When the announcement was made that the Rivalry Series would wrap up on the East Coast this year, the brainstorming began for Ryan Francis.

“We saw that there was an opportunity to elevate voices of Indigenous hockey players and people and share their experiences in a very specific context and environment,” says Francis, the Mi’kmaw sport, recreation and physical activity corporate strategist for the Nova Scotian government.

That’s where the Indigenous Hockey Mini Summit was born. In partnership with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaw, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, the half-day summit had three segments featuring Indigenous players, including Canada’s National Women’s Team defender, Jocelyne Larocque (Métis) and a keynote speech from USA Hockey alumna, Sydney Daniels (Cree).

“For me, being a woman, being Indigenous, I think it’s important for young Indigenous girls to be able to see Indigenous women living their dream, having fun while they’re doing it and working hard,” Larocque says. “It’s important for me to share that message with all youth in the world.”

When Francis approached Larocque with the opportunity to get involved in the mini summit, she was drawn to participate right away. Not only did Larocque do a Q&A at the summit, hosted by TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde, but she also made time for a meet and greet with Hockey Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Girls Hockey Program after the Rivalry Series game in Halifax.

Kenzie Lalonde (left) interviews Jocelyne Larocque during the summit.

For Larocque, representation matters. Anytime she can give back to her community or share experiences to inspire others, she will.

“It’s very important for women playing professional hockey to have that exposure and for young girls to see us having a career playing hockey because I didn’t have that. A lot of my teammates didn’t have that,” Larocque says. “I definitely will always push towards a more inclusive, diverse and equal playing field, whether that’s hockey or anything in life.”

The summit also provided opportunities for informal conversations with speakers, like Larocque. Jordan Dawe-Ryan recalls one little girl sitting around a table eating breakfast alongside Larocque before the summit began and having a chance to ask the veteran blue-liner any questions she had.

“The girl’s happiness just shone right through the experience she had,” says Dawe-Ryan, the active living community coordinator at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. “With all the momentum that has been growing with woman’s hockey worldwide […] it’s amazing that they could sit down together, like two friends, and talk about who they are, what their goals are and their journey along the way.”

Erin Denny, who is in her fifth year playing at Saint Mary’s University, participated on the Mi’kmaw players’ panel at the summit. The 23-year-old feels she has grown into a role model and really takes pride in that role.

“As I transition out of my hockey career and more into that role, I think it’s really important to share my story and my thoughts on everything so there can be more success for Indigenous youth,” Denny says.

Sara-Lynne Knockwood (left), Erin Denny and Chad Denny during the Mi'kmaw players' panel.

Like Larocque, Denny says representation can open doors for youth, and having an Indigenous role model for Indigenous youth to look up to can make a huge difference in their lives.

“Especially as a minority group, seeing someone that is similar to you, lives a similar life and has the same struggles as you, I feel like it can make a world of a difference for youth,” Denny says. “Being in this position, I think it’s really important that I continue to share my experiences and be an outlet for youth if they have questions or want advice.”

There were additional events connected to the mini summit, such as a pizza dinner and poster-making night at the Friendship Centre before the Rivalry Series game. The Friendship Centre also provided smudging kits as the Player of the Game awards in Halifax. Despite some winter weather causing power outages in the city the morning of the summit, the event was a big success.

“It’s important to create that space, and when you do create that space and have it in an environment that people feel safe and comfortable, there can be really powerful discussions and perspectives that get brought forward that will help move conversations amongst decision-makers,” Francis says.

With such a positive response from participants, organizers are already brainstorming for another event in the future—this time expanding from a mini summit to a full, multi-day summit.

“Another one will be on the way and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and better the next time,” Dawe-Ryan says. “[We want to] provide more opportunities, provide more spaces for us to share our culture and have these safe spaces where we can interact, engage and really be our true, vulnerable selves in these spaces.”

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 8)

It all comes down to Game 5. Canada’s National Women's Team faces its cross-border rivals from the United States in a Saturday night showdown to decide the Rivalry Series at Credit Union Place.

