SASKATOON, Sask. – Hockey Canada has announced the addition of Victoria Bach (Milton, Ont./Markham, CWHL) to Team Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Cup, Nov. 6-10 in Saskatoon.

Bach was one of 59 players invited to participate in Canada’s National Women’s Team Fall Festival in Dawson Creek, B.C., in September. The camp was the first step in the evaluation and development of players for the 4 Nations Cup and other short-term international competitions this season.

Bach was selected third overall by Markham in the 2018 Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) Draft. In her rookie campaign with the Thunder, she is tied for third in team scoring with four points, including three goals, in six games. Bach is a three-time medallist with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team at the Nations Cup, winning gold twice (2015, 2016) and adding a silver medal in 2017. Bach also won a gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2014 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship.

Canada will travel to Prince Albert, Sask., to play its lone pre-tournament game on Nov. 4 against Finland. It opens preliminary-round play Nov. 6 against Sweden, and will also face the United States (Nov. 7), and Finland (Nov. 9) at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

The bronze- and gold-medal games will be played Saturday, Nov. 10; the full schedule can be found at HockeyCanada.ca. Full-event ticket packages, as well as day passes beginning at $30, can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won gold on 14 occasions (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014) and brought home a silver medal eight times (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter or Twitter.com/HC_Women.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada unveiled the 23 players (three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards) who will be aiming to capture Canada’s first 4 Nations Cup gold medal in four years when the event hits Canadian ice Nov. 6-10 in Saskatoon, Sask.

The roster was chosen from the 59 players invited to attend Canada’s National Women’s Team Fall Festival, Sept. 8-16 in Dawson Creek, B.C. The identification camp featured two squads participating in fitness testing, off-ice workouts, and a series of games as the national team program’s initial step in evaluating and developing players ahead of the 4 Nations Cup and other short-term international competitions during the 2018-19 season.

“This will be a good test for our players and program as we enter into a new four-year cycle leading into the next Olympics,” said Gina Kingsbury, Hockey Canada’s director of women’s national teams. “We have a committed and determined group of players looking to establish themselves as the top hockey nation among the best nations in the world. The 4 Nations Cup in Saskatoon will be an important measuring stick for us this season and leading into the IIHF Women’s World Championship next April.”

Canada’s roster for the 2018 4 Nations Cup includes:

• Fourteen players who won a silver medal with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea (Clark, Daoust, Fast, Fortino, Jenner, Johnston, Larocque, Nurse, Poulin, Saulnier, Spooner, Stacey, Szabados, Turnbull);
• Seventeen players who won a silver medal at the 2017 4 Nations Cup in Tampa, Fla. (Clark, Daoust, Fast, Fortino, Jenner, Johnston, Krzyzaniak, Larocque, Nurse, Potomak, Poulin, Saulnier, Spooner, Stacey, Szabados, Turnbull, Zandee-Hart);
• Nine players who won a gold medal at the 2014 4 Nations Cup in Kamloops, B.C. (Clark, Fortino, Jenner, Johnston, Krzyzaniak, Larocque, Saulnier, Spooner, Turnbull); and
• Five players who will compete in their first 4 Nations Cup (Bourbonnais, Fillier, Gabel, Gosling, Tiley).

 

Canada will play a pre-tournament game on Nov. 4 against Finland in Prince Albert, Sask., before preliminary-round play against Sweden (Nov. 6), the United States (Nov. 7), and Finland (Nov. 9) at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. The bronze- and gold-medal games will be played Saturday, Nov. 10; the full schedule can be found at HockeyCanada.ca. Full event ticket packages, as well as day passes beginning at $30, can be purchase at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Hockey Canada also announced that Perry Pearn (Stettler, Alta.) will serve as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 4 Nations Cup. Pearn will be joined by assistant coaches Doug Derraugh (Arnprior, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC), Hockey Canada alumna and four-time Olympic gold-medallist, Caroline Ouellette (Montreal/Concordia University, RSEQ), who announced her retirement as a player in September, and Troy Ryan (Spryfield, N.S.). Pasco Valana (Delta, B.C./University of B.C., CW) will serve as the team’s goaltending consultant.

