Hockey Canada has announced that the annual Canada-U.S. women’s hockey Rivalry Series will wrap up with two games in Edmonton this season. Scheduled for December 10 and 13, these games will serve as the final preparation ahead of the Olympics in Italy in February, where the Canadian team aims to defend its gold medal from Beijing in 2022.
Canadian GM Gina Kingsbury expressed excitement about the upcoming games, emphasizing the special opportunity for the players to compete in front of their home crowd and inspire younger fans. Unlike previous seasons where Olympic hopefuls trained together for months in one location, this year’s players will also participate in the PWHL season, which kicks off with training camps in November.
The Canadian team will have limited opportunities to train together, with only four Rivalry Series games and three national-team training blocks on the schedule. The PWHL has emerged as a crucial platform for evaluating players and shaping the Olympic team, leading to significant changes in the team’s training approach.
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin is set to lead the team in pursuit of her fourth Olympic gold medal, positioning her alongside esteemed hockey figures such as Jayna Hefford, Hayley Wickenheiser, and Caroline Ouellette. Meanwhile, young talents like 18-year-old Chloe Primerano are vying for a chance to make their Olympic debut.
The Rivalry Series will pit the Canadian team against a young, talented American squad, featuring players with potential for future PWHL draft success. Notably, veteran Hilary Knight will lead the American team in what she has announced as her final Olympic appearance.
The games in Edmonton will be held at Rogers Place, the home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, marking a return to the city where the Canadian and American teams last faced off in 2017. The event is expected to not only deliver high-level competition but also engage in grassroots initiatives to inspire the next generation of hockey fans.
Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of Hockey Canada, expressed anticipation for the competitive matchups and emphasized the goal of fostering a lasting impact on the community.
