25 Players to Represent Canada at Key Olympic Women's Hockey Tune-up Games
Canada’s national women’s hockey team will face the United States in a four-game Rivalry Series starting this week, with matches scheduled in Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. Two additional games are set for December in Edmonton, Alberta.
These matches mark a vital step in Hockey Canada’s preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, where the final roster will soon be decided. A total of 25 players will compete in the Rivalry Series as they vie for spots on the team that will aim to defend its Olympic gold medal.
With fewer than 100 days before the Games, the Rivalry Series serves as a critical opportunity for athletes on the bubble to showcase their skills. It also allows the coaching staff to test new line combinations and build team chemistry, since only four games remain before the Olympics in February.
The series opens Thursday in Cleveland, followed by a Saturday matchup in Buffalo. The final two games in Edmonton will take place on December 10 and 13, with potential roster changes expected for those contests.
“These four games are more than just a mini-competition between two rival nations; they remain an important measuring stick for us as we continue building toward the 2026 Olympic Winter Games,” said Canadian GM Gina Kingsbury.
Author’s Summary
The Rivalry Series gives 25 Canadian players a final test and team-building chance before Hockey Canada finalizes its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.