At the conclusion of the 4 Nations Cup, Kingsbury, in consultation with head scout Melody Davidson (Oyen, Alta.), will continue to evaluate players through their club teams ahead of the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship, April 4-14, in Espoo, Finland.

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won gold 14 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014) and brought home a silver medal eight times (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter or Twitter.com/HC_Women.

SASKATOON, Sask. – As Saskatoon prepares to welcome the top women’s hockey nations for the 4 Nations Cup Nov. 6-10, local organizers are looking for volunteers to help deliver the world-class event being hosted at the SaskTel Centre. 

The 4 Nations Cup brings together the world’s leading nations in women’s hockey – Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland – for five days of high-paced, international competition. The City of Bridges will host national team players and staff from the four participating countries, and organizers are now accepting online applications for the many volunteer roles needed to support the event – from transportation, to team and media services, and fan experience. 

“The 4 Nations Cup is an outstanding showcase of international women’s hockey, and we are proud to be one of only six Canadian cities to have hosted this event,” said E.J. Babey, chair of the 2018 4 Nations Cup host organizing committee. “It takes a lot of volunteer time and commitment to make an event like this a success, but I know that Saskatoon is filled with passionate hockey fans who will step up to ensure this is an unforgettable experience for the teams and fans alike.”

Saskatchewan has produced tremendous female hockey talent that has represented Canada on the world stage – and at previous 4 Nations Cup events specifically – including Dana Antal, Kelly Bechard, Hayley Wickenheiser, Colleen Sostorics, and Saskatoon’s own Emily Clark.

“The Saskatchewan Hockey Association is extremely excited to see the 2018 4 Nations Cup come to Saskatoon in November. It is a great opportunity to promote female hockey and the SHA is currently undergoing a lot of extremely positive change to the structure of female hockey in the province in support of its terrific growth,” said Kelly McClintock, general manager of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. “The 4 Nations Cup will provide young girls in our province with a glimpse of who the best female players in the world are, who they can emulate their game after and who can be their new role model.”

“Playing on home ice is a special opportunity for any player,” said Gina Kingsbury, Hockey Canada’s director of national women’s teams. “The fan support brings another level of play to your game, and it’s a feeling that as a player you just can’t describe. Saskatoon is a hockey city, and we’re looking forward to being there in November.”

The 4 Nations Cup has only been hosted in Canada seven other times in its nearly 25-year history, and provides a unique opportunity for fans to see these elite athletes over a five-day, eight-game schedule. Full event ticket packages, as well as day passes beginning at $30, can be purchase at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Women.

JÄRVENPÄÄ, Finland – Canada’s National Women’s Team finished with its seventh silver medal at the 4 Nations Cup after a 5-3 loss to the United States in the gold-medal game Saturday night.

Marie-Philip Poulin (Beauceville, Que./Montreal, CWHL) opened the scoring for Canada just under four minutes into the first period and added another late in the third. Laura Stacey (Kleinburg, Ont./Brampton, CWHL) briefly brought Canada even six minutes into the final frame, but the Americans added three goals in five minutes to provide the difference. Between the pipes, Emerance Maschmeyer (Bruderheim, Alta./Calgary, CWHL) turned away 21 of 26 shots on goal.

“I think we learned a lot as a group this week; we had a lot of new girls come in but as a group we played well. What we really need to learn coming away from this is playing a full 60-minute game and being consistent,” said alternate captain Laura Fortino (Hamilton, Ont./Brampton, CWHL). “We need to really buy into the systems and trust in those, especially playing against the United States, because every shift counts and we need to bring that work ethic and commitment every single time.”

