Becoming agents of change
Hockey Canada introduced mandatory diversity and inclusion training for its athletes and staff, with an eye towards its commitment to making a difference in Canada’s game
More than a week later, there’s one singular sentence that sticks with Sarah Nurse.
“Diversity is who’s on the team, but inclusion is who gets to play.”
The National Women’s Team forward was one of close to 500 athletes and staff involved with Canada’s national teams – men’s, women’s and para hockey – who took part in mandatory diversity and inclusion training last week.
Hockey Canada remains committed to continuing to listen and learn, and being open to change in an effort to take action around diversity. The seminars are an early step in that commitment.
Discussions on diversity and inclusion had actually been going on for more than a year, championed by Denise Pattyn, Hockey Canada’s director of human resources. As the world changed in the last few months, the conversations picked up.
“We had an opportunity in early June to just continue to have that discussion and talk about what the next steps in her plan were,” says Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams with Hockey Canada. “And then it came to light that with some other things that were happening in our game and around our game and in the world, that we were really short-sighted in not providing an opportunity and taking advantage, quite honestly, of the time that we have right now with our athletes virtually to have an impact.”
Salmond and Pattyn did their research and found Tina Varughese, who has worked extensively with the Province of Alberta’s immigration office and is the president of t Works Inc., which that specializes in cross-cultural communication and work-life balance seminars, and provides customized cultural diversity training.
“She understands the game and she had a really great way of communicating her message to the athletes,” Salmond says.
Varughese focused her seminars on the idea of unconscious bias – underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with others.
“I think the majority of us, if not everyone, feels like they don't have bias towards people. They don't discriminate,” Salmond says. “But when you start to understand what an unconscious bias is and the language that you maybe use in the conversations that you have with other people, you realize that in some ways, without even meaning it, maybe you've created that bias or maybe you have that bias.”
For her part, Varughese was thrilled with the response she received from the athletes and staff.
“They were very keen to be an agent of change … this was incredibly inspiring for me because they are all athletes and in positions of influence,” she said in an interview last week with the Toronto Star.
“I felt they were much more transparent and honest about not only recognizing that they either had unconscious bias or didn’t even know what it was, but they were also very transparent in understanding what other people might go through.”
So what comes next? How does Hockey Canada ensure this is a conversation that continues internally, and also reaches outside the organization to the greater hockey community?
“We've done the virtual part, [so] next time that we have players together, we workshop,” Salmond says. “Talk about what we want the environment to look like, what the athletes want it to look like. I think it's one thing to have a policy or an expectation and to present that or write that somewhere. It's more powerful if the athletes are behind it and they have an opportunity to create it.
“It's really a responsibility that we have as a national sport organization and an opportunity that we have with our athletes and our staff to have an impact at the national level. And hopefully that impact finds its way to club teams and into communities across Canada.”
National Women’s Team roster unveiled for first leg of Rivalry Series
Team Canada to face United States starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Team for the first three games of the 2024-25 Rivalry Series, starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California.
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.
“The 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship is only six months away, and getting a look at our team and roster depth begins with these first three games,” said Kingsbury. “These teams know each other very well, but we still have an opportunity to build on what we worked on at September camp as we evaluate ourselves now and throughout the season.”
The roster includes 21 players who helped Canada win its 13th gold medal at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Ambrose, Bell, Bourbonnais, Campbell, Clark, Desbiens, Fast, Fillier, J. Gosling, Jenner, Larocque, Maltais, Maschmeyer, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Rattray, Serdachny, Shelton, Stacey, Turnbull).
Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC/University of Minnesota, WCHA) and Daryl Watts (Toronto, ON/Toronto, PWHL) will also make their National Women’s Team debuts in the cross-border competition.
Atlantic Canada will be the backdrop for the final two games of the series next February. The first stop will take place at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, home of the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. AT. The teams will then travel to Summerside, P.E.I., to play at Credit Union Place, home of the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. AT.
Hockey Canada, in partnership with its 13 Members, will announce grassroots initiatives for both Canadian stops, ensuring Canada’s National Women’s Team engages with the community and leaves a lasting legacy with the next generation.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all five games in the series; check local listings for details.
Canada has won the Rivalry Series in back-to-back seasons, winning the final four games in 2023 and 2024 to secure victory in seven games. Since the start of the Rivalry Series during the 2018-19 season, Canada holds a 15-13 advantage over the Americans.
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.
