Get ready for an exciting showdown: Canada is gearing up to face Switzerland in women’s hockey at the Olympics! Hockey Canada has announced its National Teams Orientation Camp, which will take place from August 26 to 28 in Calgary, inviting a total of 92 players from the men’s, women’s, and para hockey teams to join this pivotal event as part of their preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy.
This Orientation Camp, spanning three days, is designed to bring together athletes and coaching staff from all three divisions. Participants will engage in various activities, including insightful presentations, team-building exercises, meetings, and media interactions—all aimed at setting the groundwork for the competitive season ahead.
"We are thrilled to introduce the 92 athletes who are taking the first steps towards Italy, and we are eager to unite our men’s, women’s, and para hockey teams for these three days. This is just the beginning of our ambitious goal to secure triple gold medals come February," expressed Scott Salmond from Creston, BC, who serves as Hockey Canada’s senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. He added that while the upcoming months will involve rigorous assessments and challenging roster decisions, they are excited to commence the season in Calgary, fostering unity among athletes and staff as they aim for success in February.
Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada from Thunder Bay, ON, emphasized the significance of this season not only for Hockey Canada but for the sport itself. "We are enthusiastic about continuing our preparations by welcoming these 92 talented athletes to Calgary this summer. It’s a privilege to rally Canadians around our National Winter Sport, and we have no doubt that our national team members will proudly represent Canada both on and off the ice while pursuing excellence."
On the men's side, general manager Doug Armstrong from Sarnia, ON/St. Louis (NHL) has selected 42 NHL players for this camp, which includes three goaltenders, 13 defensemen, and 26 forwards. The selection process involved input from assistant general managers Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay, NHL), Jim Nill (Dallas, NHL), and Don Sweeney (Boston, NHL), director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Pittsburgh, NHL), head coach Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay, NHL), and player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK), along with Salmond.
Notably, the roster features three Olympic gold medalists (Crosby, Doughty, Tavares), 12 players who have achieved gold at the IIHF World Championship, and 13 who have claimed gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Additionally, it includes an impressive lineup of 19 Stanley Cup winners and all 24 members of Canada’s championship team from the Four Nations Face-Off.
For the women’s team, 30 players—comprising four goaltenders, 10 defensemen, and 16 forwards—have been named to the National Women’s Team for the 2025-26 season. These athletes will participate in various training blocks and events throughout the year. General manager Gina Kingsbury from Rouyn-Noranda, QC, alongside head coach Troy Ryan from Spryfield, NS, and senior manager of player development Cherie Piper from Scarborough, ON, played a key role in the selection process, supported by assistant coaches Kori Cheverie, Caroline Ouellette, and Britni Smith, plus goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood.
Among the roster are 17 players who contributed to Canada’s fifth Olympic gold medal victory at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. Furthermore, this group includes 24 athletes who earned silver at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship.
In the realm of para hockey, 20 players—featuring three goaltenders, six defensemen, and 11 forwards—have been chosen to join Canada’s National Para Hockey Team for camps and events during the 2025-26 season. Their selection reflects the careful evaluation by the coaching staff, aided by insights from Benoit Roy, the director of hockey operations, and Adam Janssen, the manager of hockey operations.
This roster proudly includes nine silver medalists from the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, as well as 16 players who helped Canada secure gold at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship hosted in Calgary.
For further details regarding Hockey Canada and its initiatives, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or stay connected through their social media platforms on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Will you be cheering for Canada as they chase Olympic glory? What are your thoughts on the selected players? Share your opinions below!