Canada finished the tournament with a 3-1 record after defeating Finland, Sweden and the United States in the preliminary round.

“Our team, especially yesterday, was able to show that they could play as a unit with a lot of poise and a lot of structure and I think that is really going to be beneficial as we move forward to help us be successful,” said head coach Laura Schuler (Scarborough, Ont./Dartmouth College, ECAC). “Obviously today we weren't able to maintain that for 60 minutes and that will be our goal going forward against the U.S."

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won the gold medal a total of 14 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), and earned silver on seven occasions (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter.com/HC_Women.

SUNDSVALL, Sweden – Canada’s National Women’s Team claimed its sixth silver medal at the 4 Nations Cup, falling 3-2 in overtime to the United States on Sunday afternoon.

Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont../Toronto, CWHL) opened up scoring for Canada just over a minute into the second, while Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.) added Canada’s final goal at 14:15 in the second frame. Emerance Maschmeyer (Bruderheim,Alta./Harvard University, ECAC) turned away 30-of-33 of the Americans’ shots on net.

“We brought a lot of young players to this tournament and we got a really good look at where they are at in their development and where we’re at as a program,” said head coach Laura Schuler. “Most importantly we really grew as a team, we challenged the team with a lot of different tasks and they really stepped up to the occasion and did what we were asking them to do. I was really happy with our play and I thought today that we created a lot of scoring chances and unfortunately we just didn’t capitalize enough.”

The Canadians have claimed six silver medals (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015) and have appeared in each of the 20 gold-medal games at the tournament, winning 14 gold medals.

Canada’s National Women’s Team finished in second place during the preliminary round, defeating Finland 3-1 on Wednesday, falling to the United States 3-0 on Thursday, and besting Sweden 3-1 on Saturday.

In Sunday morning’s bronze medal game, Finland beat Sweden 3-2 in overtime.

Canada comes together next at the upcoming 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Kamloops, B.C. March 28-April 4, 2016.

TEAM CANADA RETURN FLIGHT ITINERARY INFORMATION – Please note that due to the Independent Flight Attendant’s Organization (UFO) strike action all Lufthansa flights for Canada’s National Women’s Team flights are currently delayed and the strike will impact the team’s final destination arrival times. Please contact Morgan Bell directly for arrival information on specific players as currently it is unavailable.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

SUNDSVALL, Sweden – Forward Marie-Philip Poulin, will captain Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 4 Nations Cup from Nov. 4-8 in Sundsvall, Sweden.

The 24-year-old from Beauceville, Que., captained Canada at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Malmö, Sweden and is a two-time Olympic gold medallist (2010, 2014). Poulin currently plays with the CWHL’s Montreal Canadiennes and previously won gold at the 4 Nations Cup in 2009 and 2010.

“It’s an honour [to be named captain], every time you come here for Team Canada and you wear that jersey, it’s a proud moment,” said Poulin. “To see the great group of girls and the talent we have, it’s quite awesome.”

The leadership team also includes Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.), Natalie Spooner (Scarborough, Ont./Toronto, CWHL) and Lauriane Rougeau (Beaconsfield, Que./Montreal, CWHL) who will serve as alternate captains.

As defending champion, Canada opens the tournament against Finland on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET), and also faces the United States (Nov. 5) and Sweden (Nov. 7) in preliminary action. Both the bronze- and gold-medal games will be played on Nov. 8. A complete tournament schedule can be found here.  Live game stats and webcasts of all games from Sundsvall and Kovland can be found here.

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won the gold medal a total of 14 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), and earned silver on five occasions (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012).

Note to media: Morgan Bell, Hockey Canada’s media relations coordinator, will be on-site at the 4 Nations Cup with Canada’s National Women’s Team. For all interview requests, please email her at [email protected].

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

CALGARY, Alta. – Forward Blayre Turnbull, will be joining Canada’s National Women’s Team at the upcoming 4 Nations Cup from Nov. 4-8 in Sundsvall, Sweden.

