CALGARY, Alberta –Hockey Canada has announced that three-time Memorial Cup champion and 2020 World Juniors gold medalist Dale Hunter (Petrolia, ON/London, OHL)has been named head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In addition, Mark Hunter (Petrolia, ON/London, OHL) will serve as a member of the management group.

The Hunters were selected by newly appointed Program of Excellence general manager Alan Millar (Tottenham, ON) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, with input from Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON) , the organization’s director of hockey operations.

“The first order of business for myself and Scott was to find the best coach possible to lead our National Junior Team,” said Millar. “Dale’s résumé speaks for itself: three Memorial Cups, three OHL Coach of the Year awards and two international gold medals. His passion for this program runs deep, and we feel he is the best candidate to lead us to a gold medal in Minnesota.”

In his role on the management group, Mark will assist Millar, Salmond and Roy with all hockey operations-related matters, including supporting the player evaluation and selection process.

“Mark led Canada to a World Juniors gold medal in 2020 and has built one of the premier franchises in the Canadian Hockey League, with unparalleled on-ice success and player advancement,” said Salmond. “Alan and Mark provide a stable backbone for our National Junior Team and I’m confident they will build a staff and roster that Canadians can be proud of come December.”

Dale Hunter began his coaching career with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2001 and has held that role for the last 24 seasons, save for 60 games as head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2011-12. Under Hunter, the Knights have won five OHL championships (2005, 2013, 2016, 2024, 2025) and three Memorial Cup championships (2005, 2016, 2025). Hunter has also been named OHL Coach of the Year three times (2003-04, 2004-05, 2009-10) and earned the CHL’s Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award in 2003-04. In addition to his 2020 World Juniors gold, he coached Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team to a gold medal at the 2014 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Hunter played 1,409 NHL games with the Capitals, Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche from 1980-99, recording 1,020 points (323-697—1020). He ranks second in NHL history with 3,565 penalty minutes and is the only player to record over 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes.

Mark Hunter has served in various roles for the franchise over the last 25 years, including owner (2000-25), vice-president of hockey operations (2000-25), general manager (2000-14, 2018-25) and head coach (2011-12). In that span, the Knights have captured six OHL championships (2005, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2024, 2025) and three Memorial Cup championships (2005, 2016, 2025). In 2014, Hunter was named director of player personnel with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a position he held for one season (2014-15) before he was promoted to assistant general manager (2015-18). Hunter played 12 NHL seasons (1981-93) with stops in Montreal, St. Louis, Calgary, Hartford and Washington, winning a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989. Upon his retirement, he spent four seasons (1995-97, 1998-2000) as head coach of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting and one season (1997-98) as head coach of the St. John’s Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Hockey Canada will announce the remainder of the National Junior Team coaching and support staffs in the coming weeks along with additions to the Program of Excellence management group, as well as the coaching staffs, support staffs and rosters for the under-17 and under-18 programs.

Canada’s National Junior Team will begin preparations for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at the World Junior Summer Showcase, July 27-Aug. 2 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, joining Finland, Sweden and the United States.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Junior Team please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook , X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that player registration in Canada has grown for a fourth-consecutive season, with over 603,000 players registered in sanctioned programs for the 2024-25 season.

It was also a record-setting season for women’s and girls’ hockey in Canada, as the more than 115,000 players registered marked the highest number of participants in Canadian history.

“This is such an exciting time for hockey in Canada, and we are very encouraged that the number of Canadians registering to play, coach and officiate our National Winter Sport is consistently growing each season,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “Thank you to our Members, partners and volunteers across the country for your tremendous contributions to grow the game, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve a healthier hockey for all Canadians.”

In the 2024-25 season, there was player growth with 12 of Hockey Canada’s 13 Members, an overall 2.4% increase in participants and a 3.7% growth of players who identify as Black, Indigenous or Persons of Colour.

The average retention rate for players aged five to 16 surpassed 90%, which is the highest it has been since the 2010-11 season, and over 70,000 new players registered to play hockey across the country.

