Claire Thompson discusses her return to the PWHL, medical school, the uncertainty, and her future goals in Minnesota. The puck drops on Canada's national team selection camp tomorrow in Thorold, Ontario. 48 players are headed to the September camp [https://thehockeynews.com/womens/international/hockey-canada-announces-48-players-chosen-for-national-team-selection-camp] with 41 of those players coming from the PWHL. Canada's roster appears set after winning gold in April at the 2024 World Championships, but Team Canada brass will look for any way to improve, including an opportunity to infuse youth. Here's a look at five players to watch at Canada's national selection camp this week. KRISTEN CAMPBELL, PWHL TORONTO Last year, Campbell had a September camp to forget. She was one of several players, including Sophie Jaques, who carried their struggles through camp and into the PWHL season. Campbell, however, turned things around quickly, and settled into a spectacular season with PWHL Toronto, eventually being named the PWHL's Goaltender of the Year. By April, some were surprised Campbell hadn't overtaken Emerance Maschmeyer was Canada's backup. While it would seem that Ann-Renee Desbiens and Maschmeyer retain a lock, Canada certainly recognizes their era moving into its twilight, and netminders including Campbell, Corinne Schroeder, and Kayle Osborne pushing for chances. EMMALEE PAIS, COLGATE The 5-foot-9 Colgate standout was Canada's best forward at the National Development Team series this summer against USA. It was obvious she was a step ahead of much of Canada's development roster, and finding herself among only seven players at camp not headed to the PWHL shows Canada agrees. Along with Jocelyn Amos, there's a chance one of these young players pushes one of Canada's checking line players out of a job. Whether it is this year or next, Pais looks like the closest forward outside of the PWHL to Canada's lineup. She's returning to Colgate this season for her second NCAA campaign. DARYL WATTS, PWHL TORONTO One of the most skilled players of the past several seasons not to play for Team Canada, Watts sees the ice steps ahead of many and can bring fans from their seats. She made the move from Ottawa to Toronto in the PWHL this season to play under Canada head coach Troy Ryan and general manager Gina Kingsbury. In negotiations, it was the question Watts' team was asking PWHL clubs, seeking to know how they would help her make Team Canada. That fight begins now, and although Watts was brought in by Toronto, it doesn't mean her spot with Canada is guaranteed. In particular, Watts will need to show she can play anywhere in the lineup, not only as a top six scorer. Ryan and Kingsbury have shown they place immense value on two-way contributors. CLAIRE THOMPSON, PWHL MINNESOTA It's a welcome back moment for Claire Thompson, who hasn't played for Canada since the gold medal game at the 2023 World Championships that ended in silver for Canada, a game in which a delay of game call against Thompson proved a turning point. Thompson will look to reclaim her spot on Canada's blueline, which would likely mean pushing one of Jaime Bourbonnais, Ashton Bell, or Nicole Gosling out of a spot. She'll play key minutes for Minnesota this year and could find herself back in the mix in time for the first stops on the Rivalry Series. CHLOE PRIMERANO, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Alongside Caitlin Kraemer, Primerano is one of two NCAA rookies heading to camp, and two record setting teens at that. Primerano is the youngest player to find her way into Canada's camp in years, and should she make Canada's 2025 World Championship roster, she'd be the youngest defender in Team Canada history to perform at a World Championship or Olympic Games. She's an elite skater and puckhandler who sees that game steps ahead. At last year's September camp, Canada's brass spoke openly about their desire to get Primerano into camp, and now she's here. She's 19-years younger than veteran Team Canada defender Jocelyne Larocque. She'll be a player everyone in attendance is excited to see.