The 22-year-old from Stellarton, N.S., won a gold medal at the 2014 4 Nations Cup in Kamloops, B.C., and replaces injured Rebecca Johnston (Sudbury, Ont./Calgary, CWHL). Turnbull currently plays with the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL.

With the addition of Turnbull, Canada’s roster will feature 14 returning gold medallists from its thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States at the 2014 4 Nations Cup.

For the 20^th time, the 4 Nations Cup will bring together four top women’s hockey countries in the world – Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. Canada plays an exhibition game against Sweden on Nov. 1 and opens the tournament against Finland on Nov. 4, and also faces the United States (Nov. 5) and Sweden (Nov. 7) in preliminary action. Both the bronze and gold-medal games will be played on Nov. 8. A complete tournament schedule can be found here.  Live game stats and webcasts of all game from Sundsvall and Kovland can be found here.

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won the gold medal a total of 14 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), and earned silver on five occasions (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012).

Note to media: Morgan Bell, Hockey Canada’s media relations coordinator, will be on-site at the 4 Nations Cup with Canada’s National Women’s Team. For all interview requests, please email her at [email protected].

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

CALGARY, Alta. – A mix of veterans and youth will represent Canada at the upcoming 2015 4 Nations Cup, taking place Nov. 4-8 at the Sundsvall Energi Arena in Sundsvall, Sweden.

The 22 players selected to Canada’s roster include two goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards and was chosen following Canada’s National Women’s Team Fall Festival from Sept. 13-20 in Calgary.

Canada’s roster will feature 13 returning gold medallists from its thrilling 3-2 victory over the United States at the 2014 4 Nations Cup in Kamloops B.C., along with five new faces to Canada’s National Women’s Team.

For the 20^th time, the 4 Nations Cup will bring together four top women’s hockey countries in the world – Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. Canada plays an exhibition game against Sweden on Nov. 1 and opens the tournament against Finland on Nov. 4, and also faces the United States (Nov. 5) and Sweden (Nov. 7) in preliminary action. Both the bronze and gold-medal games will be played on Nov. 8. A complete tournament schedule can be found here. 

“We’re excited about the group chosen to represent Canada, and we’re looking forward to getting on the ice in Sweden for the first time together as a team this season,” said Laura Schuler, head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team. “Our players have been working extremely hard, and this event is a fantastic opportunity for them to unite on the international stage as they aim to defend Canada’s gold medal.”

Canada’s National Women’s Team roster for the 2015 4 Nations Cup includes:

• Seven players who won a gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia (Agosta, Fortino, Johnston, Poulin, Rougeau, Spooner, Wakefield);

• 15 players who won silver with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Malmö, Sweden (Birchard, Bram, Campbell, Clark, Davis, Fortino, Johnston, Krzyzaniak, Lacquette, Maschmeyer, Rougeau, Poulin, Saulnier, Spooner, Wakefield);

• 13 players who won a gold medal with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2014 4 Nations Cup in Kamloops, B.C. (Bram, Birchard, Campbell, Clark, Fortino, Howe, Johnston, Krzyzaniak, Maschmeyer, Rougeau, Saulnier, Spooner, Wakefield);

• Seven players who were a part of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for a three-game series against the United States in August in Lake Placid, N.Y. (Clark, Fast, Krzyzaniak, Lefort, Maschmeyer, Nurse, Potomak);

• Five players who will make their debut with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2015 4 Nations Cup (Edney, Fast, Lefort, Nurse, Potomak)

In addition, the 2015 4 Nations Cup will serve as an evaluation opportunity for Canada’s National Women’s Team coaching staff and Hockey Canada scouts, led by Melody Davidson, general manager of national women’s team programs, for the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Kamloops, B.C., and in the long term for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Players will continue to be evaluated with their club teams during the 2015-16 season, leading up to the world championship next April.