Since 2022, Hockey Canada has experienced a 30% growth in women and girls playing the game, and 12% with men and boys.

Full player, coach and official registration data, including a detailed breakdown by Member and Age Division, will be shared as part of Hockey Canada’s Annual Report in the fall.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

After another successful NHL Draft, one thing remains clear – no country develops hockey players quite like Canada.

In total, more than one-third of the players who had their names called in Los Angeles – 85 of 224 – hail from north of the 49th parallel.

The list features representation from 10 Members, and 27 who have worn the Maple Leaf in international competition.

The red-and-white run started from the very top, with Matthew Schaefer going No. 1 to the New York Islanders – the first of 19 first-round selections (the most since 2020). The Hamilton, Ontario, native already has a trophy case to be envious of – he has won gold at the Canada Winter Games (scoring the overtime winner in the gold medal game), World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18 World Championship and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, serving as captain at the first, second and last of those triumphs.

He also cracked the Canadian lineup for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a goal and an assist in two games before a broken collarbone prematurely ended his tournament.

Michael Misa followed quickly behind Schaefer, going second overall to the San Jose Sharks; the Mississauga product owns gold from the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and silver from the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, earning both medals as an underager. Misa, who was granted exceptional status to play in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in 2022-23, led all CHL scorers this season with 134 points (62-72—134) in 65 games with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

In all, Canadians were four of the first five picks (for the first time since 2014), seven of the first 10 (for the second year in a row) and 15 of the first 20 (for the first time since 1994).

The list of first-rounders included a number of 2024-25 gold medallists: five from the 2025 U18 Men’s Worlds (Cootes, Kindel, Martin, Nesbitt, Smith) and nine from the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Cootes, Desnoyers, Kindel, Martin, O’Brien, Reid, Reschny, Schaefer, Smith).

The CHL was well represented among the Canadian contingent; 79 of the 85 players selected were products of CHL programs, from 42 different teams – led by four each from the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads and Kitchener Rangers. The Ontario Hockey League led the way with 35 picks, followed by the Western Hockey League with 27 and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with 17.

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY MEMBER

Ontario Hockey Federation (32) – Kashawn Aitcheson, Lirim Amidovski, David Bedkowski, Trenten Bennett, Jordan Charron, Gabe Chiarot, Ethan Czata, Francesco Dell’Elce, Kieran Dervin, Rylan Fellinger, Owen Griffin, Matthew Hlacar, Tyler Hopkins, Jack Ivankovic, Aidan Lane, Jimmy Lombardi, Andrew McNiel, Brady Martin, Porter Martone, Marco Mignosa, Michael Misa, Shamar Moses, Jack Nesbitt, Jake O’Brien, Charlie Pacquette, Evan Passmore, Noah Read, Cameron Reid, Luca Romano, Matthew Schaefer, Grant Spada, Malcolm Spence

Hockey Quebec (15) – Anthony Allain-Samaké, Lucas Beckman, Justin Carbonneau, Alexis Cournoyer, Gabriel D’Aigle, Caleb Desnoyers, Émile Guité, Alex Huang, Noah Laberge, Jérémy Loranger, Alexis Mathieu, Samuel Meloche, Mateo Nobert, Nathan Quinn, Bill Zonnon

Hockey Alberta (12) – Nathan Behm, Braeden Cootes, Ashton Cumby, Kale Dach, Aiden Foster, Max Heise, Justin Kipkie, Carter Klippenstein, Ryan Miller, Bryce Pickford, Jackson Smith, Luke Vlooswyk

BC Hockey (7) – Shea Busch, Ben Kindel, Tommy Lafrenière, Lynden Lakovic, Joshua Ravensbergen, Cameron Schmidt, Will Sharpe

Hockey Manitoba (7) – Carter Bear, Matthew Gard, Burke Hood, Peyton Kettles, Owen Martin, Hayden Papaneukis, Brady Turko