Road to World Juniors schedule unveiled
Seven Ontario communities to host pre-tournament games in December ahead of 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
CALGARY, Alberta – The pre-tournament schedule for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship has been announced, with seven communities slated to host games from Dec.19-23. In total, 11 games will be played throughout Eastern Ontario on the Road to the World Juniors.
The road begins and ends in Ottawa, with three games scheduled for the nation’s capital, as well as Arnprior, Belleville, Brockville, Cornwall, Hawkesbury and Kingston. Over the course of five days, all 10 competing teams will be on the ice. Canada will open its exhibition schedule with a pair of games at TD Place in Ottawa, taking on Switzerland on Dec. 19 and Sweden on Dec. 21 before facing Czechia at the Canadian Tire Centre on Dec. 23. All three games begin at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. In addition to the games, seven Ontario communities will host competing teams from around the world for pre-tournament camps ahead of the holiday hockey tradition – Arnprior (Latvia), Belleville (Czechia and Sweden), Brockville (Switzerland), Carleton Place (Kazakhstan), Cornwall (Finland and Slovakia), Kingston (United States) and Ottawa (Canada and Germany).
“This year’s World Juniors will celebrate hockey in Eastern Ontario, and we are thrilled to have these communities play host to practices and games leading up to Boxing Day,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “We know fans and volunteers in each community take immense pride in welcoming the world, and we look forward to seeing the excitement build as the 10 teams prepare to compete for a gold medal in our nation’s capital.”
Tickets for pre-tournament games are on sale now, including limited seats at TD Place for Canada’s first two matchups. CLICK HERE for more information. Limited individual game tickets remain available for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Fans can secure their seat by visiting Hockeycanada.ca/WorldJuniors. TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air all three of Canada’s pre-tournament games and all 29 tournament games, beginning with Sweden and Slovakia on Dec. 26 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. Check your local listings for more details. For more information on Hockey Canada, the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Canada earns silver medal at 2024 International Para Hockey Cup
Canada’s National Para Hockey Team falls 5-3 to the United States in the gold medal game
OSTRAVA, Czechia – Canada’s National Para Hockey Team earned a silver medal for the third consecutive year at the 2024 International Para Hockey Cup, falling 5-3 to the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday at Ostravar Arena. Auren Halbert (Calgary, AB), Dominic Cozzolino (Mississauga, ON) and James Dunn (Wallacetown, ON) scored for Canada in Sunday’s rematch of the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship gold medal game. The United States responded quickly after each Canadian goal, getting a pair of power play markers from Declan Farmer (Clearwater, FL), helping the U.S. finish the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record, including a pair of wins over Canada. “We have an understanding of what our identity is as a team and how we need to play night in and night out. I think today and yesterday we lived up to that and it gave us a chance to win,” said head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON/York University, OUA). “It’s difficult to win at this level and games often come down to little moments, and tonight the United States executed better in those moments than we did.” Canada finished the preliminary round with a 2-1 record, defeating Italy in its first game of the tournament, dropping its second game to the United States before wrapping up the preliminary round with a victory over Czechia. Canada earned its spot in the gold medal game with a 1-0 overtime win over Czechia in the semifinals on Saturday. Adam Kingsmill (Smithers, BC) was strong in net for the Canadians with 22 saves, while Dunn’sperformance, including a third-periodgoal, earned him Canada’s player of the game honours. “We saw tremendous growth this week, especially from our younger players. A lot of guys got to play heavier minutes than they are used to. Guys like Vincent Boily (Alma, QC) and Shawn Burnett (McMasterville, QC) showed the amount of hard work they put in this summer,” added Herrington . “You’re always worried after winning a big tournament like Para Worlds that there may be some complacency, but a lot of our players came back in better shape than they’ve ever been in. I thought this was a very positive two-weeks together.” Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will now focus on the 2024 Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 8-14 in Charlottetown, PE. Full-event ticket packages are on sale now .
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook , X, Instagram and TikTok.
Program of Excellence management group named for 2024-25 season
Yanick Lemay, Dave Brown, Peter Anholt oversee U17, U18, U20 programs; alumni Kyle Turris and Brent Seabrook to work with group
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the three Canadian Hockey League (CHL) general managers that will make up the Program of Excellence management group for the 2024-25 season.
Yanick Lemay (Drummondville, QC/Drummondville, QMJHL) will make his debut as a member of the POE management group, guiding the under-17 program through the 2024 U17 World Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario, while Dave Brown (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON/Erie, OHL) returned to the POE for the second year in a row, serving as under-18 lead by helping Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team win its third-straight gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August. Peter Anholt (Naicam, SK/Lethbridge, WHL) is part of the management group for the fourth-consecutive season and leading the under-20 program for the second time in as many years, advising Canada’s National Junior Team through the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.
