Canada has changes to make, USA's goaltending hierarchy may have changed, injury impacts and much more. Here are five things we learned at the 2024-25 Rivalry Series.
Canada has changes to make, USA's goaltending hierarchy may have changed, injury impacts and much more. Here are five things we learned at the 2024-25 Rivalry Series.
The 2024-25 Rivalry Series is in the books with Canada winning their fourth straight series. It culminated Saturday night in Summerside, PEI as Canada beat USA 3-1 in a fifth and deciding game.
The Series from start to finish provided some insight into potential rosters for the 2025 World Championships and 2026 Olympics, albeit not as much as it has in past years. But there were still lessons to be learned from the Rivalry Series, and the PWHL and NCAA seasons surrounding the event.
Canada Has Cuts To Make
Canada looked better than the USA in the final two games, and looked less so when USA had the bulk of their roster intact in November. Watching the struggles of certain players game in and game out in the PWHL is one thing, but when you see it confirmed in the Rivalry Series, it's another. The main omissions from previous national teams for this roster, whether it was due to injury, management choice, or other commitments include players like Natalie Spooner, Jessie Eldridge, and Nicole Gosling. Others like Jaime Bourbonnais and Kristen Campbell certainly raised eyebrows, but neither have had a good year. In reality, the emergence of Jennifer Gardiner should certainly push one forward out of a roster spot, even after/if Spooner returns. It also becomes apparent that another player will need to be cut to make room for Daryl Watts. But it's also time Canada does more to prepare for their aging roster's needs. It might not happen this season, but Canada might be facing a need in time for the 2026 Olympics. In the NCAA, Jocelyn Amos and Emmalee Pais are ready for their shot. And players like Anne Cherkowski, Jenna Buglioni, Sarah Paul, Claire Murdoch, and Mackenzie Alexander (despite the fact the latter was omitted from Canada's development roster) can provide as much, and likely more in a depth roles than some of Canada's veterans. If you look at Canada's most recent roster, and focus in on their fourth line, the most likely cuts up front are Jamie Lee Rattray and Kristin O'Neill, although both can still play fourth line checking roles effectively. On the back end, it continues to look like Jocelyne Larocque is on her way out for Canada, particularly with the return of Claire Thompson...and Canada should not hold back Nicole Gosling any more, unless perhaps it's for the renewed version of Micah Zandee-Hart we've seen this season.
Philips Has Likely Claimed USA's Number Two Spot
Make no mistake, USA has never been shy to change their crease. Evolution and succession in net seems to be part of Team USA's DNA. It remains Aerin Frankel's crease, but, Gwyneth Philips certainly made her case. As she gains confidence in the PWHL, which is currently only being diminished by the fact Emerance Maschmeyer has played so well ahead of her with the Ottawa Charge, Philips could soon be pushing Frankel. With Nicole Hensley's uncharacteristic struggles persisting in Minnesota, the order may have just changed with Philips moving up the depth chart. USA seems set on not inviting back Maddie Rooney, which means looking down the pipeline, Ava McNaughton might be next in to USA's third spot if they choose to follow their recent path of two pros and a college goalie.
Canada Doesn't Tip Their Hat On Their Third Goalie Choice
Ann-Renee Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer have been incredible this season both at the Rivalry Series and in the PWHL. There is no reason to question they will be Canada's number one and two heading into Worlds. There shouldn't be a question that Corinne Schroeder, who has been equally impressive this season, and last year when she outperformed Canada's other two netminders professionally. That said, without Canada giving Schroeder a game, it's hard to tell if they'll keep Campbell third in line for the throne, or they'll finally make the necessary move to look for a goalie of the future who could confidently play now should an injury occur.
USA's Future Is Bright
It might not come until the 2027 Worlds, but there's a time coming where USA will be a very difficult team to beat, and should be the odds on favorite for 3-4 seasons of gold medals. With Taylor Heise, Hannah Bilka, Cayla Barnes, Aerin Frankel, Gwyneth Philips, and several others in their opening years of pro hockey, a new core is forming. Currently, Canada's group of PWHL players is stronger, but that's about to change. But once the 2026 PWHL Draft passes, USA's PWHL / national team contingent will grow to include, at the very least, Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Casey O'Brien, Kirsten Simms, Tessa Janecke, Haley Winn, Abbey Murphy, Lacey Eden, Rory Guilday, and Sydney Morrow. USA's pool of talent however extends far beyond this group and could also by that time at the PWHL level include Ella Huber, Emma Peschel, Elyssa Biederman, Kiara Zanon, and Skylar Irving or half a dozen others. Not to mention Joy Dunne will be drafted in 2027, as will Laney Potter, Cassie Hall, and Ava McNaughton. Conversely, Canada doesn't have a strong 2026 PWHL Draft group. 2027 and 2028 will provide Canada will their first true infusion of talent that could quickly be counted on as part of their national team core. 2027 will include Jocelyn Amos and Emmalee Pais, along with goalie Eve Gascon. It won't however be until the 2028 Draft where Canada will start to put their new core into place as Chloe Primerano, Caitlin Kraemer, Claire Murdoch, Emma Venusio, Mackenzie Alexander and others challenge. The only American in that class who could grab a top spot is Maggie Scannell. After 2028, the next two drafts, at least as they appear today, will be dominated by Canadians and Europeans.
The Injury Bug Could Change Everything
USA couldn't bring Grace Zumwinkle, Hayley Scamurra, Alex Carpenter, or Gabby Rosenthal, who were all named to their February Rivalry Series roster due to injury. Canada is still without Natalie Spooner. But we also so players leave games or miss time in the final games of the series including Sarah Nurse, Hannah Bilka, and Sarah Fillier. Each of those players could have a trickle down effect on future rosters, and while all are likely to be healthy and ready in time for the 2025 World Championships, a new set of injuries could certainly be waiting for PWHL or NCAA players. USA perhaps did a better job of preparing for that scenario by having a much larger overall player pool participate in the Rivalry Series, while Canada stuck almost exclusively to tried and tested players. Both nations have huge pools available, and don't for one second think that because Canada didn't use more players, it means Canada doesn't have a pool that Gina Kingsbury is well aware of ready to go. USA's NCAA group coming in however, still has more of that youthful elasticity.Even though USA is facing more injuries at the moment, Canada's aging core might be more at risk.