Last Meeting & Last Game

Canada dropped a 2-1 shootout decision on Thursday in Halifax, evening up the series at two wins apiece. Hilary Knight scored midway through the first period to give the Americans the lead, but it was the home-province hero, Blayre Turnbull, scoring with 2:20 remaining to send the game to overtime before the U.S. converted on three of four shootout attempts.

What to Watch

It’s been a warm East Coast welcome for Turnbull. The 31-year-old native of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, has two goals and an assist in this year’s Rivalry Series to go along with five goals and two helpers in 15 games as captain of the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Of course, in a winner-take-all scenario, we’d be remiss if we did not talk about Captain Canada, Marie-Philip Poulin. The Montreal Victoire captain has a history of scoring in clutch scenarios, whether it was the game-winner in last year’s Rivalry Series finale or gold medal games at four Olympics. She leads the PWHL with 10 goals in 14 games.

Gwyneth Philips was terrific in the American goal in Halifax, finishing with 31 saves in regulation and overtime before turning away all three Canadian shooters in the shootout to record her first international win. And, of course, Knight continues to make an impact in international games, with her goal in Halifax giving her three in as many Rivalry Series games. The 35-year-old, who leads the Boston Fleet with 11 points (5-6—11) in 13 PWHL games this season, has scored 159 goals in 235 Team USA games over her 19-year international career.

Milestone Watch

Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark. Laura Stacey and Jamie Lee Rattray are both five points from 50 in their careers.

A Look Back

Winner-take-all games have been a common occurrence in the Rivalry Series lately. This is the third year in a row the series will be decided in the final game. Last year, Canada once again erased a 3-0 series deficit and completed the reverse sweep with a 6-1 win in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Natalie Spooner and Emma Maltais scored twice as Canada capitalized on special teams with two power-play goals and a shorthanded marker.

Saturday also marks the first time Canada’s National Women’s Team will play the United States on Prince Edward Island.

All-time record: Canada leads 107-81-1 (25-21 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 526
United States goals: 463

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 6)

Hello, Halifax! Canada’s National Women's Team is back in action against its cross-border rivals, kicking off the Canadian leg of the Rivalry Series against the United States on Thursday night at Scotiabank Centre.

Last Meeting & Last Game

Canada took a 2-1 lead in the Rivalry Series with a 4-1 win in Boise, Idaho, back in November. Jocelyne Larocque and Sarah Nurse gave Canada an early lead in the first period, with Kristin O’Neill making it a 3-0 game in the middle frame. The Americans got one back on the power play in the third, but Emily Clark provided the final margin of victory with less than four minutes left.

What to Watch

With the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season well underway, three different members of Canada’s National Women’s Team lead the league in points, goals and assists. Sarah Fillier (New York Sirens) leads the PWHL in scoring with 15 points (5-10—15) after a fantastic start to her professional career. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal Victoire) leads with 10 goals in 14 games (10-2—12), while Claire Thompson (Minnesota Frost) leads with 10 assists in 15 games (4-10—14). Between the pipes, Ann-Renée Desbiens tops all qualified goaltenders in wins (8), goals-against average (1.77) and save percentage (.935).

Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise sit right behind Fillier in PWHL scoring. Coyne Schofield, the Americans’ veteran captain, has earned 14 points (6-8—14) in 15 games, while Heise, the reigning Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, has recorded 14 points (4-10—14) in 14 games. The United States also made a change to its roster on Tuesday; Alex Carpenter, Gabby Rosenthal, Hayley Scamurra and Grace Zumwinkle are no longer able to participate, and were replaced by Izzy Daniel, Clair DeGeorge, Maureen Murphy and Mannon McMahon.

Milestone Watch

Thursday’s game marks international game No. 100 for Nurse and Laura Stacey. Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark. Stacey and Jamie Lee Rattray are both sitting five points away from 50 in their careers.

With her assist on Canada’s first goal in Game 3, Poulin passed Hockey Hall of Fame forward Danielle Goyette for fourth place in all-time National Women’s Team scoring (220 points).

