Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Danièle Sauvageau, who is the current general manager for the PWHL's Montreal Victoire, has been named Canada's new women's national program general manager through the 2030 Olympic Games.

Sauvageau will maintain her role with the Montreal Victoire for the 2026-27 season, before joining Hockey Canada full-time as vice president of hockey operations and general manager of Canada's national women's program for the remaining three years ahead of the 2030 Olympics, which will take place in France.

“We are thrilled to announce Danièle Sauvageau’s return to Hockey Canada as general manager of the National Women’s Program. Danièle brings a wealth of experience in professional and international hockey, including as the first Canadian head coach and general manager to win an Olympic gold medal and the only Canadian general manager to win a Walter Cup,” said Scott Salmond, a member of Hockey Canada's search team.

“We are confident in Danièle’s vision to develop our athletes on and off the ice and we are excited for her to implement her strategy with the National Women’s Program during the 2026-27 season and throughout this Olympic quadrennial.”

Sauvageau replaces Gina Kingsbury who held the role through the previous Olympic cycle.

“Throughout her career, Danièle has enjoyed tremendous success, and while we know there is a lot of work ahead for our National Women’s Program, we have a leader in place who is a proven winner and knows what it will take to be successful at the 2030 Olympic Winter Games,” Katherine Henderson, Hockey Canada's CEO added. “Danièle will also be empowered to ensure our elite development pathway is producing exceptional athletes and people in a system that is innovative, proactive and uniquely Canadian.“

"The explosion of women’s and girls’ hockey has created a need to be more aggressive with elite player development, and Hockey Canada is committed to being a leading organization that provides opportunities for more participants to develop in our system and hopefully wear the Maple Leaf as they represent our country.”

Sauvageau served as Italy's general manager heading into the 2026 Olympics helping to build a roster that advanced to the Olympic quarter finals.

This will be Sauvageau's second stint with Hockey Canada after coaching Canada to a 2001 World Championship and Olympic gold medal in 2002. She also served as GM for the 2002 Olympic roster.

“Joining Hockey Canada as general manager of the National Women’s Program is a privilege,” said Sauvageau. “Working alongside the country’s best women’s hockey players and staff as we prepare for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games is an incredible opportunity and we have our sights set on showing the very best performance at every opportunity along the way. I have incredible memories of representing Team Canada and understand the preparation and collaboration required to achieve success at the international level.”

Sauvageau's next step will be hiring a coaching staff for Canada ahead of the 2026 World Championships in November.