The PWHL isn’t just the future of hockey—it is officially the present. Hockey Canada has announced its roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and the result is a historic, 100% professional takeover.
For the first time in history, every single one of the 23 players selected is an active pro in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. This isn’t just a national team; it’s a PWHL All-Star squad with gold medals as the final exam.
The Olympic Delegation by Franchise
The depth of the league is on full display here. While Toronto leads the pack, every market in the PWHL is represented on the flight to Italy.
| PWHL Franchise | Players Count | The Olympic Delegation |
| Toronto Sceptres | 6 | Renata Fast (D), Ella Shelton (D), Natalie Spooner (F), Blayre Turnbull (F), Emma Maltais (F), Daryl Watts (F) |
| Montréal Victoire | 5 | Ann-Renée Desbiens (G), Erin Ambrose (D), Kati Tabin (D), Marie-Philip Poulin (F), Laura Stacey (F) |
| Vancouver Goldeneyes | 5 | Emerance Maschmeyer (G), Claire Thompson (D), Sophie Jaques (D), Sarah Nurse (F), Jenn Gardiner (F) |
| Ottawa Charge | 3 | Jocelyne Larocque (D), Brianne Jenner (F), Emily Clark (F) |
| New York Sirens | 3 | Kayle Osborne (G), Sarah Fillier (F), Kristin O’Neill (F) |
| Seattle Torrent | 1 | Julia Gosling (F) |
🚨 Sirens Spotlight: New York’s Olympic Trio
The Sirens are sending a powerhouse trio to Milan, headlined by 2025 PWHL Rookie of the Year Sarah Fillier. Fillier, who tied for the league lead in points (29) last season, returns to the Olympics looking to build on her 8-goal performance from 2022.
Joining her is Kristin O’Neill, a defensive powerhouse acquired in the blockbuster Abby Roque trade, and goaltender Kayle Osborne. Osborne has earned her Olympic debut the hard way, posting an elite .922 save percentage in the world’s toughest pro league.
Catch the Send-Off: Fans can cheer on Fillier, O’Neill, and Osborne in person during the Sirens’ final home game before the Olympic break on Tuesday, January 20th, as they take on the Ottawa Charge at 7:00 PM EST.
Goldeneyes Spotlight: The West Coast Wall
Vancouver’s inaugural Olympic delegation is headlined by the record-breaking Sarah Nurse. While Nurse is currently on Long-Term Injured Reserve following her historic first-ever goal for the franchise, her selection signals confidence that the 2022 Olympic All-Star will be ready for Milan.
The Goldeneyes blueline is also set to dominate, featuring Claire Thompson—who holds the Olympic record for points by a defender (13)—and Sophie Jaques, the former Patty Kazmaier winner who currently leads Vancouver in ice time. Between the pipes, Emerance Maschmeyer brings a stellar .916 save percentage and two undefeated Olympic starts to the squad.
The Ultimate Matchup: Vancouver fans can catch their five Olympians in a “clash of titans” on January 22nd, as they host the Toronto Sceptres (who lead the league with 6 Olympians) for the first time at Pacific Coliseum.
Veterans vs. The New Guard
The experience level of this roster reads like a hockey history book. At the top is Marie-Philip Poulin, heading to her fifth Olympic Games. “Captain Clutch” is looking to add to a trophy case that already includes three golds and a silver. She is joined by fellow four-time Olympians Brianne Jenner, Jocelyne Larocque, and Natalie Spooner.
The Olympic Debutants
However, the most exciting part of this 2026 squad is the “New Guard”—six players who have played their way onto the world’s biggest stage through their performance in the PWHL. Leading that pack for New York fans is goaltender Kayle Osborne, who earns her first Olympic nod after a stellar season with the Sirens. Joining her in the debutante class is Toronto’s Daryl Watts, alongside Jenn Gardiner (VAN), Julia Gosling (SEA), Sophie Jaques (VAN), and Kati Tabin (MTL).
Team-by-Team Roster Breakdown
Toronto Sceptres: The Roster Core (6 Players)
Toronto leads the league with over 25% of the total roster. The Sceptres’ contribution is built on elite defensive stability and veteran offensive firepower.