A Look Back

This is the third time Halifax has hosted the Canada-United States rivalry, and Thursday marks the first time since 2004 that the team will play in Nova Scotia after the COVID-19 pandemic erased the opportunity for the city to host the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Canada captured its eighth consecutive Women’s Worlds gold with a 2-0 win over the Americans in Halifax on April 6, 2004. After a scoreless first, Hayley Wickenheiser opened the scoring four minutes into the second period before Delaney Collins doubled the advantage early in the third. Kim St-Pierre was terrific in the Canadian goal (as the Hall of Famer typically was), posting a 26-save shutout.

All-time record: Canada leads 107-80-1 (25-20 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 525
United States goals: 462

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players who have been named to Canada’s National Women’s Team for the Canadian leg of the 2024-25 Rivalry Series, Feb. 6 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and concluding Feb. 8 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Three goaltenders, eight defence and 14 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL) and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting. Assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/Concordia University, RSEQ) and Britni Smith (Port Perry, ON/Syracuse University, CHA), along with goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL), also provided input.

“We are excited about the group of players we have assembled for these final two games against the Americans, which gives us another chance to look at the depth of our program while we look ahead to the IIHF Women’s World Championship in April,” said Kingsbury. “We are thrilled to immerse ourselves within two passionate hockey communities, meet with fans and showcase women’s hockey to everyone in Halifax and Summerside.”

The roster features 21 players who suited up for the first three games in the United States in November (Ambrose, Bell, Clark, Desbiens, Fast, Fillier, Gosling, Jenner, Larocque, Maltais, Maschmeyer, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Rattray, Serdachny, Shelton, Stacey, Thompson, Turnbull, Watts).

Canada leads the United States 2-1 in this year’s Rivalry Series, posting back-to-back victories (5-4 and 4-1 wins) after dropping the opening game during the U.S. leg. Since the start of the Rivalry Series during the 2018-19 season, Canada holds a 17-14 advantage over the Americans.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast both games; please check local listings for details. Media wishing to attend the games in Halifax and Summerside must fill out an online accreditation form.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

VANTAA, Finland – Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team has won the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, shutting out the United States 3-0 on Sunday at Tikkurila Arena.

It’s the eighth gold for Canada at U18 Women’s Worlds (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025).

After a scoreless first period, Caileigh Tiller (St. Catharines, ON/Burlington, OWHA U22 Elite) broke the deadlock with a power-play goal just past the eight-minute mark of the second. Dorothy Copetti (Toronto, ON/Durham West, OWHA U22 Elite) added an insurance marker midway through the third period before Stryker Zablocki (Prince Albert, SK/Bishop Kearney Selects, USHS) finished the scoring into an empty net with less than two minutes to go.

Sydney Sawyer (Burketon, ON/Etobicoke, OWHA U22 Elite) added a pair of assists, while Danica Maynard (Osoyoos, BC/RHA Kelowna, CSSHL) and Alex Therien (Ottawa, ON/Nepean, OWHA U22 Elite) chipped in with a helper apiece. The Canadians outshot the Americans 30-14.

“This has been so amazing; we have such an amazing staff and have shared in all of this. I am so happy and so proud of everybody on our team,” said head coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA). “We spoke about getting one percent better every day and the team really showed that. They wanted to get better every day and be better for each other. It was a full team effort all tournament long.”

Marilou Grenier (Québec, QC/Limoilou, RSEQ) made 14 saves for her fourth win in as many starts. She finished the tournament with a 1.00 goals-against average and .935 save percentage, along with two shutouts.

Following the gold medal game, Canadian captain Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC/University of Minnesota, WCHA) was named Best Defender for the second year in a row. She also joined Zablocki – who led the tournament in goals (8) and points (12) – on the media all-star team.

Primerano finished with 26 points (12-14—26) across two appearances at U18 Women’s Worlds, tying Marie-Philip Poulin for the most by a Canadian at the tournament. In Saturday’s semifinal win over Czechia, she surpassed Caitlin Kraemer as the all-time leading scorer with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team; Primerano finished her U18 career with 37 points (18-19—37) in 21 games.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok and by using #U18WomensWorlds.

