(Calgary) Forward Marie-Philip Poulin and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens are the only two Quebecers to earn a spot on Canada’s women’s hockey team for the Ice Hockey World Championship .
Hockey Canada announced Thursday the names of the 23 players who will represent the country from April 5-16 at the tournament in Brampton, Ont.
The team will bring together three goalkeepers, seven defenders and 13 forwards. These players were selected by Head Coach Troy Ryan, in conjunction with Gina Kingsbury, Director of Hockey Operations, and Cherie Piper, Senior Scouting and Player Development Officer.
“Our staff had to make some really tough decisions when selecting the roster, and that really reflects the depth of our program,” Ryan said in a statement.
We are certain to have formed a talented group with a lot of character and leadership. Our staff members look forward to working with each of these athletes as we begin our journey to the world championship.
Troy Ryan, head coach of the Canadian team
The roster includes defender Danielle Serdachny, who will be making their first appearance at the World Women’s Championship, and 18 skaters who won the 12e Canada’s gold medal at the 2022 Women’s Worlds in Denmark.
The coaching staff includes Quebecer Caroline Ouellette.
Poulin and Desbiens participated in the two Rivalry Series games played on Quebec soil, in Trois-Rivières and Laval, on February 20 and 22. Canada won both games by scores of 5-1 and 5-0.
During these meetings, Poulin scored two goals, and the first allowed him to collect his 200e career point with Team Canada. As for Desbiens, his shutout was the sixth of his career with the national team and his first against the Americans.
At the World Championship, Canada and the United States will play in Group A with Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Japan. In the group stage, Canada and the United States will meet on April 10.
Previously, the Canadians will face Switzerland on April 5, the Czech Republic on April 7 and Japan on April 8.
Group B teams will be Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Germany and France.