Hockey Eastern Ontario (5) – Quinn Beauchesne, Jacob Cloutier, Parker Holmes, Harry Nansi, Grayden Robertson-Palmer

Hockey Nova Scotia (2) – Cole Chandler, Brady Peddle

Hockey P.E.I. (2) – Will Murphy, Dawson Sharkey

Hockey Saskatchewan (2) – Roger McQueen, Cole Reschny

Hockey New Brunswick (1) – Will Reynolds

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

2025 National Men’s Team – Porter Martone

2025 National Junior Team – Jack Ivankovic, Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer

2025 National Men’s Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Quinn Beauchesne, Lucas Beckman, Braeden Cootes, Matthew Gard, Burke Hood, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Ben Kindel, Brady Martin, Jack Nesbitt, Cole Reschny, Cameron Schmidt, Jackson Smith

2024 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Quinn Beauchesne, Lucas Beckman, Braeden Cootes, Ethan Czata, Caleb Desnoyers, Émile Guité, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Peyton Kettles, Ben Kindel, Brady Martin, Jake O’Brien, Cameron Reid, Cole Reschny, Matthew Schaefer, Cameron Schmidt,Jackson Smith

2024 National Men’s Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Kashawn Aitcheson, Caleb Desnoyers, Jack Ivankovic, Porter Martone, Matthew Schaefer

2023 National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team (gold medal) – Gabriel D’Aigle, Porter Martone, Michael Misa, Roger McQueen, Malcolm Spence

2023 National Men’s Under-18 Team (bronze medal) – Gabriel D’Aigle

2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Red) – Quinn Beauchesne, Braeden Cootes, Peyton Kettles, Brady Martin, Jake O’Brien, Cole Reschny, Luca Romano, Jackson Smith

2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada White-gold medal) – Cole Chandler, Ethan Czata, Caleb Desnoyers, Owen Griffin, Émile Guité, Tyler Hopkins, Alex Huang, Jack Ivankovic, Jack Nesbitt, Mateo Nobert, Cameron Reid, Matthew Schaefer, Cameron Schmidt, Will Sharpe

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Black) – Lynden Lakovic, Malcolm Spence

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada Red-silver medal) – David Bedkowski, Gabriel D’Aigle, Porter Martone, Michael Misa

2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Canada White) – Justin Carbonneau, Roger McQueen, Bill Zonnon

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Stanley Cup champion Misha Donskov (London, ON) has joined the organization as vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national teams coach, effective immediately.

Reporting to Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Donskov brings National Hockey League (NHL) experience as an executive and coach to the organization and will be responsible for implementing the vision and strategies for Hockey Canada’s men’s, women’s and para hockey teams, and strengthen the alignment between the organization’s hockey operations and business operations staffs.

Donskov will also serve as head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship, as assistant coach with the Men’s Olympic Team and as associate coach with Canada’s National Junior Team.

“We are thrilled to name Misha to his role today as he will play a critical role to ensure Canada’s national teams are set up for sustained success when representing our country on the world stage,” said Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer. “Misha is a proven winner, collaborative leader and unwavering in his commitment to supporting our athletes, coaches and staff, and we know he will make Canadians proud throughout his work with Hockey Canada.

“We received a tremendous number of applications from candidates in Canada, across North America and around the world for this position and appreciate their interest in the role as part of the extensive recruitment process.”

Donskov recently completed his second season as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars after spending parts of four seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23) with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2023. Before joining the Golden Knights coaching staff, he was the team’s director of hockey operations for four seasons (2016-20). Internationally, Donskov has been part of a number of successful Canadian teams, including championships as an assistant coach at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He also won gold at two IIHF World Championships (2015, 2016) and one IIHF World Junior Championship (2015) as manager of hockey operations, analytics and video, and won the 2019 Spengler Cup as director of hockey operations and assistant coach as well as the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament as video coach.

Donskov spent five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights (2009-12) and Ottawa 67s (2012-14), highlighted by an OHL championship as London’s assistant general manager and assistant coach in 2012. In addition to his coaching and management career, Donskov has extensive experience in hockey development, including previous NHL roles with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers.