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (JAN. 12)

Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team is one win away from an eighth world title, facing off against the United States in the gold medal game Sunday at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada gained a measure of revenge in its semifinal, doubling up Czechia 4-2 one year after the Czechs shocked Canada by the same score in the semis. Stryker Zablocki continued her red-hot run, scoring once and adding an assist, as did Caileigh Tiller. Marilou Grenier made 19 saves, while Chloe Primerano chipped in with two assists, becoming the all-time leading scorer in National Women’s Under-18 Team history.

The Americans got a scare from Sweden in their Saturday semifinal, holding on for a 2-1 win to book their place in the final. The defending world champions got two second-period goals from captain Anabella Fanale and 17 saves from Morgan Stickney to advance to their 16th gold medal game.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Americans clashed in a three-game summer series in Thorold, Ontario, in August, with Canada taking two of three. In the series finale, Stryker Zablocki forced overtime by scoring with just 58 seconds left in the third period, but a seven-round shootout went the way of the U.S. in a 4-3 final.

The last meeting between the rivals at U18 Women’s Worlds came in preliminary-round play at the 2023 tournament in Ostersund, Sweden. Caitlin Kraemer scored twice, Emma Pais had a goal and a helper and the Canadians held the U.S. to only 11 shots on goal in a 3-1 victory that completed a perfect prelims for Canada.

What to Watch

While this space is typically reserved for individual efforts, we would be remiss if we let the tournament end without highlighting the top-to-bottom effort that has allowed Canada to return to the gold medal game. Through three preliminary-round wins and a pair of playoff victories, the Canadians have scored the most goals (37), taken the most shots (250) and allowed the fewest shots (63), while icing the tournament’s best power play (45%) and best penalty kill (94.7%). All 20 skaters have recorded at least one point, with three of the tournament’s top four scorers wearing the Maple Leaf – Zablocki (7-4—11), Primerano (4-6—10) and Maxine Cimoroni (4-6—10). And the goaltenders haven’t been too bad, either – Grenier has a .917 save percentage in her three starts, while Amelia Wilkinson has allowed just one goal across her 120 minutes for a 0.50 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.

The Americans have clamped down defensively and have yet to allow a goal at five-on-five in the tournament, giving up just two in total (both on the power play) across five games. A big reason they’re not allowing many goals? They’re not allowing many shots. The U.S. has given up just 64, with the 18 taken by Sweden the highest single-game total. Morgan Stickney has played every second between the pipes, fashioning a miniscule 0.40 goals-against average and .969 save percentage with three shutouts, while Fanale (5-4—9) and Mary Derrenbacher (2-6—8) have done the heavy lifting up front. And then there’s the experience factor; the Americans have eight players – Derrenbacher, Fanale, Caroline Averill, Margaret Averill, Haley Box, Natalia Dilbone, Megan Healy and Macy Rasmussen – back from the team that beat Czechia 5-1 to win gold a year ago in Zug.

A Look Back

When you include summer series, Canada and the U.S. have met 68 times since the creation of the U18 program in 2007. The Canadians have a 38-30 edge overall, while the Americans have won 13 of 22 at U18 Women’s Worlds.

But if history tells us anything, expect a close game; of the 22 meetings at the world championship, 10 have needed overtime and three others have been one-goal finishes in regulation time. Canada claimed its first-ever gold medal in extra time; current Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell provided the heroics in 2010, scoring the winner to put the Canadians atop the podium in Chicago.

All-time record: United States leads 13-9 (6-4 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 48
United States goals: 62

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. CZECHIA (JAN. 11)

After a historic quarterfinal victory, Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team faces a familiar foe in the semifinals when it takes on Czechia on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Last Game

Canada scored early and very often on Thursday, netting seven goals in each of the first two periods en route to a 17-0 win over Japan to equal its single-game scoring record. In the first 16 editions of the tournament, only six times had a Canadian skater recorded five points in a game. Four players did it against the Japanese – Stryker Zablocki (3-2—5), Maxine Cimoroni (3-2—5), Chloe Primerano (2-3—5) and Caileigh Tiller (2-3—5). Canada went 4-for-4 on the power play, tying the tournament record for PPGs in a game, and it finished with a massive 76-4 advantage in shots on goal.