In addition, Team Canada alumni Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC) and Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, BC) have joined the management group of the under-17 and under-20 programs, respectively. Turris will work alongside Lemay, making his management debut, while Seabrook returns to the under-20 program for the second-straight year to work alongside Anholt.
“We are grateful for Yanick, Dave, Peter, Kyle and Brent’s commitment and dedication to the Program of Excellence, as these three general managers and two recognized alumni bring a wealth of experience and leadership to Hockey Canada’s under-17, under-18 and under-20 programs,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “The POE has been successful to start the new season, with Dave helping our under-18 program capture gold on home ice, and we know Yanick, Kyle, Peter and Brent are excited to continue to contribute to Canada’s success on the international stage in the coming months.”
Lemay is currently in his second season as general manager of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Last season, he helped lead the Voltigeurs to a 102-point season, winning the Trophée Gilles-Courteau as QMJHL champions and earning a spot in the Memorial Cup. Prior to joining Drummondville, he served as an amateur scout with the Winnipeg Jets for 12 seasons (2011-23), was the head scout of the QMJHL’s Montréal Junior for three seasons (2008-11), and spent 10 seasons with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles as a scout (1998-2002) and head scout (2002-08).
Brown guided the under-17 program in 2023-24, helping Canada White to a gold medal at the 2023 U17 World Challenge. He is currently in his 10th season (2015-24) as general manager of the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after serving four seasons as director (2014-15) and assistant director (2011-14) of hockey operations with the team. Brown led Erie to an OHL championship in 2017, and contributed to a CHL record of four-consecutive 50-win seasons (2011-15). Prior to joining the Otters, he spent seven seasons with the Mississauga/Niagara IceDogs, serving as assistant general manager (2003-05) and general manager (2005-10).
Anholt led the under-20 program last season, as well as the under-18 program for two seasons (2021-23), helping Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team win a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He is currently in his ninth full season (2015-24) as general manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after being promoted from assistant general manager in 2014. Anholt also spent time as head coach of the Hurricanes for part of the 2014-15 season, and has won the WHL Executive of the Year award twice (2015-16, 2019-20). He brings a wealth of WHL experience as a head coach, assistant coach and scout, including stints with the Prince Albert Raiders (1986-89, 2002-07), Seattle Thunderbirds (1989-92, 2012-14), Red Deer Rebels (1992-95, 1998-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12) and Kelowna Rockets (1996-98).
Turris played in 776 NHL games over 14 seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes (2008-11), Ottawa Senators (2011-17), Nashville Predators (2017-20) and Edmonton Oilers (2020-22), amassing 424 points (168 goals, 256 assists). He suited up for Canada at all levels of the POE, winning gold medals at the 2006 U18 Junior World Cup and 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, and won gold with Canada West at the inaugural World Junior A Challenge in 2006, where he led the tournament in scoring and was named Most Valuable Player. Turris also played at three IIHF World Championships (2014, 2018, 2019), serving as captain and winning a silver medal in 2019.
Seabrook played in 1,114 NHL games over 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks (2005-20), recording 464 career points (103 goals, 361 assists), serving as an alternate captain for 11 seasons and winning the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015). He won a silver medal at the 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, gold medals at the 2002 Eight Nations Cup and 2003 IIHF World U18 Championship, and gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Seabrook also suited up for Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Championship and won gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Prior to his professional career, he played four WHL seasons (2001-05) for Lethbridge, serving as Hurricanes captain for two seasons (2003-05).
The management group will work alongside Salmond, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations, U20 head scout Al Murray (Regina, SK), U17 head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) and Scott Walker (Cambridge, ON), player development coach, as well as the organization’s hockey operations staff. Day-to-day operations for the POE management group include assisting in coach and player selections, supporting the coaching staffs and providing input during camps and tournaments throughout the season.
The Program of Excellence is overseen by Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer; Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president, strategy; Salmond; Roy; Dan MacKenzie (Guelph, ON), CHL president; Bryan Crawford (Hamilton, ON), OHL commissioner; Mario Cecchini (Saint-Lambert, QC), QMJHL commissioner; and Dan Near (Markham, ON), WHL commissioner.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
National Para Hockey Team roster named for 2024 International Para Hockey Cup
Defending world champions open 2024-25 season in Czechia
ELMIRA, Ontario – Hockey Canada has unveiled the 18 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at the International Para Hockey (IPH) Cup, Oct. 7-13 in Ostrava, Czechia.