Prior to pursuing a full-time career in hockey, Donskov spent six years with Cardinal Health, a Fortune 500 global, integrated healthcare solutions company. He held roles of increasing responsibility in finance, sales, and sales management. He holds a master's degree in kinesiology with a specialization in coaching education from the University of Western Ontario.

“It is a tremendous honour to be trusted to serve as Vice President, Hockey Operations and National Men’s Teams Coach for Hockey Canada,” said Donskov. “I would like to thank the Hockey Canada Board, Katherine Henderson and Scott Salmond for this incredibly unique opportunity. Hockey Canada has played a significant role in my hockey journey and development — both personal and professional. I am excited to be returning to Hockey Canada to help support our world leading teams, programs and people. In addition, I would like to thank Tom Gaglardi, Jim Nill and Pete DeBoer for affording me the privilege to coach in the National Hockey League and be a part of the Dallas Stars family and organization.”

This is the second critical hockey operations staff announcement ahead of the 2025-26 international hockey season after Hockey Canada announced the hiring of Alan Millar (Tottenham, ON), the first full-time general manager of the Program of Excellence.

“Misha brings a coaching acumen and focus to Hockey Canada that our programs will benefit immensely from,” added Salmond. “With a full time general manager in Alan Millar and now the addition of Misha Donskov, we are in a great position as an organization moving forward.”

Additions to the Program of Excellence management group, as well as the coaching staffs, support staffs and rosters for the under-17, under-18 and under-20 programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) welcomed its newest crop of players Tuesday night in the nation’s capital, with 16 Canadians selected in the annual PWHL Draft.

The list features representation from six Members, and 11 players who have worn the Maple Leaf in international competition at some level (or all levels) of the National Women’s Program.

The run of Canadians started from the No. 4 pick, where the Victoire de Montréal selected defender Nicole Gosling, the lone player who has seen time with Canada’s National Women’s Team (and won gold at the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship).

She was the first of three first-rounders, along with fellow blue-liner Kendall Cooper (No. 6 to Minnesota) and Jenna Buglioni, who made history as the first-ever draft pick by Seattle at No. 8.

Each of the six rounds featured at least one Canadian, with three going in each of the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Seattle used three of their picks on Canadians, followed by Vancouver (two), Boston (one) and Ottawa (one). The Toronto Sceptres were the lone team not to select a Canadian.

Fourteen of the 16 draft picks are alumnae of the U18 Women’s National Championship, having represented their province or region at the tournament, and four – Tamara Giaquinto (Brampton, 2018); Maya Labad (Lanaudière, 2018); Dayle Ross (St. Albert, 2019) and Vanessa Upson (Stoney Creek, 2019) – competed at the Esso Cup, Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship.

Vancouver made history with the 48th and final choice, selecting University of B.C. product Chanreet Bassi, the first-ever South Asian draft pick.

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY MEMBER

Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (8) – Brianna Brooks, Kendall Cooper, Tamara Giaquinto, Nicole Gosling, Hannah Murphy, Vanessa Upson, Olivia Wallin, Maddi Wheeler

BC Hockey (3) – Chanreet Bassi, Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski

Hockey Alberta (2) – Dayle Ross, Sarah Wozniewicz

Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador (1) – Abby Newhook

Hockey P.E.I. (1) – Abby Hustler

Hockey Quebec (1) – Maya Labad

CANADIAN PLAYERS DRAFTED – BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

National Women’s Team (1) – Nicole Gosling

National Women’s Development Team (9) – Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski, Kendall Cooper, Nicole Gosling, Maya Labad, Hannah Murphy, Abby Newhook, Maddi Wheeler, Sarah Wozniewicz

National Women’s Under-18 Team (10) – Brianna Brooks, Jenna Buglioni, Anne Cherkowski, Kendall Cooper, Tamara Giaquinto, Nicole Gosling, Maya Labad, Olivia Wallin, Maddi Wheeler, Sarah Wozniewicz

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Alan Millar (Tottenham, ON) will serve as the first full-time general manager of the Program of Excellence.

