One of Canada’s most decorated linespersons during her on-ice career, Vanessa Stratton has smoothly transitioned to her latest role as an officiating coach, one of just three dozen around the world.

The Toronto native’s career included 10 national championships, seven world championships, U SPORTS championships and multiple Clarkson Cup Final games in the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League. She is also the only woman on the IIHF Officiating Committee and works as the female high performance officiating lead with BC Hockey.

HockeyCanada.ca got the chance to sit down with Stratton and ask about her journey, her favourite moments and her advice for young officials just getting into the game.

HC: You transitioned from competitive figure skating to hockey when you were 13. Who inspired you to become an official?

VS: I was fortunate enough to grow up on skates. From the time we could walk, my sister and I were enrolled in figure skating. Both of us took to it and ended up competing at various levels. When we moved to Windsor, I went on the ice for a practice, got off the ice and said to my parents that I was ready to try something different and wanted to play hockey.

Switching to hockey led to my journey in officiating. A lot of my friends were getting part-time jobs at different places. My dad suggested I try officiating. It was a way to make some cash, but also make my own schedule. I enrolled in a certification course, got connected to the local association and referee-in-chief and off to the races we were.

The cool part is my dad had a bit of a vested interest. He played in the OHL and NCAA and then had a similar pathway where it was suggested he try officiating. He climbed the ranks quickly, officiating in the OHL and IHL, and did a quick stint in the NHL for exhibition games. It’s fun to really look back and see how our journeys were different streams, yet similar pathways and I give him a ton of credit for promoting officiating to me as it wasn’t something I had considered at the time.

HC: What is the most memorable game you officiated?

VS: Anything at the international level is always such a privilege, but nothing beats a Canada-U.S. game. I was afforded the opportunity to do a few. Kamloops hosted the 4 Nations Cup in 2014 and Women’s Worlds in 2016, and I was selected to do both events. I was skating the gold medal game in 2014, Canada vs. United States. It was a sold-out crowd – at the time, women’s hockey was starting to really gain some traction and it was such an electric atmosphere.

Why this one was so memorable is that it just recently created a full-circle moment. Prior to some games, we have a group of young officials come on the ice with us for opening laps and the anthems. That game we had four young officials on with us. Fast forward to when I was living out in British Columbia and took on the role with BC Hockey, I found out that two of those officials were on the ice that day with me. Years later, it made that game even more special.

HC: What is your favourite part about your role as an officiating coach?

VS: Here’s the really unique thing about both officiating and coaching – the team that you work with is very rarely the same. In both roles, you have to adapt how you work together, communicate with one another and leverage each other’s strengths in short-term competition. It’s more prominent in my role as an officiating coach and it’s something I appreciate the challenge of.

Secondly, seeing the officials you work with gain success and achieve their goals is something that is just so special. And lastly, the people really make the experience. I get to work with such a variety of people in officiating – whether it be provincially, nationally or internationally – and many of them have become lifelong friends. Gabrielle Ariano-Lortie and I went to almost every one of our international events together, we were roommates at almost all of them and skated a good chunk of games together. Now we get to be officiating coaches together and she has become one of my very good friends.

HC: What do you look for in a young official that can help them get to the next level?

VS: Of course, the technical skills – skating is at the forefront of those skills. Agility and mobility, along with strength and speed, are all part of the toolbox. Then, how do they react in a game – positioning and movement, how they implement and manage the rules in game. Communication is also key – how an official communicates with coaches, players and their own teammates is a predominant trait that is of growing importance for an official who is striving to do higher levels of hockey.

With the evolution of the sport as a whole, one of the aspects in officiating that our different leadership groups are really focusing on is looking for the “whole official.” We want the best officials and those that have potential to grow, and they need to have the technical skills and abilities, but they also need to be well-rounded people and bring the off-ice skills that are necessary to being good teammates and good humans in our group as well.

HC: We’ve seen how women’s hockey has grown in recent years; what has that meant for officials and providing more opportunities to showcase their skills?

VS: International women’s hockey is thriving. Professional women’s leagues in places such as Switzerland and Sweden are continuing to grow and provide opportunities for officials overseas. Specifically in North America, the PWHL has brought a focused energy that has not existed through the previous leagues and a true professional mentality towards women’s hockey in the two largest markets in the world.

However, there is still a gap when it comes to the opportunities, specifically for female officials. We don’t need to provide equal opportunities, but we should be equitable. And while there has been a phenomenal number of opportunities and attention on the players, coaches and administrators within the league, the unpopular opinion is that there have not been equitable opportunities for officials. And this is something I would love to challenge and urge the various stakeholders and decision-makers to change. Let’s close the gap across all facets of the game and truly become equitable and provide the opportunities to women in the entire game.

