Hockey Canada Names 46 Players To National Team Selection Camp

Hockey Canada named 46 players to their Fall National Team Selection Camp that begins next week in Thorold, Ontario.

Hockey Canada will bring together 46 players to help build the 2023-2024 national team, beginning next week in Thorold, Ontario.

Among those invited were the nine Canadian players signed during PWHL free agency including Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Renee Desbiens, and Laura Stacey in Montreal, Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and Emerance Maschmayer in Ottawa, Blayre Turnbull, Sarah Nurse, and Renata Fast in Toronto, and Micah Zandee-Hart in New York.

"We are excited to unveil the 46 athletes who have earned invitations to our September camp in Thorold, and to hit the ice and begin preparations for the new season ahead,” said now former Canadian national team GM Gina Kingsbury, who was recently hired by the PWHL's Toronto franchise. “This a highly skilled group that combines veteran leadership with young talent, and we believe this group will push each other and provide us with the best opportunity to be successful in international competition throughout the year.”

Also invited were 18 PWHPA players unsigned in free agency, several of whom played for Canada at the most recent World Championships including defenders Ella Shelton, Claire Thompson, Jocelyne Larocque, Erin Ambrose, Jamie Bourbonnais, Jessie Eldridge, Emma Maltais, Kristen O'Neill, Jamie Lee Rattray, Kristen Campbell, and Natalie Spooner. 

No players from Canada's 2022-2023 Rivalry Series rosters were omitted from this camp, however Canada significantly trimmed their roster from the Summer Showcase.

Several players who were destined for the PHF this season were also invited including PHF veterans Loren Gabel, Elizabeth Giguere, and Corinne Schroeder, as well as players who were signed this offseason by PHF teams Sophie Shirley, Gabrielle David, and Lexie Adzija.

Several former national team members were also invited including Ashton Bell, Victoria Bach, Sarah Potomak, and Jill Saulnier, who are all expected to be in the new PWHL this year. Other PWHPA members including Alexa Vasko and Rebecca Leslie were also invited.

Last year's Patty Kazmaier winner as the NCAA's top player, Sophie Jacques was also invited.

Current USports and NCAA players, including Team Canada veterans Sarah Fillier and Danielle Serdachny will participate, as will other college players including Jennifer Gardiner (Ohio State), Julia Gosling (St. Lawrence), Maggie Connors (Princeton), Anne Cherkowski (Clarkson), Sara Swiderski (Clarkson), Stephanie Markowski (Oho State), Rylind MacKinnon (British Columbia), Nicole Gosling (Clarkson), Megan Carter (Northeastern), and Colgate netminding duo Hannah Murphy and Kayle Osborne.

The camp will culminate with a Red versus White game on September 15.