Millar returns to Hockey Canada after spending three years as director of player personnel with the POE from 2021-24, winning two IIHF World Junior Championship gold medals (2022, 2023) and two Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medals (2022, 2023). He also won gold at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship as director of player personnel, and at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as general manager.

In his new role, Millar will serve as general manager of Canada’s National Junior Team, and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. He will also oversee the national under-17 program and ensure the long-term sustainability of the Program of Excellence.

“We are excited to have a dedicated, full-time general manager to oversee Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, and after an open and extensive search process, we are confident Alan is the right person to lead it,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “He has spent a large portion of his career working alongside Hockey Canada in various roles and has helped build several world championship-winning teams. His experience in the AHL and CHL, along with his familiarity of our staff and programs, will be extremely helpful as he begins this new role.”

Millar has spent the last two seasons (2023-25) as vice-president of hockey operations and general manager of the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Prior to his first stint with Hockey Canada, he served as general manager of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors for nine seasons (2012-21). He also had a two-year stint as director of hockey operations (2010-12) and served five seasons as general manager of the Sarnia Sting (2004-09) of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Millar also served as director of operations for Team Ontario at the 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, helping the team to a gold medal. He spent the 2003-04 season with the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael’s Majors as director of player personnel and was general manager and alternate governor of the OHL’s Guelph Storm for six seasons (1997-2003), winning an OHL championship in 1998. Millar also served as director of operations and alternate governor with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League (AHL) for four seasons (1993-97).

“I am truly honoured to return to Hockey Canada as the general manager of the Program of Excellence,” said Millar. “It is a privilege to represent Canada on the world stage, and I have been fortunate to have had a number of opportunities to do just that. I am excited to work with the leadership and staff to build on the recent successes at the U17 and U18 levels, and bring our National Junior Team back to the podium. I look forward to the challenge of evaluating the best players in the country and building teams that will compete for gold. I’d like to thank Scott Salmond, Katherine Henderson and the Hockey Canada leadership team for this special opportunity.”

Additions to the Program of Excellence management group, as well as the coaching staffs, support staffs and rosters for the under-17, under-18 and under-20 programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

As long as I can remember, I've heard and read stories of my ancestry dating back to the Red River Resistance, including a book written about my great-grandma’s family living on a reserve in Northern Manitoba. Families on my dad’s side settled in small Métis towns called St-Malo and St-Pierre-Jolys.

I’ll admit… after hearing about my ancestors’ experiences, I wasn't sure if being Indigenous was good or if it was something I should be ashamed of. In minor hockey, people used to always ask ‘Who is that little native boy on the ice?’ just because I was playing on a boys’ team and had a long braid.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, until I heard some of the things people were saying about other Indigenous people in the community, things I never thought I would hear. Although we spoke regularly in our household about our Métis heritage, it was difficult to express it outside our walls.

After that, I thought if I didn't expose myself as being Indigenous that I wouldn't get bullied or hurt. I buried it away and focused on my real passion—hockey. Every time I stepped on the ice, I wanted to be the best player so one day I could be a role model for other Indigenous athletes with similar experiences.

I lived by the motto “I work hard today to be better for tomorrow.” Carrying that with me, I was able to make the British Columbia roster as a double under-ager for the 2023 Canada Winter Games on Prince Edward Island, and was lucky enough to help Team B.C. win its first-ever gold medal!

That event was a huge moment in my journey; I believe I made a name for Indigenous athletes to show that you can play with everyone.

My journey with Team B.C. has continued for the last two seasons, winning a pair of bronze medals at the U18 Women’s National Championship, getting to serve as captain at the most recent tournament in New Brunswick and being named Top Defender.

I have also won two Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) championships with RHA Kelowna in the Female U18 Prep division, broke the record for most career assists in division history and earned CSSHL Defensive Player of the Year last season.

Oh, and I lived out a dream by getting to wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and win a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Finland. How’s that for a platform for Indigenous athletes!