HC: In 2023, you became one of four people—and the only woman—elected to the IIHF Officiating Committee. What does it mean to be able to have an impact over the development of hockey officials around the world?

VS: Well, when you read that, it hits a bit on how impactful my role can be. The truth is, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome when I first started. First of all, I’m thankful for the opportunity and the trust – both from the IIHF and Hockey Canada, who supported the nomination. To be able to be a part of the development of hockey officials at a global level is incredible.

At the IIHF, there is currently a shift happening – how we facilitate and implement officiating across licensing and selections, developing and growing member national associations (MNAs) along with coaching and education are key facets that are evolving and changing. My role in that process and to be fortunate to put my own stamp on pieces of a change is such a unique opportunity. It’s exciting to be a part of such a large-scale change that will benefit and impact so many across the world and hopefully be in place for the foreseeable future.

HC: What advice do you have for young women who are beginning their officiating journey?

VS: I have a few pieces of advice…

- Develop a strong knowledge of the game – Never stop learning.

- Physical fitness is important – Fitness will help you perform better and boost your confidence.

- Seek out mentorship – Find experienced officials to support you and help guide your journey.

- Learn from mistakes – We all make them; it’s part of learning and growing.

- Believe in yourself – Confidence is key.

- Advocate for yourself – Speak up when necessary; it’s important to voice concerns or seek opportunities.

- Be resilient – Especially for young officials; you will encounter challenges and still see biases, so it’s essential to stay resilient and focused on your path.

- Enjoy the journey – Make sure you take the time to enjoy the ride, because it is really something special!

As a player and an official, I haven’t had what you would call a ‘traditional’ path in hockey.

My playing days didn’t begin until I was almost a teenager, and my time wearing the stripes stopped and started before I got onto the journey I find myself on today.

I guess I’ll start there. I work as a linesperson in a number of leagues in and around Quebec. This season, I’ve done games in the American Hockey League (AHL), ECHL, Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ), with U SPORTS and with Hockey Lac St-Louis, my local region.

Oh, and I serve as referee-in-chief of the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont, working with young officials.

And did I mention I’m a full-time student, finishing my degree in physical education at McGill University?

It’s a lot, but I love the game.

As I said earlier, I got into the game late. Growing up in Montreal, I watched PK Subban on TV and wanted to be just like him. I knew I wasn’t going to actually make it to the NHL, but I wanted to get on the ice and see where the game would take me. More than anything, I just wanted to have fun.

I was already an active kid. I was always outside, always playing games, but never anything too organized, outside of a couple years of soccer. In school, I lived for sports. I’d make sure I was on every single extracurricular team there was. And I’d be at school all day; from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I’d be in class. And then from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., I’d be playing sports.

Finally, when I was 12, my mom agreed to sign me up for minor hockey.

I’m pretty sure I was late for my first tryouts, so I just ended up on a random team, but I loved it. I never played too competitive, never got to AAA or anything like that, but I was just happy to be playing.

Shortly after I started playing, my dad left. So, it was just the five of us – my mom, myself and my three siblings. Money was tight. But my mom kept me in hockey. She kept all of us in the things we loved. She always put her children first, and made sure we had what we wanted.

If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Heck, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even know how to skate!

So… Mom, if you’re reading this, thank you. You are the reason I am here today. I love you.

I played minor hockey through to U18, and I thought my playing career was done at that point. Until I got a phone call from the coach at Cégep André-Laurendeau, asking if I wanted to join the college team. I was surprised, because I had never considered collegiate hockey, but I had a buddy on the team who recommended me.

It was already December, and the season was two months old, but I was on the ice the next day and quickly found myself a member of the Boomerang. That was my home for the next two years.

When that chapter was complete, I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game. I wanted to be active, wanted to be on the ice.

My coach told me he knew a guy if I ever wanted to be an official, so I thought… why not?

I did say earlier that my officiating career stopped and started. I actually got my start as an official when I was 16. But at that point, I didn’t want to work the two-man system and do U11 and U13 games. It wasn’t for me.

Fast forward four or five years, and it was a different story. The guy my coach knew was Doug Hayward, who has spent decades involved in officiating in Quebec. He’s has earned provincial and national recognition working with young officials, so when he spoke, I listened.

I decided to give it a real go this time.

It didn’t take long to realize officiating was something I was good at, and something that could be more than – as I considered it – a great way to serve the game and stay physically active. I was working AAA games my first year, and after that first year I got the call to go to the NHL Officiating Exposure Combine. Then I got hired in the QMJHL. Then I got hired in the AHL. Then I got hired in the ECHL. I was like, “Okay, this happening.”