The Czechs secured their place in the final four with a comfortable shutout win of their own, blanking Finland 6-0 on Thursday. Adela Fromova, Viktorie Jilkova, Dana Brezinova and Magdalena Felcmanova recorded a goal and an assist apiece for Czechia, while Daniela Novakova turned away all 18 shots directed her way to earn the clean sheet.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Czechs clashed in the preliminary-round finale on Tuesday, with the Canadians wrapping up first place on Group B with a 5-0 win. Zablocki led the offence with two goals, Sydney Sawyer had a goal and an assist, and Kate Viel chipped in with two helpers. Marilou Grenier posted the shutout with a 20-save effort, half of those coming in the third period.

What to Watch

With Primerano on the verge of more history, let’s put the focus once again on the Canadian captain. The North Vancouver, B.C., product – who already became the highest-scoring defender in U18 Women’s Worlds history earlier in the tournament – has moved within striking distance of a couple more significant milestones. With her five points against the Japanese (four of those, by the way came in the first period, just the fifth four-point period in tournament history), Primerano needs just one point to become the leading scorer in National Women’s Under-18 Team history (she’s even with Caitlin Kraemer) and three to surpass the iconic Marie-Philip Poulin as the highest-scoring Canadian in tournament history. She also has an outside shot at passing Erin Ambrose for most assists in Team Canada history (she needs five). All in all, just another ho-hum international appearance for Primerano.

The Czechs have their sights set on more history. One year ago, in the semifinals, the Czechs stunned a Canadian team that had been downright dominant; after outscoring its opponents 36-1 in four games, Canada dropped a 4-2 decision to Czechia in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Twelve months later, 11 players who were part of that win are back for the Czechs, although that list doesn’t include the three players who scored goals in that game or standout goaltender Aneta Senkova (who made 45 saves). Czechia has reached the final four with an offence-by-committee approach; no skater has more than four points, and nine have at least three. Novakova has been a workhorse, playing every second for the Czechs; she has fashioned a 2.24 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

A Look Back

This is meeting No. 10 between the Canadians and Czechs, with Canada taking eight of the first nine (the only blemish was the semifinal a year ago in Zug) and outscoring Czechia 65-9.

A pair of future Olympic gold medallists made their marks in the first matchup at the inaugural U18 Women’s Worlds in 2008; Marie-Philip Poulin and Natalie Spooner recorded a hat trick apiece in an 11-2 Canadian win in Calgary. Poulin finished with five points in that win, still one of just six such performances by a Canadian in tournament history.

All-time record: Canada leads 8-1
Canada goals: 65
Czechia goals: 9

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. JAPAN (JAN. 9)

Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team is on to the playoffs at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, taking on Japan in quarterfinal action Thursday.

Last Game

Canada closed out a perfect preliminary round with a 5-0 win over Czechia on Tuesday. Stryker Zablocki led the way with two goals, Sydney Sawyer had a goal and a helper and Marilou Grenier turned aside 20 shots for the shutout. Chloe Primerano made more history in the victory; with her assist on Zablocki’s second goal, the Canadian captain became the highest-scoring defender in U18 Women’s Worlds history (19 points).

Japan dropped a heart-breaker in its prelim finale, falling 5-4 to Sweden on Tuesday. Koko Ruike and Nanaho Yamaguchi finished with a goal and an assist apiece for the Japanese, who led 3-1 early in the second period and 4-3 with eight minutes to go but couldn’t find the win column.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Japanese have met just once before at U18 Women’s Worlds, in the opener of the 2014 tournament in Budapest. In that one, Victoria Bach had two goals and an assist, Sarah Potomak added a goal and two helpers, and Lauren Wildfang chipped in with three assists as Canada outshot Japan 65-22 in a 7-1 win.