Through my time with Team B.C., I learned about ISPARC (Indigenous Sports Physical Activity and Recreation Council), which leads the teams that represent the province at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) every year. In 2023, just a few months after my Canada Games experience, I made my first NAHC appearance in Winnipeg.

I returned for a second tournament in 2024 in Grande Prairie, winning a bronze medal, and earned the Premier’s regional and provincial awards for Indigenous youth excellence in sports.

I made a third trip just a few months ago on home ice in Kamloops, just a couple hours from where I grew up in Osoyoos, getting the honour of being captain again and leading Team B.C. to silver, the best finish in program history.

Those tournaments were amazing experience, both personally and culturally. I felt accepted by opponents, fans, coaches and teammates. They were so, so important in my growth as a hockey player and as an Indigenous athlete.

There’s one story from my NAHC years that will stick with me, and I want to share it. It really drives home why I want to work with the younger generation (which is funny for me to say being only 18!) to truly embrace our culture.

One of my best friends, who is Indigenous, would constantly be reminded by her teammates that she wasn't good enough to play for Team B.C. at the U18 Women’s Nationals. No one cared if she made the ISPARC Team B.C.; to them, it would never be as good as what they considered the “real Team B.C.”

I never hesitated to remind her how skilled of a player she was. It was—and still is—very hard for me to understand how her teammates could not only be so mean, but at the same time talk about Indigenous athletes and the NAHC tournament as a lower form of competition.

Hearing them say that we aren't good enough hockey players just because we were Indigenous was something that didn’t sit well for me. It made me realize that I have to fight for what's right and stop hiding in the shadows.

I am very proud to say that I am a citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) and that I live on the traditional unceded territory of the Sylix (Okanagan) Nation!

I made a decision to learn more about being Métis. The MNBC staff was welcoming and supported me in learning about my culture and other Indigenous cultures. I was honoured to be sashed by the president of the MNBC and receive two warrior sashes made for me by Métis Elders.

I was invited by the MNBC Board of Directors to speak with government representatives and talk about the mental, physical and emotional challenges that Indigenous athletes have to face. I explained how hard it is to be faced with discrimination just for being Indigenous.

Due to the negative impact, I took a 12-week course with former NHLer Aaron Volpatti to help with my mental health and confidence. He showed me that if I envision what I want to focus on and to not let outside voices get to me, I'll be able to accomplish anything.

This knowledge was very important; I learned that it's okay to speak up and to fight for what's right. I knew I didn't have to hide who I was anymore because I had a whole team of people who would back me up and pick me up if I ever got down. Being a citizen of the MNBC has allowed me to be a role model for Indigenous athletes, proving that there are no limits if you are willing to put in the work.

Alongside the highs and lows of being an Indigenous athlete, I faced another challenge that was out of my control—I have often been overlooked or underestimated because of my height. (I’m 5-foot-2, in case you’re wondering.)

No matter what I did, every mistake and every loss was because I was short. I knew my height would come with challenges, but never did I think a coach would belittle me because of it. I would be told that I cost the team the game, implying that it was because I was too short. During my NCAA recruitment, this coach would always bring up my size as a negative when speaking to other coaches, rather than focusing on my skills.

I’m short…and I can’t do anything about it! I am so lucky to have been able to work with two coaches, Venla Hovi and Kris Hogg, who really took me under their wing and didn't just look past me because of my height.

Venla—a two-time Olympian and Women’s Worlds veteran with Finland—was the first coach who gave me confidence to use my height as an advantage. She saw my potential and worked with me to be comfortable being uncomfortable. She really changed the way I played, for the better. She allowed me to see my height as a strength and as something people wouldn't be able to stop. I was so fortunate to have a strong believer like her on my side.

When I made the move from the Okanagan Hockey Academy to RHA Kelowna, Kris was the coach who encouraged me and supported my growth as a player. He always put me out there to every single college he could, never once saying I was too short to play Division I hockey. He also pushed me past my boundaries on and off the ice, which helped me to break records I wouldn't have thought possible.