Last season, I started to get more attention nationally and internationally. I attended the provincial Member camp in Quebec, and got an invite to the National High Performance Officiating Camp in Calgary, just about a year ago.

I’ve worked the TELUS Cup, Junior A World Challenge, Centennial Cup and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, working with some of the best officials from across the country. That kind of experience only makes me better on and off the ice.

Hockey Canada helped me get my B license with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and that led to my first-ever international assignment – the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Division 2A in Dumfries, Scotland.

That was a crazy experience. I spent the first three days just watching, because my luggage didn’t show up. I flew Montreal-Paris-Amsterdam-Edinburgh, and my connection in Paris was only 45 minutes. It’s a huge airport, so I had a feeling my luggage wasn’t making it.

But it was a really nice event. When you work IIHF events, you get to meet new people and you create friendships. We were 11 officials over there, and there are three or four that I still talk to on a regular basis. I’m excited to do more events like that in the future.

The question I get a lot is: How? How do I juggle officiating and school, along with everyday life?

I’d say it’s easier now than it was a few years ago. When I started officiating, I didn’t really know what was going on, so I’d bring my laptop to the rink. I’d show up half an hour early just to finish my work. And then when I got back home after hockey, I’d hop back on the computer and finish my assignments.

I just always have my computer when I travel. If I take a plane, which I do usually once a month, I’ll show up an hour earlier and just do some work to make sure it’s done.

Most of my teachers are understanding. There has definitely been some hockey that I have had to miss out on because I had to be in class, but for most of the part there has been a good balance.

Sleep has taken a bit of a hit, because I’ll either stay up really late or get up really early to finish some work because I know I’m travelling four or five hours for a game. The last thing I want to do when I get home at two in the morning is homework. So, I’ll sleep four or five hours, wake up early, finish my work and then submit it. I’ve made it work, and I’m almost done!

As exciting as being on the ice in some of the best leagues in the world is, there’s something special about working with the young officials with the AHM de Mont-Royal/Outremont.

There are two things I tell young officials:

Number one, you have to make sure you’re having fun. If you’re not having fun, this is not for you, and I won’t take it personally if you don’t want to officiate anymore.

Number two, everybody is human. It’s normal to make mistakes. I’m officiating at the professional level, but that doesn’t mean I don’t make a mistake. But you need to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from your mistakes to get better.

When I go to rinks to supervise, the officials get so stressed whenever they see me walk in the building. So, the first thing I do is tell them, “Let’s relax here. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to help you.”

Before I wrap up, I just wanted to reiterate that I’m extremely lucky to be in the position I’m in, and I don’t take it for granted. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been an official for four years.

But it’s all about the love of the game, as I’ve mentioned a couple times.

The official may be the “law and order” on the ice, but I really do go out there with a smile on my face and try to make friends. I don’t want to make enemies. Whenever I have an opportunity to shoot a joke, I’ll take it. I’ll see a player, I’ll make a joke and we’ll build off of that.

The next time we’re on the ice together, I’m happy to see them and hopefully they’re happy to see me too.

Just like I tell my officials … if you’re not having fun, this probably isn’t for you!

When the announcement was made that the Rivalry Series would wrap up on the East Coast this year, the brainstorming began for Ryan Francis.

“We saw that there was an opportunity to elevate voices of Indigenous hockey players and people and share their experiences in a very specific context and environment,” says Francis, the Mi’kmaw sport, recreation and physical activity corporate strategist for the Nova Scotian government.

That’s where the Indigenous Hockey Mini Summit was born. In partnership with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaw, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and the Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, the half-day summit had three segments featuring Indigenous players, including Canada’s National Women’s Team defender, Jocelyne Larocque (Métis) and a keynote speech from USA Hockey alumna, Sydney Daniels (Cree).

“For me, being a woman, being Indigenous, I think it’s important for young Indigenous girls to be able to see Indigenous women living their dream, having fun while they’re doing it and working hard,” Larocque says. “It’s important for me to share that message with all youth in the world.”

When Francis approached Larocque with the opportunity to get involved in the mini summit, she was drawn to participate right away. Not only did Larocque do a Q&A at the summit, hosted by TSN’s Kenzie Lalonde, but she also made time for a meet and greet with Hockey Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Girls Hockey Program after the Rivalry Series game in Halifax.

Kenzie Lalonde (left) interviews Jocelyne Larocque during the summit.

For Larocque, representation matters. Anytime she can give back to her community or share experiences to inspire others, she will.

