World Championships: Did Canada Change Enough To Reclaim Gold?

It didn't take a hockey analyst to see that USA and Canada were on a different level at the 2023 IIHF Women's World Championships, and in the past two Rivalry Series' when NCAA players were involved as well. While Canada won the last two editions of the Rivalry Series, they benefitted from USA's bread and butter, their youth, being unable to play.

With the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Utica, New York rapidly approaching, Canada unveiled their 23 player roster,  which looked remarkably similar to last year's silver medal team. Did the changes Canada made be enough? Or can last year's roster find a way to reclaim gold?

Gone are Rebecca Johnston, Claire Thompson, and Micah Zandee-Hart. Johnston has been one of Canada's best for a decade, but last season the pace was obviously a challenge for the veteran. She hung up her skates as a player this year, which opened the door for a new forward, Julia Gosling. An alternate at the 2022 Olympics, Gosling was a force for Canada this year in the Rivalry Series. She's a power forward who adds size, and drive. She takes the puck to hard spaces, and has a high compete level. When she was on the ice with Danielle Serdachny, the duo were hard to miss. Canada gravely under-utilized Serdachny, who led the NCAA in scoring last season, at the 2023 Worlds. This year, it would be a catastrophic mistake to do the same. The duo of Gosling and Serdachny won't alone be enough to lift Canada over USA, but they'll go a long way in that effort. On the blueline, Canada has been pretty monotone in their approach over the last few seasons. It's likely what led to the decision to bring in Nicole Gosling, who although she's skilled at getting pucks to the net, she's also a player who defends well, makes a good first pass, and thrives in transition. She was certainly one of Canada's more reliable defenders at the Rivalry Series. Ashton Bell is also in, playing a similar puck moving style to Thompson. She's been good for PWHL Ottawa this year.

There's little doubt players like Marie-Philip Poulin, Natalie Spooner, and Renata Fast will again play crucial minutes for Canada. Sarah Nurse has been heating up in the PWHL, and Sarah Fillier will certainly be a force again. That said, Canada has some players who need to do more. Kristen O'Neill has been quiet both in the PWHL and internationally. She can play a checking line role, but there are players in the system who can do that as well, who might provide more of a spark. This will be a make or break tournament for her and her future with the national program. While she has been Canada's secret weapon at times, and has been oddly productive often receiving less than 10 minutes per night in ice, Jamie Lee Rattray is another player to keep an eye on. She preys on the lack of depth of other teams, but in an era where Canada needs to infuse a new spark, it will likely start at depth positions. If the Rivalry Series is any indication, Emily Clark and Emma Maltais may be in for increased roles and opportunities on scoring lines. They both have that capability, particularly Clark. Danielle Serdachny is ready for top six opportunities as well, as leaving her in a fourth line role would be a mistake. Canada can't simply run back the same alignment as the USA has progressed beyond them. Canada will certainly win a share of one game gold medal games, if they make it there, but the scales are beginning to tip. 

Ann-Renee Desbiens is one of the best to ever put pads on for Canada, full stop. Last year in the gold medal game, she looked very pedestrian. Emerance Maschmeyer has not been able to steal games for PWHL Ottawa. In a twist, Kristen Campbell, who a month ago looked like she'd lost her spot on the roster to Corinne Schroeder, has stepped up as arguably Canada's best netminder in the PWHL. At this point, it was interested to see the team bring back the same trio given the play of Schroeder, and even Elaine Chuli's ability to step in for Desbiens and work alongside her in Montreal. There will be a lot of pressure on Canada's trio. It would not be surprising to see Campbell take over the backup role this time around.

USA certainly has question marks as well. Will this be Hilary Knight's final tournament? With the PWHL tested Canadians outmuscle USA's collegiate group? Who will start in net? How will the loss of Lee Stecklein, Amanda Kessel, and Abby Roque impact the roster? They're all worthy to note, but USA is fast, they're physical, and they are skilled. There's no denying the pro star power of Taylor Heise and Megan Keller will be crucial. There's also no denying that the bulk of the attack could come from NCAA players like Hannah Bilka, Kirsten Simms, Abbey Murphy, Tessa Janecke, Caroline Harvey, and Cayla Barnes. Canada has veteran savvy, and some of their pros like Natalie Spooner have shown they still have game breaking abilities, but there's a reckless abandon and energy among USA's roster that is difficult to duplicate, and even harder to defend.