It is with the support of Venla and Kris, along with coaches and trainers like Mark Fitzgerald, Jim Liebel, Tyler Liebel, Travis Martell, Derek Ruck, my dad Dean and so many more that I have been able to live my hockey dreams—representing my province, representing my Indigenous community and (the craziest of all) representing my country!

This coming season, I’m proud to have accepted a scholarship to Penn State University to continue my hockey career.

Through my journey I have realized that no matter what, you have to fight for what's right and continue to battle against the hard. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have had, and I continue to work hard today to be better for tomorrow so that I can make my dreams to represent Canada at the Olympics and play in the PWHL a reality.

My hope is that my journey and story will be an inspiration to young Indigenous athletes, showing them that any boundary is breakable with the right mindset.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that after a successful first season, the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project will expand its scope for the 2025-26 season, with an emphasis on roster composition.

Announced in July 2024, the WCDM pilot project is a joint initiative between Hockey Canada’s four Western Members, their respective Junior A hockey leagues and the Western Hockey League (WHL) that prioritizes athlete development on and off the ice through four key pillars:

• Player advancement
• Roster composition
• Standard of play and rules
• Alignment and messaging

The initial season of the pilot project introduced eight changes to junior hockey in Western Canada, including increased flexibility in the development pathway for 15- and 16-year olds, the choice to wear half-face protection for players 18 years of age or older and streamlined playing rules between Junior A leagues and the WHL.

“Throughout the WCDM pilot project, the four Western Members and six junior leagues have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to bringing forward innovative and creative solutions to enhance the delivery of hockey in Western Canada for players and their families,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “The expansion of the pilot will ensure that our system continues to evolve to meet the needs of our participants, prioritizes their safety on and off the ice and produces high-quality junior hockey throughout Western Canada for years to come.”

Next season, five additional changes will be implemented as part of the pilot:

• Western Junior A teams will be permitted to register up to five U.S.-born players at one time on their active roster, a decrease from the previous six.
• 16- and 17-year-old U.S.-born players who have been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team will be eligible to be rostered by any Western Junior A team.
• Each Western Junior A team will be eligible to roster one 16- or 17-year-old player whose parent(s) reside(s) outside of their province or region, if the player has been drafted, listed or signed by a WHL team.
  • Up to a maximum of 23 such players across all Western Junior A teams, or one player from each WHL team.
• Out-of-province players who participate in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) will be eligible to affiliate with Western Junior A teams in their school’s respective province or region.
• No more than eight players born in a province not participating in the WCDM may be registered on the active roster of a Western Junior A team.

Data from the WCDM pilot project will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the expectation that additional changes will be introduced in future seasons.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) have announced the first six men’s hockey players named to Team Canada for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The athletes are:

• Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL)
• Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL)
• Cale Makar (Calgary, AB/Colorado, NHL)
• Connor McDavid (Newmarket, ON/Edmonton, NHL)
• Brayden Point (Calgary, AB/Tampa Bay, NHL)
• Sam Reinhart (West Vancouver, BC/Florida, NHL)

The six athletes were selected by general manager Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), assistant general managers Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL), Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL) and Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL) and head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL), with input from player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, also provided support as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games next February, as these are six world-class players and leaders that are deserving of this recognition,” Armstrong said. “Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam provide a strong foundation for a successful team and have been proven winners at all levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to accomplish our goal of winning Olympic gold.”

Crosby is a two-time Olympic champion who won back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics Winter Games, while MacKinnon, Makar, McDavid, Point and Reinhart will make their Olympic debuts at Milano Cortina 2026. All six players helped Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off championship in February, while three are former first-overall picks in the NHL Draft (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid).