“It’s very important for women playing professional hockey to have that exposure and for young girls to see us having a career playing hockey because I didn’t have that. A lot of my teammates didn’t have that,” Larocque says. “I definitely will always push towards a more inclusive, diverse and equal playing field, whether that’s hockey or anything in life.”

The summit also provided opportunities for informal conversations with speakers, like Larocque. Jordan Dawe-Ryan recalls one little girl sitting around a table eating breakfast alongside Larocque before the summit began and having a chance to ask the veteran blue-liner any questions she had.

“The girl’s happiness just shone right through the experience she had,” says Dawe-Ryan, the active living community coordinator at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. “With all the momentum that has been growing with woman’s hockey worldwide […] it’s amazing that they could sit down together, like two friends, and talk about who they are, what their goals are and their journey along the way.”

Erin Denny, who is in her fifth year playing at Saint Mary’s University, participated on the Mi’kmaw players’ panel at the summit. The 23-year-old feels she has grown into a role model and really takes pride in that role.

“As I transition out of my hockey career and more into that role, I think it’s really important to share my story and my thoughts on everything so there can be more success for Indigenous youth,” Denny says.

Sara-Lynne Knockwood (left), Erin Denny and Chad Denny during the Mi'kmaw players' panel.

Like Larocque, Denny says representation can open doors for youth, and having an Indigenous role model for Indigenous youth to look up to can make a huge difference in their lives.

“Especially as a minority group, seeing someone that is similar to you, lives a similar life and has the same struggles as you, I feel like it can make a world of a difference for youth,” Denny says. “Being in this position, I think it’s really important that I continue to share my experiences and be an outlet for youth if they have questions or want advice.”

There were additional events connected to the mini summit, such as a pizza dinner and poster-making night at the Friendship Centre before the Rivalry Series game. The Friendship Centre also provided smudging kits as the Player of the Game awards in Halifax. Despite some winter weather causing power outages in the city the morning of the summit, the event was a big success.

“It’s important to create that space, and when you do create that space and have it in an environment that people feel safe and comfortable, there can be really powerful discussions and perspectives that get brought forward that will help move conversations amongst decision-makers,” Francis says.

With such a positive response from participants, organizers are already brainstorming for another event in the future—this time expanding from a mini summit to a full, multi-day summit.

“Another one will be on the way and we’re hoping to make it even bigger and better the next time,” Dawe-Ryan says. “[We want to] provide more opportunities, provide more spaces for us to share our culture and have these safe spaces where we can interact, engage and really be our true, vulnerable selves in these spaces.”

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 20)

The game everybody wanted is the game everybody got. The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off comes to a close Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston when Canada takes on the United States in the championship game.

Last Game

Canada punched its ticket to the final with a 5-3 win over Finland in its preliminary-round finale on Monday afternoon. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon scored 46 seconds apart early in the first period, Brayden Point added a goal before the end of the opening frame and the Canadians looked to be on their way with a four-goal lead after 40 minutes, but the Finns made it interesting late, cutting the deficit to a single goal before Sidney Crosby found the empty net in the final minute.

With their place in the finale secure before the puck dropped, the Americans rested a couple of key pieces in what finished as a 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday night. Chris Kreider, the oldest player on the U.S. roster, scored just 35 seconds into his tournament debut, but that would be all the offence the home country could muster despite directing 33 shots towards Samuel Ersson.

Last Meeting

Need we remind anyone? The North American rivals clashed Saturday night in Montreal, in a prelim game that not only lived up to the pre-game hype, but surpassed it. Three fights in the opening nine seconds set an emotional tone and McDavid ignited the Bell Centre crowd with a beautiful goal less than six minutes in, but the U.S. would rally for a 3-1 victory to ensure itself a spot in the championship game.

What to Watch

Really, at this point what you need to watch is the game and everybody involved in it. This is going to be one to remember. But if we need to be picky… let’s turn our attention to the reigning Hart Trophy winner. MacKinnon earned Player of the Game honours against the Finns thanks to his two-goal effort, and his Cole Harbour connection with Crosby will be key to Canada’s chances. MacKinnon has been tearing up the NHL, going into the international break with a league-leading 87 points (19-66—87). (Those 66 assists, by the way, also pace all NHLers.) Although it’s been almost eight years since he last wore the Maple Leaf (at the 2017 IIHF World Championship), MacKinnon is no stranger to international hockey; his résumé included 22 goals and 52 points in 49 games for his country prior to the tournament.