Since the debut of the 4 Nations Cup in 1996, Canada’s National Women’s Team has won the gold medal a total of 14 times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), and earned silver on five occasions (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012).

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Canada’s National Women’s Team has won the gold medal at the 2014 4 Nations Cup, beating the United States 3-2 in shootout in Saturday’s gold medal game at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops.

It is the 14th time Canada has won the gold medal at the 4 Nations Cup (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014). The Canadians have appeared in each of the 19 gold medal games at the tournament; in addition to 14 gold medals, they also have five silver medals (1997, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012).

Jennifer Wakefield (Pickering, Ont./IK Guts, SWE) scored twice in regulation time for the Canadians, opening the scoring in the first period and bringing Canada even late in the second after the Americans had taken the lead. After a scoreless third period and 20-minute overtime, Brianne Jenner (Oakville, Ont./Cornell University, ECAC) scored the lone goal of the shootout to give Canada the win, and the gold medal.

Geneviève Lacasse (Kingston, Ont./Boston, CWHL) made 33 saves in regulation and overtime, including 10 in the extra period, and stopped all three U.S. shooters she faced in the shootout. She was named Player of the Game.

The game drew 5,816 fans to the Interior Savings Centre, setting an attendance record for a 4 Nations Cup gold medal game.

Canada’s National Women’s Team finished in first place during the preliminary round, defeating Sweden 2-0 on Tuesday, the United States 3-2 on Wednesday, and Finland 3-1 on Friday. The United States finished second, while Finland was third and Sweden settled for fourth place.

In Saturday afternoon’s bronze medal game, Sweden beat Finland 2-1 in overtime.

The 2014 4 Nations Cup is the first of two major hockey events in Canada’s Tournament Capital, as Kamloops will be hosting the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship in April 2016. Full-tournament ticket packages are now available at www.hockeycanada.ca/2016kamloops.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Francis Dupont, Hockey Canada’s manager of communications, is handling all interview requests for Canada’s National Women’s Team and can be reached at [email protected].

TEAM CANADA RETURN FLIGHT ITINERARY INFORMATION – SUNDAY, NOV. 9

See below for specific flight itineraries for Canada’s players. Information is listed alphabetically by FINAL destination. Arrival times are all LOCAL TIMES. Flight information may change without notice.

Boston, Mass. / AC7388 / 7:45 p.m.
Lacasse, Maschmeyer, Watchorn

Brandon, Man. / WJ3242 / 12:44 p.m.
Gylywoychuk

Calgary, Alta. / WJ3242 / 8:44 a.m.
Jenner

Calgary, Alta. / AC8426 / 4:27 p.m.
Davidson, Irwin

Calgary, Alta. / WJ3241 / 5 p.m.
Bothwell

Cincinnati, Ohio / DL3714 / 6:56 p.m.
Bram

Halifax, N.S. / AC118 / 9:46 p.m.
Saulnier

Ithaca, N.Y. / DL4084 / 11:06 p.m.
Derraugh

Madison, Wisc. / UA5212 / 10:54 p.m.
Clark, Turnbull

Minneapolis, Minn. / AC5698 / 6:14 p.m.
Terry

Montreal, Que. / AC144 / 5:48 p.m.
Rougeau

Ottawa, Ont. / AC118 / 6:17 p.m.
Ambrose

Regina, Sask. / AC8572 / 5:47 p.m.
Campbell

Stockholm, Sweden / AC9939 / 5:20 p.m. (Nov. 10)
Wakefield

Sudbury, Ont. / AC7819 / 12:02 a.m. (Nov. 10)
Johnston

Toronto, Ont. / AC1162 / 6:22 p.m.
Birchard, Fortino, Howe, Kohanchuk, Larocque, Rattray, Spooner

Winnipeg, Man. / WJ132 /12:15 p.m.
Krzyzaniak

For more information on Hockey Canada, the 2014 4 Nations Cup and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca and www.hockeycanada.ca/4nations, or follow through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.facebook.com/4nationscup, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/4nationscup and www.twitter.com/hc_women.

