Canada unveil gold-filled Rivalry Series women’s hockey roster

Canada’s roster for the first three games of its Women’s Rivalry Series against the United States includes 16 players who have won gold at the Olympic Games and World Hockey Championships this year.

Canada’s 23-player roster announced Wednesday includes veteran forwards Marie-Philip Poulin, Brianne Jenner, Sarah Nurse as well as defender Jocelyne Larocque and goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens.

The seven-game series begins Nov. 15 in Kelowna, BC, followed two days later by Game 2 in Kamloops, BC. The United States then hosts Canada on November 20 in Seattle.

Canada beat the United States 2-1 to win gold at the world championships Sept. 4 in Herning, Denmark.

The Canadians also beat the Americans 3-2 in February’s Olympic final in Beijing.

Defenseman Claire Thompson returns to Canada’s roster for the Rivalry Series after missing the world championship due to medical school commitments.

Thompson led all Olympic defensemen with two goals and 11 assists and was named to the All-Star team.

Giguère ready for his Canadian debut

Elizabeth Giguère of Quebec makes her national team debut.

The 25-year-old forward won the Patty Kazmaier Award, which recognizes the top player in NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey, when she played for Clarkson in 2020.

Forward Loren Gabel and defender Jaime Bourbonnais who represented Canada prior to 2022 are also back in the roster.

All but two of Rivalry’s players are affiliated with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA).

Giguere and Gabel play for Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation.

Canada went 3-1-1 against the United States in last season’s pandemic-shortened Rivalry Series.

The United States will host Game 4 of the series on December 15 in Henderson, Nevada. The remaining dates and locations have yet to be announced.