The Americans have an NHL league-leader of their own, and he plays between the pipes. Connor Hellebuyck is arguably the best goaltender in the world, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner who has his sights set on another. He tops all puck-stoppers in goals-against average (2.06), save percentage (.925), shutouts (6) and wins (34), backstopping the Winnipeg Jets to the top of the NHL standings. And the 31-year-old has been just as good at the 4 Nations Face-Off, winning both his starts while allowing just a single goal in each, turning aside 45 of 47 shots in victories over Finland and Canada. But just like the Canadians, feel free to let your focus wander to any number of players – Auston Matthews, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk … there’s really no wrong answer.

A Look Back

One of international hockey’s greatest rivalries, the Canadians and Americans have met 20 times in best-on-best tournaments since the 1976 Canada Cup, with Canada holding a 14-5-1 advantage.

This will be the fifth time the rivals will clash in a tournament finale; Canada swept the best-of-three final in the 1991 Canada Cup, only for the U.S. to get that win back in a three-game thriller in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. And, of course, they have met in a pair of Olympic gold medal games – in 2002, when Canada ended a 50-year drought, and the 2010 instant classic in Vancouver that ended with Crosby’s iconic Golden Goal.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-5-1 (2-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 71
United States goals: 32

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. FINLAND (FEB. 17)

It’s do-or-die time as the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off shifts to Boston; Canada faces off against Finland in its preliminary-round finale Monday afternoon, needing a win to keep its chances of playing for the championship alive.

Last Game

Canada closed out the Montreal leg of the tournament with an emotion-filled 3-1 loss to the United States on Saturday night. After three fights in the first nine seconds, Connor McDavid opened the scoring at the 5:31 mark, firing up an already energized crowd at the Bell Centre. But that would be it for offence for the Canadians, who lost a best-on-best game for the first time since a prelim loss to the Americans at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

The Finns bounced back from their own loss to the U.S. by edging their Nordic rivals from Sweden 4-3 in overtime in a Saturday matinee. Mikael Granlund provided the heroics just 1:49 into the extra period, keeping Finland in the running for a spot in the final opposite the U.S.

Last Meeting

Canada and Finland have been frequent foes at the IIHF World Championship, clashing most recently in the preliminary round at the 2024 tournament last spring in Prague. Owen Power sparked the offence with a goal and two assists, Dylan Cozens added a goal and a helper and Jordan Binnington made 29 saves to help the Canadians to a 5-3 win.

The most recent best-on-best matchup came in the prelim finale at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. With both teams already assured of a place in the playoff round, Drew Doughty ended a defensive battle with his second goal of the game 2:32 into overtime, giving Canada a 2-1 win and first place in Group B.

What to Watch

While much of the attention has fallen to Sidney Crosby and his international exploits (and to be clear, that attention is VERY MUCH warranted) or his connection with Nathan MacKinnon, a fellow Nova Scotian, it’s almost as if McDavid has somewhat slid under the radar. Which is crazy to say about a player who has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy four consecutive seasons – winning twice – and has averaged 136 points over the last three years. But the Edmonton Oilers superstar burst back into the spotlight on Saturday, streaking through the Americans with a top speed of 36.5 mph to open the scoring. McDavid has been no slouch internationally across his career; he has recorded 55 points (15-40—55) in 41 games wearing the Maple Leaf, winning gold medals at Men’s Worlds, World Juniors and U18 Men’s Worlds.

What a year it’s been for Aleksander Barkov. The Finnish captain is eight months removed from captaining the Florida Panthers to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship, averaging almost a point per game in the playoffs (8-14—22 in 24 games). The 29-year-old is on pace for his fifth-straight point-per-game season (and the only two seasons he didn’t reach that mark across the last eight, he was 78 in 79 and 62 in 66), and he has the Panthers back atop a competitive Atlantic Division with the sixth-most points in the NHL at the international break. Almost it has been almost nine years since he last wore the blue and white of his country, Barkov is no stranger to international hockey; his résumé includes a U18 Men’s Worlds, two World Juniors, two Men’s Worlds, one Olympics and a World Cup of Hockey.

Championship Scenarios

The U.S. has booked its place in the final on Thursday night, but the Canadians, Finns and Swedes all sit at two points and have championship game aspirations.

A regulation win for either Canada or Finland will see them advance to face the Americans, while Sweden will need an overtime finish in the early game Monday and a regulation win over the U.S.

A Look Back

Despite being long-time international rivals, Canada and Finland have met only nine times in best-on-best competition since the 1976 Canada Cup, with the Canadians claiming victory in six of those meetings.

The highlight came at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, when the nations clashed in the final. A back-and-forth game saw the Finns twice erase Canadian leads before Shane Doan netted the game-winner 34 seconds into the third period, giving Canada a 3-2 victory and the World Cup title.