What to Watch

Zablocki had three goals in as many prelim games, picking up right where she left off a year ago in Zug, when she posted seven points (2-5—7) in six games as part of Canada’s bronze medal-winning contingent. In between, she had a 2024 to remember. The Prince Albert native earned MVP honours at the Esso Cup, co-leading the tournament with 11 points (8-3—11) in seven games while leading the Regina Rebels to their first national title, and then she was named Top Forward at the U18 Women’s National Championship, recording five points (3-2—5) in six games while helping Saskatchewan to a spot in the bronze medal game.

Youth is the name of the game for the Japanese, who ice the youngest roster in the tournament in Vantaa. Only two players – goaltender Haruka Kuromaru and forward Hina Fukuyama – are in their final year of U18 eligibility, meaning a whopping 21 can return for the 2026 tournament. (Canada, by comparison, has 15 players finishing their eligibility this year.) Offence was hard to find in the prelims for the Asian side; they scored only six goals in three games, with four of them coming against the Swedes (and three of those in a span of just over six minutes late in the first period and early in the second). Nana Akimoto – one of Japan’s 11 15-year-olds – was the lone skater to record more than one goal (she had two).

A Look Back

As mentioned above, just the one previous meeting, 11 years ago in Hungary.

All-time record: Canada leads 1-0
Canada goals: 7
Japan goals: 1

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. CZECHIA (JAN. 7)

Canada’s National Women's Under-18 Team closes out the preliminary round Tuesday at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, facing off against Czechia with first place in Group B on the line.

Last Game

Canada made it two wins in as many days Sunday, beating Switzerland 5-1. Dorothy Copetti led the charge with a pair of goals as the Canadians took control with a four-goal second period. Sara Manness put together her second-straight two-point effort – scoring once and adding an assist – and Maxine Cimoroni chipped in with two helpers. Chloe Primerano scored her second goal of the tournament, pulling even with Jincy Dunne and Brigette Lacquette as the highest-scoring defender in U18 Women’s Worlds history.

The Czechs stayed unbeaten by doubling up Slovakia 6-3 on Sunday. Linda Vocetkova scored twice in the first period – two of Czechia’s 23 shots in the opening frame – while Barbora Proskova added a goal and two assists to help the Czechs erase a 3-2 second-period deficit.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Czechs last clashed a year ago in the semifinals in Zug, with Czechia securing a stunning 4-2 victory – its first over Canada at any level of international women’s hockey. Primerano and Stryker Zablocki scored to erase a two-goal lead early in the third period, but the Canadians – who came into the game unbeaten and having outscored opponents 35-1 – missed out on the gold medal game for the first time ever.

What to Watch

Sara Manness has been a force on the top line for Canada, scoring a goal and setting up three others through two games to sit second in tournament scoring alongside linemate Maxine Cimoroni. The MVP of the 2023 National Women’s Under-18 Championship, Manness has had an international coming-out party in Vantaa; she had just six points in 14 games wearing the Maple Leaf prior to arriving in Finland, but earned an assist in the pre-tournament win over the host country , picked up two helpers in the tournament-opening victory over Slovakia and had a goal and an assist against the Swiss. She also gets to do it alongside twin sister Kate; the sisters are the fifth set of first siblings to represent Canada at the U18 Women’s Worlds, but the first to do it together.

For the Czechs, Julia Jebouskova has done the heavy lifting up front. The 16-year-old, who was held off the scoresheet across six games at last year’s U18 Women’s Worlds, netted the overtime winner in the tournament opener against Switzerland before chipping in a goal and an assist to help Czechia pull away from Slovakia on Sunday. Jebouskova has been a scoring machine this season with the U19 program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota, potting 22 goals (and adding 12 assists) in 25 games.

A Look Back

This is meeting No. 9 between the Canadians and Czechs, with Canada taking seven of the first eight and outscoring Czechia 60-9.