Three goaltenders, five defencemen and 10 forwards were selected by head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON/York University, OUA) and Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON), manager of hockey operations. Assistant coaches Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON) , Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON) also provided input.
“We are excited to begin our 2024-25 season overseas,” said Herrington. “We want to carry the momentum from our Para Worlds success and continue to develop and grow as a group. We had a competitive evaluation camp and are excited to face three strong teams in Czechia.”
The roster features 14 players who won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary (Armstrong, Boily, Burnett, Cozzolino, Dixon, Dunn, Halbert, Henry, Jacobs-Webb, Kingsmill, Kovacevich, Lelièvre, McGregor, Watson) . Canada’s National Para Hockey Team selected its roster from the 32 players who participated in evaluation camp, Sept. 27–Oct. 3 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira, Ontario.
Canada opens its schedule at the IPH Cup against Italy at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT on Oct. 7. It will also face the United States (Oct. 8) in a rematch of the Para Worlds gold medal game, and the host Czechs (Oct. 10) in preliminary-round play. The semifinals are set for Oct. 12, with the medal games on Oct. 13.
Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will travel to Ostrava:
- Video coach Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, AB)
- Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and Matina Landstad (West Vancouver, BC/Toronto, PWHL)
- Physiotherapist Michael Lenart (Keswick, ON)
- Team physician Dr. Danielle Kelton (Guelph, ON)
- Hockey operations director Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON)
- Hockey operations coordinator Miah Armitage (Creston, BC)
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Roster named for National Para Hockey Team evaluation camp
32 players to attend six-day camp in Elmira, Ontario
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 32 players who will attend Canada’s National Para Hockey Team training camp, Sept. 27–Oct. 2 at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira, Ontario. Five goaltenders, 11 defence and 16 forwards—including 16 members of the team that won a gold medal at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary—were selected by head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON) and assistant coaches Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON), Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON).
“This camp is an important step in our journey as we begin to defend our world championship gold medal,” Herrington said. “We have an experienced group returning, as well as a group of promising young athletes that are looking to make an impression with our staff. This week allows everyone to begin to work together to become Team Canada.”
The evaluation camp includes practices, off-ice training and a trio of intrasquad games from Sept. 28-30, and will serve as an opportunity to evaluate and prepare for future international competitions. Following evaluation camp, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will compete in the International Para Hockey Cup, Oct. 7-13 in Ostrava, Czechia. For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Coaching staff named for Canada's National Para Hockey Team
World championship-winning staff returns for 2024-25 season
CALGARY, Alberta – Four months after guiding Canada’s National Para Hockey Team to its first gold medal in seven years at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship, Hockey Canada has announced the return of the coaching staff for the 2024-25 season.
Head coach Russ Herrington (Unionville, ON/ York University, OUA) returns for his third season behind the bench and will be joined again by assistant coaches Mike Fountain (Gravenhurst, ON), Boris Rybalka (Vernon, BC) and Greg Westlake (Oakville, ON).
“We are excited to have our gold medal winning staff in place for another season,” said Adam Janssen (Richmond Hill, ON), manager of hockey operations. “Coming off a tremendously successful year, capped off with a victory at the world championship in Calgary last spring, we know having a consistent and experienced staff sets our athletes up for success heading into a new season.”
The coaching staff was selected by Janssen and Jesse Albers (Victoria, BC), vice president of operations, in consultation with Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.
Herrington was named head coach of Canada’s National Para Hockey Team in August 2022 after parts of seven seasons as an assistant coach. Since 2015, he has won a total of 10 medals (two gold, eight silver), including gold at the World Para Hockey Championship in 2017 and 2024. He has also earned silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 Para Hockey Cup as head coach, as well as the 2023 Para Worlds. Herrington was an assistant coach at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, winning a silver medal. He has served as the head coach of the York University men’s hockey team since 2017.