All-time record: Canada leads 6-2-1 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 35
Finland goals: 14

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 15)

While every preliminary-round game is important in a short tournament, this one just seems a little more special – Canada takes on the United States in the marquee prelim matchup on Saturday night at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Last Game

Canada opened the tournament with an absolute barn-burner on Wednesday night, getting an overtime winner from Mitch Marner to earn a 4-3 victory over Sweden in front of a raucous crowd at the Bell Centre. Sidney Crosby picked up three primary assists (and improved to 26-0 in his last 26 international games), while Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand and Mark Stone joined Marner as goal scorers.

The Americans turned it on late in their opener against Finland on Thursday, scoring four goals in a span of 5:56 across the second and third periods to beat the Finns 6-1. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals each, with Matthew and Jake Guentzel netting 11 seconds apart in the opening minute of the final frame to extend the U.S. lead from one to three before most fans were back in their seats.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Americans last clashed in the semifinals at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia. Darcy Kuemper starred between the pipes for Canada, making 36 saves, Andrew Mangiapane scored a pair of goals to bolster his case for MVP honours and the Canadians – who started the tournament with three-straight losses – downed their cross-border rivals 4-2 en route to an unlikely 27th world title.

The most recent best-on-best matchup came in the semifinals of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, a narrow 1-0 win for Canada. Jamie Benn scored the game’s only goal 1:41 into the second period and Carey Price made it stand up with a 31-save shutout, backstopping Canada into another Olympic gold medal game (where he’d add another clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Sweden).

What to Watch

The exploits of Canada’s big guns up front have been well-documented, so let’s turn our attention to the blue line. The loss of Shea Theodore for the tournament with an upper-body injury has opened the door for Travis Sanheim, who will draw into the lineup against the U.S. But the native of Elkhorn, Manitoba (the smallest hometown on the Canadian roster with just 455 residents, according to the 2021 Census) is not your average seventh defenceman. Sanheim plays 24:34 a night with the Philadelphia Flyers, 14th among NHL defencemen, sits seventh among all NHLers with 126 blocked shots and is fast – which comes in handy in a tournament like this. NHL Edge data has the 28-year-old in the 97th percentile among defencemen with 93 bursts above the league average of 32 kph.

The Tkachuk brothers are continuing the proud familiy tradition of international excellence started by their father, Keith. The elder Tkachuk represented the U.S. at two World Juniors (1991, 1992), two World Cups (1996, 2004) and four Olympics (1992, 1998, 2002, 2006), winning a World Cup title in 1996 and Olympic silver in 2002. Now Brady and Matthew are getting their first taste of best-on-best competition, having already accumulated 36 games of Team USA experience at the U18 Men’s Worlds, World Juniors and Men’s Worlds. And watch out for Zach Werenski; the blue-liner – who recorded three assists against the Finns – is enjoying a career year for the Columbus Blue Jackets, ranking second among NHL rearguards in goals (17) and points (59) while playing a league-leading 26:53 per game.

A Look Back

One of international hockey’s greatest rivalries, the Canadians and Americans have met 19 times in best-on-best tournaments since the 1976 Canada Cup, with Canada holding a 14-4-1 advantage.

A number of those meetings have come in tournament finales; Canada swept the best-of-three final in the 1991 Canada Cup, only for the U.S. to get that win back in a three-game thriller in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. And, of course, the North American rivals have met in a pair of Olympic gold medal games – in 2002, when Canada ended a 50-year drought, and the 2010 instant classic in Vancouver that ended with Crosby’s iconic Golden Goal.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-4-1 (2-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 70
United States goals: 29

The day has come. After almost nine years, best-on-best competition returns as Canada opens up the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden in Montreal.

The day has finally come. Almost nine years after the last best-on-best tournament – the 2016 World Cup of Hockey – Canada opens up the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Last Meeting

The last time the Canadians and Swedes met in any senior men’s competition was the bronze medal game at the 2024 IIHF World Championship last spring in Prague. Dylan Cozens and Pierre-Luc Dubois gave Canada a 2-1 lead early in the third period, but three unanswered goals in the final 10:25 were enough for Sweden to earn a 4-2 win.

For the last time the long-time international rivals met in best-on-best competition (and we’re including Canada Cups, World Cups and Olympics with NHLers in that category), you have to go back to the gold medal game at the 2014 Games in Sochi. Jonathan Toews opened the scoring (just as he had in the 2010 gold medal game), Sidney Crosby closed the scoring (just as he had in the 2010 gold medal game) and Carey Price made 24 saves for the shutout as Canada claimed another Olympic gold with a 3-0 win.