Sidney Crosby has played in 1,352 games over 20 seasons (2005-25) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as captain for 18 seasons and amassing 1,687 career points (625-1,062—1,687). He has also collected 201 points (71-130—201) in 180 playoff games, helping the Penguins win three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017). Over the course of his career, Crosby has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Internationally, he won gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Crosby also won gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, becoming a member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club – the first to win all three as captain - and won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

“I am honoured to be named one of the first six players for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2026 Olympics alongside Nathan, Cale, Connor, Brayden and Sam, as all five are incredible players and leaders,” Crosby said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics, as I know how much pride comes with wearing the Maple Leaf on the international stage.” 

Nathan MacKinnon recently completed his 12th season (2013-25) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he has served as an alternate captain for the past nine years. He has played in 870 career games, registering 1,015 points (367-648—1,015), and has contributed 125 points (55-70—125) in 125 career playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, and has won the Calder Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. MacKinnon has worn the Maple Leaf seven times, winning gold (2015) and silver (2017) medals at the IIHF World Championship, and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. He also suited up at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. 

Cale Makar has played in 395 career games over six seasons (2019-25) with the Avalanche, registering 428 points (116-312—428). He has also appeared in 79 career playoff games, collecting 85 points (22-63—85), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar has also won the Norris Trophy twice and the Calder Trophy, as well as the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, and suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge twice (2015, 2016), winning a gold medal in 2015.

Connor McDavid is currently in his 10th season (2015-25) with the Edmonton Oilers, leading the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances (2024, 2025) in his ninth season as captain and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024. In 712 career games, he has registered 1,082 points (361-721—1,082), and has added 150 points (44-106—150) in 95 playoff games. McDavid has registered 100 or more points in eight different seasons, helping him win the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy once. He has suited up for Canada six times, winning gold at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2016 IIHF World Championship. McDavid also played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Brayden Point has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning for his entire nine-year NHL career (2016-25), collecting 635 points (306-329—635) in 657 career games, as well as 89 points (44-45—89) in 92 playoff games. He scored 14 goals in consecutive playoff runs to help the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). Internationally, Point has won silver at the 2017 IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Sam Reinhart is currently in his fourth season with the Florida Panthers (2021-25) after spending seven years with the Buffalo Sabres (2014-21). He has registered 619 points (294-325—619) in 775 career games, as well as 52 points (28-24—52) in 75 career playoff games, helping Florida win the Stanley Cup in 2024. Reinhart has represented Canada eight times, winning gold (2016) and silver (2019) medals at the IIHF World Championship, gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, gold (2013) and bronze (2012) at the IIHF U18 World Championship and gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

Men’s hockey at Milano Cortina 2026 will take place Feb. 11-22, 2026 (Day 5-16), with games taking place at both the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena and Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena.

"In a time when Canada stands stronger and pushes for greater excellence, the men’s Olympic hockey team reminds us what is possible when we aim higher, together,” said Jennifer Heil, Team Canada's Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission. “Hockey’s legacy has always united Canadians, and these players continue to inspire our nation to pursue excellence with courage and pride.”

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are still subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced a three-year partnership with ISB Global Services (ISB) to enhance and optimize the organization’s safety and compliance processes, including through ISB’s oneBADGEsport platform.

oneBADGEsport is a comprehensive solution that will manage Hockey Canada’s screening requirements for national team athletes, coaches and staff, as well as employees and volunteers.

“Hockey Canada is excited to partner with ISB Global Services through an agreement that we believe will make our screening and compliance processes more efficient and beneficial to all participants,” said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport integrity for Hockey Canada. “We are committed to prioritizing the safety and security of our players, coaches, staff and volunteers, and oneBADGEsport will play a critical role in that moving forward.”

In addition to supporting screening requirements, oneBADGEsport will manage criminal record checks and other compliance tools, while providing real-time data to Hockey Canada.

“Hockey Canada is setting a new gold standard for safe sport in Canada, and we’re proud they’ve chosen oneBADGEsport to support that mission,” said Michael Thompson, chief commercial officer of ISB Global Services. “Our partnership shows what is possible when leaders come together to protect athletes through technology-driven oversight and advanced screening solutions.”

For more information on ISB’s oneBADGEsport, please click here.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.