Fountain is entering his seventh year with Team Canada, spending his first five seasons as goaltending consultant, and helping the team to a silver medal at the 2022 Paralympics. As an assistant coach since 2022, Fountain has a total of five medals (one gold, four silver) in that span, including gold at the 2024 Para Worlds and silver in 2023. As a player, Fountain represented Canada twice on the international stage, including the 1992 IIHF World Junior Championship and 1992 Spengler Cup, and enjoyed a 17-year professional career that included 11 NHL games. Rybalka returns as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team for a second season after helping it to gold at Para Worlds. The all-time leader in wins by a coach in Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) history (683), Rybalka won two gold medals (2006, 2007) and one silver (2008) as head coach of Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge. The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Coach of the Year in 2003-04, he led the Camrose Kodiaks to five AJHL championships (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008) and won the Royal Bank Cup as national Junior A champions in 2001. Westlake enters his second season as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team, having helped the team to gold at the 2024 Para Worlds. The second all-time leading scorer in Team Canada history (175-194—369 in 240 games) had a monumental playing career, winning a total of 12 medals (four gold, five silver, three bronze), including Paralympic gold in 2006. As an assistant coach, Westlake won gold at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship and silver at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup.
Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will work with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team throughout the 2024-25 season:
- Assistant coach, mindset and leadership Liam Heelis (Georgetown, ON)
- Equipment managers Grant Boswall (Cornwall, PE) and AJ Murley (St. John’s, NL)
- Guest equipment manager Matina Landstad (West Vancouver, BC/Toronto, PWHL)
- Athletic therapist Tracy Meloche (Essex, ON)
- Physiotherapist Michael Lenart (Keswick, ON)
- Medical IST lead Christine Atkins (Fort Macleod, AB)
- Physical performance lead Bryan Yu (Edmonton, AB)
- Team physicians Dr. Ben Cameron (Summerside, PE) and Dr. Danielle Kelton (Guelph, ON)
- Dietician Kelly Anne Erdman (Edmonton, AB)
- Senior Manager, Hockey Operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON)
- Hockey operations coordinator Hannah Curlock (Calgary, AB)
- Media relations coordinator Branden Crowe (Virden, MB)
Following a September evaluation camp, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will compete in the International Para Hockey Cup, set for Oct. 7-13 in Ostrava, Czechia. For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Para Hockey, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook , X and Instagram.
Schedule and single-game ticket information announced for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
Tournament begins Boxing Day in Ottawa; single-game tickets on sale Sept. 20
OTTAWA, Ontario – Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) have released the schedule for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, which is set to take place Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025, in Ottawa.
“In partnership with the IIHF and our incredible tournament partners, we are so excited to announce the schedule for the upcoming World Juniors in Ottawa,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “It is hard to believe that puck drop is only 100 days away, and we cannot wait to see both venues packed with fans cheering on the best junior hockey players in the world this holiday season.”
In the preliminary round, Canada, the United States, Finland, Latvia and Germany will compete in Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre. Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan will form Group B and play at TD Place.
The opening day of the tournament will feature Sweden playing Slovakia at 12 p.m. ET, the United States facing Germany at 2:30 p.m. ET, Czechia battling Switzerland at 5 p.m. ET and Canada taking on Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Following games against Latvia on Dec. 27 and Germany on Dec. 29, Canada will play the United States on Dec. 31, marking the first time that the two teams have faced each other on New Year’s Eve since the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.
The relegation game and quarterfinals will take place on Jan. 2, before the tournament shifts exclusively to the Canadian Tire Centre for the semifinals on Jan. 4 and medal games on Jan. 5.
All 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship games will be broadcast on TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada.
“As a partner with Hockey Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, we are thrilled to provide our members with the opportunity to participate in the World Juniors,” said Debbie Rambeau, executive director of Hockey Eastern Ontario. “The announcement of the tournament schedule is an exciting time and we look forward to announcing more community, player, coach and official activities in the coming months.”
More than 155,000 fans signed up for the 2025 World Juniors Priority Draw for a chance to purchase tournament ticket packages and access a pre-sale for single-game tickets that begins on Sept. 18.
Limited single-game ticket inventory will go on sale to the public on HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets at 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 20.
In December 2023, the Province of Ontario announced a $4 million investment for the 2025 World Juniors to benefit the planning and delivery of the event.
“Our government is proud to support the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the Ottawa area for this major international event,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s minister of sport. “Fans of all ages will get the chance to watch the hockey stars of tomorrow in action, right here in Ontario – reinforcing our province’s status as a premier sport hosting destination.”
The list of communities that will host pre-tournament games, along with the pre-tournament schedule, will be announced in October.
For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Schedules announced for three fall events
Tickets for U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship, Junior A World Challenge, Para Cup available now
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules and ticket package details for the 2024 editions of the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship and Para Cup.
In addition, Hockey Canada has also announced that tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Junior A World Challenge, which is set to take place at Encana Arena in Camrose, Alberta, from Dec. 9-15, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and National Hockey League (NHL). The schedule and format for this year’s event will be announced at a later date.