What to Watch

Have you seen the Canadian roster? You think we can pick just one player? More than 13,000 NHL games. More than 10,000 points. Twenty Stanley Cup championships. Thirty-three individual NHL honours. But alright, let’s focus on one – how about arguably the greatest leader in Canadian hockey history with the ‘C’ on his chest? Crosby has tallied 67 points (32-35—67) in 54 international games, winning two Olympic gold medals, one each at Men’s Worlds and World Juniors, and a World Cup title. He is the only player in the IIHF Triple Gold Club to win all three legs as captain – Olympic gold, IIHF World Championship gold and the Stanley Cup. Remarkably, it has been almost 22 years since the pride of Cole Harbour first donned the Maple Leaf, as a 15-year-old at the 2003 U18 World Cup. Crosby is still a force to be reckoned with in his 20th NHL season; he has recorded 58 points (17-41—58) in 55 games, on pace to finish as a point-per-game player for the 20th time in as many seasons.

Sweden may not have the top-to-bottom star power of the Canadians, but there are certainly a few players who deserve a little extra attention. Let’s start with one familiar to Canadian hockey fans – William Nylander. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward sits second in the NHL with 33 goals this season and has been terrific wearing the Tre Kronor; Nylander’s last international appearance came at the 2019 IIHF World Championship when he led the tournament with 18 points (5-13—18) despite the Swedes going out in the quarterfinals. And since we mentioned Crosby, we’d be remiss not to mention the Swedish captain – Victor Hedman. The veteran defenceman has a trophy case that includes Men’s Worlds gold, two Stanley Cups with Tampa Bay, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Norris Trophy, along with more than 700 points in more than 1,000 NHL games. Only three Swedish blue-liners have recorded more points – two (Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming) are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the third, Erik Karlsson, will join Hedman at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

A Look Back

If we look back strictly at best-on-best competition, dating back to the 1976 Canada Cup, the Canadians have a decided advantage, winning 10 of the 12 meetings.

The only other matchup in a gold medal game or tournament final came at the 1984 Canada Cup, when Canada swept the best-of-three final in Alberta. Michel Goulet had two goals and an assist to in a 5-2 win in Game 1 in Calgary before 12 players recorded points in the opening 17 minutes to help Canada to a 5-0 first-period lead in Game 2 in Edmonton, en route to a 6-5 victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 10-2-0 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 45
Sweden goals: 27

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 8)

It all comes down to Game 5. Canada’s National Women's Team faces its cross-border rivals from the United States in a Saturday night showdown to decide the Rivalry Series at Credit Union Place.

Last Meeting & Last Game

Canada dropped a 2-1 shootout decision on Thursday in Halifax, evening up the series at two wins apiece. Hilary Knight scored midway through the first period to give the Americans the lead, but it was the home-province hero, Blayre Turnbull, scoring with 2:20 remaining to send the game to overtime before the U.S. converted on three of four shootout attempts.

What to Watch

It’s been a warm East Coast welcome for Turnbull. The 31-year-old native of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, has two goals and an assist in this year’s Rivalry Series to go along with five goals and two helpers in 15 games as captain of the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Of course, in a winner-take-all scenario, we’d be remiss if we did not talk about Captain Canada, Marie-Philip Poulin. The Montreal Victoire captain has a history of scoring in clutch scenarios, whether it was the game-winner in last year’s Rivalry Series finale or gold medal games at four Olympics. She leads the PWHL with 10 goals in 14 games.

Gwyneth Philips was terrific in the American goal in Halifax, finishing with 31 saves in regulation and overtime before turning away all three Canadian shooters in the shootout to record her first international win. And, of course, Knight continues to make an impact in international games, with her goal in Halifax giving her three in as many Rivalry Series games. The 35-year-old, who leads the Boston Fleet with 11 points (5-6—11) in 13 PWHL games this season, has scored 159 goals in 235 Team USA games over her 19-year international career.

Milestone Watch

Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark. Laura Stacey and Jamie Lee Rattray are both five points from 50 in their careers.

A Look Back

Winner-take-all games have been a common occurrence in the Rivalry Series lately. This is the third year in a row the series will be decided in the final game. Last year, Canada once again erased a 3-0 series deficit and completed the reverse sweep with a 6-1 win in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Natalie Spooner and Emma Maltais scored twice as Canada capitalized on special teams with two power-play goals and a shorthanded marker.

Saturday also marks the first time Canada’s National Women’s Team will play the United States on Prince Edward Island.