- Renata Fast & Ella Shelton (D): These two often pair together in Toronto and will likely form Canada’s top defensive pairing.
- Natalie Spooner (F): The veteran leader heading to her fourth Olympic Games.
- Blayre Turnbull (F): A two-way specialist and key member of the leadership group.
- Emma Maltais (F): A high-energy forward who can play up and down the lineup.
- Daryl Watts (F): Making her long-awaited Olympic debut after dominating the PWHL scoring race.
Montréal Victoire: The Veteran Engine (5 Players)
Montréal provides the historical heart of the team, including the most iconic name in women’s hockey history.
- Marie-Philip Poulin (F): “Captain Clutch” heads to her fifth Olympics, chasing her fourth gold medal.
- Ann-Renée Desbiens (G): The projected starter who has never lost an Olympic game.
- Erin Ambrose (D) & Kati Tabin (D): Another club pairing that gives Team Canada instant chemistry on the blueline.
- Laura Stacey (F): A powerhouse winger whose speed is a weapon on international ice.
Vancouver Goldeneyes: The West Coast Wall (5 Players)
Vancouver’s inaugural season has translated into a defensive windfall for Canada, providing elite puck-movers and goaltending depth.
- Sarah Nurse (F): The 2022 scoring record-holder (18 points) is currently working her way back from LTIR to lead Canada’s gold medal defense.
- Claire Thompson (D): The Olympic record-holder for scoring by a defender leads Vancouver in points (7) this season.
- Emerance Maschmeyer (G): A veteran presence with 8 World Championship medals and a 2.54 GAA this season.
- Sophie Jaques (D): The 2023 Patty Kazmaier winner and a 2-time Walter Cup champion makes her highly anticipated Olympic debut.
- Jenn Gardiner (F): A rising star who led the 2025 World Championships in goals (6) and sits second in Goldeneyes scoring.
Ottawa Charge: The Two-Way Specialists (3 Players)
Ottawa provides the “chess pieces” for Coach Troy Ryan—players who can play in any situation and shut down the world’s best.
- Jocelyne Larocque (D): At 37, Larocque is still the most feared shutdown defender in the world and the physical heartbeat of the defense.
- Brianne Jenner (F): The 2022 Olympic MVP remains one of the smartest tactical players in the game.
- Emily Clark (F): An elite penalty killer and forechecker who provides the energy and “grit” Canada needs in tight games.
New York Sirens: The Speed & Skill (3 Players)
The Sirens are represented by a trio of stars who define the “New York style”: fast, resilient, and ready for the big stage.
- Kayle Osborne (G): The rookie sensation makes her Olympic debut after a historic season where she proved she can handle the league’s biggest workload.
- Sarah Fillier (F): One of the most lethal shooters in the world, Fillier returns to the Olympics as a premier professional star.
- Kristin O’Neill (F): A defensive specialist and faceoff expert who has blossomed into a reliable secondary scorer.
Seattle Torrent: The Expansion Milestone (1 Player)
- Julia Gosling (F): The Torrent’s power forward makes history as the franchise’s first-ever Olympian, making her debut in Milan.
A PWHL Staff for a PWHL Team
The “takeover” doesn’t stop at the players. The leadership group—GM Gina Kingsbury, Head Coach Troy Ryan, and assistants like Kori Cheverie and Caroline Ouellette—all have day jobs in the league. They aren’t just selecting a team; they are bringing their professional chemistry to Italy, a luxury Hockey Canada has never had in the pre-PWHL era.
The Road to Milan: Schedule & Outlook
The message is clear: The PWHL has professionalized the Canadian program to a point of no return. When Canada faces Finland on February 5th, they won’t just be defending a legacy; they’ll be proving that the league’s “High-Fidelity” style of play is the gold standard of the world.
- Opening Match: Canada vs. Finland | Feb 5, 2026 | 3:10 PM ET (12:10 PM PT)
- The Rivalry: Canada vs. USA | February 10, 2026
- Gold Medal Game: February 19, 2026
The PWHL built the stage. Now, Canada expects them to bring the gold home.