“The unveiling of the schedules and ticket packages for our fall events is an exciting milestone, as the anticipation for the puck to drop continues to build while allowing fans and community members to plan their involvement in world-class events across the country,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “Hosting major events is not possible without the commitment and passion of these great communities, and we are grateful for the community leaders, volunteers, partners and our Members who make these events possible.”
The U17 World Challenge returns as a six-team format for the second-straight year, with Sarnia, Ontario, hosting at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena from Nov. 3-9. The teams — Canada Red, Canada White, Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States — will be split into two groups and will each play two preliminary-round games before the medal round. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Sarnia, Petrolia and Forest on Nov. 1.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, the U18 Women’s National Championship will be held in Atlantic Canada. Eight teams consisting of the top under-18 players in Canada — Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Québec and Saskatchewan —will descend on the qplex in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, from Nov. 3-9.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of ParaSport and Recreation PEI, the Para Cup returns to the East Coast for the second straight year (2023 in Quispamsis, New Brunswick), with Canada’s National Para Hockey Team looking to secure its second-straight gold medal in international competition at the Bell Aliant Centre in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Canada will compete against China, Czechia and the United States from Dec. 8-14.
Full-event ticket packages for the U17 World Challenge, U18 Women’s National Championship, Para Cup and Junior A World Challenge are on sale now and can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets. Fans that purchase a full-event ticket package to any fall event before Sept. 20 will be entered into a contest to win a 2025 World Juniors prize package. The prize package includes two tickets to both semifinals and the medal games, at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, as well as hotel accommodations for two nights and two $100 Hockey Canada merchandise vouchers. Hockey Canada and the local organizing committees of its fall events are currently looking to fill several volunteer positions for all four events. Individuals that are interested in creating a world-class experience for players and fans alike are encouraged to CLICK HERE to learn more about Hockey Canada’s volunteer program or visit the individual event pages to apply now.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with broadcast details to be announced at a later date.
For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
48 players invited to Canada’s National Women’s Team September Camp, presented by BFL CANADA
21 world champions among group of players to begin 2024-25 season in Thorold
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has invited 48 of the nation’s best players to Canada’s National Women’s Team September Camp, presented by BFL CANADA, Sept. 9-15 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario.
Six goaltenders, 16 defence and 26 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), senior manager of player development and scouting Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON) and head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL). 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), and goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL) also provided input on player selections.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to evaluate the depth of talent in our player pool and set the tone for the upcoming season,” said Kingsbury. “We will also continue to grow and build on our identity as a team as we prepare for the Rivalry Series and ultimately the IIHF Women’s World Championship next April in Czechia.”
The roster includes 21 players who helped Canada capture its 13th gold medal at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Ambrose, Bell, Bourbonnais, Campbell, Clark, Desbiens, Fast, Fillier, J. Gosling, N. Gosling, Jenner, Larocque, Maltais, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Rattray, Serdachny, Shelton, Stacey, Turnbull).
It also includes seven players attending their first camp with Canada’s National Women’s Team (Amos, Cooper, Kraemer, Pais, Primerano, Watts, Woods).
The players will be split into Red and White teams for practices, fitness testing and a pair of intrasquad games. Brock University will be hosting the Red-White intrasquad games on Sept. 12 and 14 at Canada Games Park. Click here to purchase tickets. Media wishing to attend camp must apply for accreditation HERE.
Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will work with Canada’s National Women’s Team for the 2024-25 season:
- Video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON)
- Strength and conditioning coach Vicki Bendus (Wasaga Beach, ON/Montréal, PWHL)
- Equipment managers Alana Goulden (Aurora, ON/Toronto, PWHL) and Blair Smook (Airdrie, AB)
- Team physician Laura Bennion (Vancouver, BC)
- Therapists Christine Atkins (Fort Macleod, AB) and Danielle McNally (Wolfville, NS)
- Massage therapist Meagan Cowell (London, ON)
- Mental performance consultant Sommer Christie (Montréal, QC)
- Senior hockey operations manager Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB)
- Hockey operations manager Savannah Newton (Halifax, NS)
- Hockey operations coordinator Cassidy Wait (North Vancouver, BC)
- Media relations manager Esther Madziya (Lethbridge, AB)
For a complete list of camp support staff, please click here.
Following September camp, players will prepare for the season with their PWHL and college teams before a roster is named for the first international competition of the season, the 2024-25 Rivalry Series starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California.
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 and Instagram.
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