All-time record: Canada leads 107-81-1 (25-21 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 526
United States goals: 463

GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (FEB. 6)

Hello, Halifax! Canada’s National Women's Team is back in action against its cross-border rivals, kicking off the Canadian leg of the Rivalry Series against the United States on Thursday night at Scotiabank Centre.

Last Meeting & Last Game

Canada took a 2-1 lead in the Rivalry Series with a 4-1 win in Boise, Idaho, back in November. Jocelyne Larocque and Sarah Nurse gave Canada an early lead in the first period, with Kristin O’Neill making it a 3-0 game in the middle frame. The Americans got one back on the power play in the third, but Emily Clark provided the final margin of victory with less than four minutes left.

What to Watch

With the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season well underway, three different members of Canada’s National Women’s Team lead the league in points, goals and assists. Sarah Fillier (New York Sirens) leads the PWHL in scoring with 15 points (5-10—15) after a fantastic start to her professional career. Captain Marie-Philip Poulin (Montreal Victoire) leads with 10 goals in 14 games (10-2—12), while Claire Thompson (Minnesota Frost) leads with 10 assists in 15 games (4-10—14). Between the pipes, Ann-Renée Desbiens tops all qualified goaltenders in wins (8), goals-against average (1.77) and save percentage (.935).

Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise sit right behind Fillier in PWHL scoring. Coyne Schofield, the Americans’ veteran captain, has earned 14 points (6-8—14) in 15 games, while Heise, the reigning Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP, has recorded 14 points (4-10—14) in 14 games. The United States also made a change to its roster on Tuesday; Alex Carpenter, Gabby Rosenthal, Hayley Scamurra and Grace Zumwinkle are no longer able to participate, and were replaced by Izzy Daniel, Clair DeGeorge, Maureen Murphy and Mannon McMahon.

Milestone Watch

Thursday’s game marks international game No. 100 for Nurse and Laura Stacey. Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark. Stacey and Jamie Lee Rattray are both sitting five points away from 50 in their careers.

With her assist on Canada’s first goal in Game 3, Poulin passed Hockey Hall of Fame forward Danielle Goyette for fourth place in all-time National Women’s Team scoring (220 points).

A Look Back

This is the third time Halifax has hosted the Canada-United States rivalry, and Thursday marks the first time since 2004 that the team will play in Nova Scotia after the COVID-19 pandemic erased the opportunity for the city to host the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Canada captured its eighth consecutive Women’s Worlds gold with a 2-0 win over the Americans in Halifax on April 6, 2004. After a scoreless first, Hayley Wickenheiser opened the scoring four minutes into the second period before Delaney Collins doubled the advantage early in the third. Kim St-Pierre was terrific in the Canadian goal (as the Hall of Famer typically was), posting a 26-save shutout.

All-time record: Canada leads 107-80-1 (25-20 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 525
United States goals: 462

Since the Winnipeg Falcons represented Canada at the 1920 Summer Olympic Games, Canadian teams on the international stage have worn jerseys that have celebrated the country, its provinces and cities, the Armed Forces, organizations and fans.

But which one is the best?

That’s what we want to figure out…and we need your help!

We’ve selected 16 of our favourite Team Canada looks, and over the next three weeks we’re putting it to a vote across our social media channels – on X, Facebook Story and Instagram Story.

The 16 jerseys include:

• 1952 Olympic Winter Games (Edmonton Mercurys)
• 1961 National Men’s Team (Trail Smoke Eaters)
• 1980 Olympic Winter Games
• 1982 National Junior Team
• 1987 Canada Cup
• 1992 National Women’s Team
• 1994 National Men’s Team
• 1995 National Junior Team
• 1998-99 National Teams
• 2002 Olympic Winter Games
• 2002 Olympic Winter Games – 3rd jersey
• 2010 Olympic Winter Games
• 2008-15 National Teams
• 2014-15 National Teams (100th Anniversary)
• 2015-25 National Teams
• 2021-25 National Teams (One Leaf)

Votes will be combined across multiple platforms, so just because a jersey captures a higher percentage of the votes on one platform does not necessarily mean it will win the overall vote. Check out the bracket at the top of the page – it will be updated after each matchup.

First-round matchups will last 24 hours. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be 48 hours, with the final lasting 72 hours to help us crown Team Canada’s best-ever look.

First Round
• January 23
• January 24
• January 25
• January 26
• January 27
• January 28
• January 29
• January 30

Quarterfinals
• January 31-February 1
• February 2-3
• February 4-5
• February 6-7

Semifinals
• February 8-9
• February 10-11

Final
• February 12-14