-Philip Poulin.
The five-foot-nine forward from the University of Minnesota-Duluth showcased her skills during camp, impressing coaches with her performance against seasoned professionals.
“Kraemer brings an excellent mix of technical prowess and physicality to the game,” Ryan noted at the start of the Toronto training camp. “Her reach and agility are significant assets, and she actively engages in physical play.”
Kraemer emphasized the invaluable lessons she is learning from the veterans, stating that the respect they show each other both on and off the ice significantly impacts team dynamics. “Every practice is competitive, and the veterans are always eager to learn and share knowledge,” she shared with CBC Sports. This collaborative spirit is crucial for her development, as she diligently records insights and techniques in her notebook to take back to college.
Defensive depth and strategic decisions
One of the most competitive areas lies on the defensive side, where Canada boasts a wealth of talented options. Returning players such as Renata Fast, Ella Shelton, Erin Ambrose, Jocelyne Larocque, Claire Thompson, and Micah Zandee-Hart bring championship experience from the 2022 Olympics.
However, the emergence of Sophie Jaques, who has delivered stellar performances in the PWHL, and 18-year-old Chloe Primerano, recognized for her high hockey IQ and skating ability, adds to the dilemma. Both players contributed to the national team at the recent world championships, where Canada secured a silver medal in the Czech Republic.
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.0
Future considerations and roster predictions
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.1
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.2
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.3
Following the conclusion of the latest training camp in Toronto last week, attention now shifts to the final block in Montreal later this month. This will be followed by four crucial matches against the United States as part of the Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series. These games are scheduled for November 6 and 8 in Cleveland and Buffalo, respectively, with the finale set for December 10 and 13 in Edmonton.4