A pair of future Olympic gold medallists made their marks in the first matchup at the inaugural U18 Women’s Worlds in 2008; Marie-Philip Poulin and Natalie Spooner recorded a hat trick apiece in an 11-2 Canadian win in Calgary. Poulin finished with five points in that win, still one of just six such performances by a Canadian in tournament history.

All-time record: Canada leads 7-1
Canada goals: 60
Czechia goals: 9

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship officially wrapped up on Sunday after 11 days of competition in the nation’s capital.

Fans at home watching on TSN see the action on the ice, but the action behind the scenes is crucial to help welcome the world to what is one of the most-watched tournaments on the international hockey calendar.

What exactly goes into – and comes out of – hosting the World Juniors? Let’s look at the numbers:

7: Communities in the Ottawa area that hosted pre-tournament games – Arnprior, Belleville, Brockville, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, Kingston and Ottawa.

10: Indigenous artists whose work was on display for Player of the Game awards, volunteer belt bags and a special commemorative jersey.

23: Officials assigned to work the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, representing nine countries – Finland (4), United States (4), Canada (3), Sweden (3), Czechia (2), Denmark (2), Latvia (2), Slovakia (2) and Switzerland (1).

26: People from 14 different countries who took the Oath of Citizenship to become Canadian citizens ahead of Canada’s pre-tournament game against Czechia.

27: Partners who supported Hockey Canada and the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

28: Shooters in the bronze medal game shootout between Czechia and Sweden, the longest in International Ice Hockey Federation history. Goaltenders Michael Hrabal and Marcus Gidlof combined for 23 saves before Eduard Sale scored the winner for the Czechs in the 14th round.

76: Unique puck stacks, created by team services volunteers, ahead of practices.

116: Minor hockey players who participated in the event as flag bearers and Esso Player of the Game presenters in pre- and post-game ceremonies.

121: Accredited media members from 11 different countries, plus 36 accredited photographers.

193: Goals scored in the tournament. The highest single-game total was 16, when Czechia topped Kazakhstan 14-2, while the lowest total was three, done three times (Switzerland vs. Slovakia – 2-1; Canada vs. Germany – 3-0; and Finland vs. Latvia – 3-0).

322: Volunteers who gave their time during the tournament through the TELUS volunteer program.

400: Water jugs consumed throughout the tournament by teams, volunteers and staff.

1,094: Social media posts sent across all Hockey Canada platforms (X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) from Dec. 19 (when pre-tournament play started) through Jan. 5. The posts earned 45,217,677 impressions and 2,000,899 engagements.

1,964: Minutes of hockey played during the tournament. Seven games went beyond 60 minutes, including the Finland-Sweden semifinal and both medal games. It’s the third time in the last four years that the gold medal game has required overtime.

4,000+: Single-game tickets donated to local community and Indigenous groups, including 150 kids each from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and Mohawks of Akwesasne who attended a game. As well, 150 newcomers experienced their first hockey game during the tournament.

6,177: Attendance for the relegation-round game between Germany and Kazakhstan in Ottawa on Jan. 2, making it one of the highest-attended relegation games in World Juniors history.

15,000: Meals saved through the Tablée des Chefs food recovery program, as a part of the event’s sustainability initiatives. This effort by the two main venues and two hotels prevented more than 6,842 pounds (three tons) of food from going to waste.

16,700+: Event packages sold between both venues. In total, 13,200 event packages were sold for Canadian Tire Centre and 3,532 packages were sold for TD Place.

80,000+: Attendance for Fan Fest, which was hosted at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. The free event featured close to 50 different community activations, including live watch parties for World Juniors games, free skates, fireworks on New Year’s Eve, a Stanley Cup visit and a meet and greet with the PWHL’s Ottawa Charge. It also included live performances from 10 live bands and DJs.

296,895: Official attendance for all 29 games at the Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place, the eighth-highest total in World Juniors history. The number grows to more than 325,000 when Canada’s three pre-tournament games in Ottawa are included.

3,208,095: Amount, in dollars, generated from Hockey Canada 50/50 ticket sales across all 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories.