The New Glasgow, NS, native will be joined on the bench alongside Caroline Ouellette and Kris Sparre for the upcoming 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Esbjerg, Denmark, from November 6-16.
“I am incredibly proud and honoured to have the opportunity to lead Canada’s National Women’s Team," said Kori Cheverie after being named head coach of Canada's National Women's Team for the 2026-27 season. She will be joined on the bench by assistant coaches Caroline Ouellette and Kris Sparre as they prepare for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Esbjerg, Denmark, from November 6-16.
“Growing up playing hockey in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, I had big dreams of one day being part of Team Canada," Cheverie said via media release. "I didn’t know then that my path would be through coaching, and I am extremely grateful that this journey has now given me the opportunity to lead this program. I am excited to work alongside an amazing group of athletes and staff as we continue building together. With the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in front of us in November, I cannot wait to get to work, compete for Canada and continue pushing this program forward.”
Cheverie, the first woman to serve on the coaching staff of one of Canada’s national men’s teams at the IIHF U18 World Championship, is coming off a season in which she led the Montreal Victoire to the Walter Cup and Canada to an Olympic silver medal at Milano Cortina. Internationally, Cheverie has won gold with Canada at the IIHF Women’s World Championship in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
“This elite coaching staff brings the passion, grit and experience we need to launch a new Olympic quadrennial, as it is crucial to build an environment that will foster growth and opportunity," said Danièle Sauvageau, general manager of Team Canada.
Ouellette finished her second season as an assistant coach with the Victoire and brings a wealth of international experience from her 17-year playing career and her time as an assistant coach, including most recently winning silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sparre, head coach of PWHL Hamilton, is coming off his first PWHL season, in which he won the league's Coach of the Year award with the Boston Fleet.
In addition, Canada announced its management team, including Bruce Cassidy, who most recently served as an assistant coach with Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team in 2026, as special advisor to general manager Sauvageau, and Mike Hirshfeld (Ottawa Charge) and Manon Rhéaume (PWHL Detroit) as assistant general managers.
"We did not just assemble a coaching staff—we built a leadership force," Sauvageau said. "Starting in Quebec City, we are laying a championship foundation. This team will represent Canada with fierce pride and power in Denmark and the years ahead.
Canada's selection camp will take place in Quebec City from October 8 to 14 and will include two intrasquad games at Centre Vidéotron on October 12 and 14. Canada will then play host to the United States in a pre-tournament game on October 28 at WFCU Centre in Windsor.
