CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has invited 47of the top players from across the country to attend the BFL National Women’s Team Training Camp, presented by Sobeys, in Calgary Jan. 17-30. The camp will take place in a bubble environment closed to the public. Thirty-five players will participate (due to school commitments and other reasons), giving the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate players in preparation for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Halifax and Truro, N.S.

While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has altered plans for in-person training and ice sessions, the team has continued preparations through virtual gatherings and regular meetings with the coaching staff. Our players have also been able to take advantage of regional hub centres in Calgary, Montreal and Toronto for regular weekly ice sessions to aid in their preparations.

“We recognize it has been a challenge for our players, coaches and support staff, but we have made tremendous gains through our resiliency and strength,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of women’s national teams with Hockey Canada. “We stress to our athletes about controlling what they can, and that has been shown in their individual work, off-ice training, weekly ice sessions and staying committed through our virtual connections. We remain confident we are providing our athletes with an environment for success and are looking forward to coming together. I can’t say enough about the commitment of our team, as well as the support of our leadership at Hockey Canada and our board of directors since the cancellation of the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, as we work towards our training camp and beyond. We are also thankful to Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS) who worked with us to ensure we are able to hold our camp in a safe and secure bubble. Hockey Canada’s focus and priority remain the health and safety of all participants and the community at large, and we will continue to follow all safety protocols, COVID testing and safety measures as approved by AHS.

Coaching staff named for Canada’s National Women’s Team

Hockey Canada also announced the coaching staff tasked to lead Canada’s National Women’s Team through the 2020-21 season.  

Troy Ryan (Spryfield, N.S.), returns behind the bench for his second year as head coach. He will be joined by assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, N.S./Ryerson University, OUA), Doug Derraugh (Arnprior, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC) and Team Canada alumna Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, Ont./University of Toronto, OUA), as well as goaltending coach Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, Alta./University of Calgary, CW).

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Women’s Team during the 2020-21 season includes:

• management consultant Cassie Campbell-Pascall (Brampton, Ont.)
• video coach James Emery (Calgary, Alta.)
• therapists Christine Atkins (Fort Macleod, Alta.) and Jami Boyd (Minnedosa, Man.)
• massage therapist Andrea Purdy (Toronto, Ont.)
• Tina Atkinson (Dartmouth, N.S./Halifax, QMJHL)
• strength and conditioning coach Jeremy Steinbach (Binbrook, Ont./CSI Atlantic)
• mental performance consultant Kim Thompson (Orleans, Ont.)
• equipment managers Alana Goulden (Aurora, Ont./Ryerson University, OUA) and Serge LeBlanc (Grande-Digue, N.B./Université de Moncton, AUS)
• national team manager Tania Kenny (Toronto, Ont.)

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Women.