Hockey Canada announces women’s lineup for World Championship in BC
On Monday, Hockey Canada named 23 players to the team that will shoot for the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship title on home soil.
After finishing second at the 2015 World Championship in Malmo, Sweden, the Canadians will look to take their shot at redemption and win gold in front of a home crowd in Kamloops, British Columbia.
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The team will be led by Canada’s Sochi 2014 leading scorer and returning team captain, Marie-Philip Poulin. Six-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser will also make her World Championship return, after sitting out last year due to a foot surgery.
Team Canada sings the Canadian national anthem after receiving their gold medals after beating the USA 3-2 in overtime of the women’s gold medal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (Mark Humphrey)
The roster features an additional 11 members of the Sochi 2014 Olympic gold medal winning team: Meaghan Agosta, Brianne Jenner, Rebecca Johnston, Laura Fortino, Charline Labonté, Jocelyne Larocque, Meaghan Mikkelso, Lauriane Rougeau, Natalie Spooner, Jennifer Wakefield and Tara Watchorn.
The Canadians will face off against the defending World champions, the United States, in their first match of the tournament on March 28. The team will also play against Russia (March 29) and Finland (March 31) in the preliminary round of the tournament.
Canada vs. Switzerland
Canada has played in every IIHF women’s World Championship final since the tournament began 16 years ago. The team will look to win its 11th gold medal match on April 4.