Erika Grahm is only 23 years old and she’s already written her life story.

Two days before the Swedish forward hit the ice at the 2014 4 Nations Cup she signed off on the final draft of her book, “From Paralyzed to an Olympian.” (It will be released in Sweden on Dec. 1.)

In the summer of 2011, Grahm was vacationing in Greece with her boyfriend, and while out for a run one afternoon felt pain in her back and glute. A few days later the tingling had spread to her hands.

Once back home in Sweden, Grahm brushed aside her discomfort as an old back injury acting up and went back to the rink.

Two weeks later – having since abandoned her practices – she could barely walk.

“I was just lying to myself,” says Grahm. “I didn’t want to tell someone because if I told someone it’s going to be true.”

By this time overwhelming headaches and exhaustion were confining her to bed up to 22 hours a day. Walking anywhere was a workout in itself, as she could only drag her feet less than a foot at a time to go anywhere. And she’d lost feeling in the right side of her face.

She would end up spending eight weeks in and out of a small hospital in northern Sweden, where a series of tests led doctors to suggest she had multiple sclerosis. It took a specialist at a larger hospital 30 minutes to disprove that diagnosis; three days later, Grahm finally had a name for what had brought her life to an abrupt halt: Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to paralysis.

She spent a week in hospital hooked up an IV unit. Once home it took another month for Grahm to feel like herself again.

“After that a journey starts,” says Grahm, who lost 15 pounds of muscle. “I was a mess but I had only one thing in my head: I will be back. I wrote in my phone the day I got out of the hospital:  here we go again. I’ll be back.”

She worked out daily with one of the national team’s coaches to rebuild her strength. With short- and long-term goals in mind, she was determined to get back on the ice.

“I was young and I felt I had many years to go in my career,” she says, “but the (2014) Olympics were a goal, because in 2010 I was the last player cut.”

Less than four weeks after leaving the hospital Grahm put her skates back on. She took her boyfriend’s hand and let him lead her around the ice.

“It felt unfamiliar and it was like I was so heavy,” she says. “It felt like my skates were under the ice.”

It took another four weeks for her to feel comfortable.

“I was frustrated because I couldn’t go, but in my head I was still the same hockey player.”

Grahm rejoined her club team, MODO Hockey, for the start of the 2013-14 season, but didn’t immediately play. The team’s coach was new to women’s hockey and had never seen Grahm play, but he’d heard what she could do.

“I was team captain before I was sick,” says Grahm. “And (my coach) told me I was (still) going to be team captain so something was familiar for me.”

Her biggest challenge wasn’t getting herself back up to speed physically. The complications, Grahm says, were in her head. She met with a mental coach once a week.

“He helped me to understand that I’m the same player, even though my body is not the same player,” she says. “I needed patience.”

Grahm not only plays for MODO, she works in the team’s office with its company sponsors. One day, having decided she wanted to know more about girls’ hockey, she emailed all the clubs in the district.

“Women’s hockey is small in Sweden,” she says. “We are only 3,000 hockey players so all girls play with boys. I did until I was 16.”

She started MODO Women’s Future, a project that has up to 60 girls, ages seven to 12, practicing together each month. Her teammates join her when they can. It’s a great opportunity not only for the younger girls to play as a team, says Grahm, but also for them to meet women who’ve gone on to compete at higher levels.

Grahm, herself, is competing against the best in the world this week at the 4 Nations Cup in Kamloops, B.C.  The player fans see on the ice this week isn’t any different than the one they saw in Newfoundland & Labrador in 2010, the last time the event was held in Canada. But the person you meet off the ice definitely is.

“I’m happier,” she says. “I appreciate everything. When I was sick, I was like, what’s happening to me? I’m so glad that I can live my life again.”