Early this week, Hockey Canada announced its roster of 47 selected to participate in its National Women’s Team Training Camp running from January 17-30 in Calgary, AB. Of the 47 invitees, 35 will be able to participate. Included in the list of players invited were four Manitobans.

Campbell, Lacquette and Larocque will participate in the camp, while Bell is unavailable to attend. Also listed on the coaching staff portion of the roster is therapist Jami Boyd of Minnedosa.

Despite being hosted in a ‘bubble’, the coach staff of the national team will be given the opportunity to scout all players in attendance in preparation for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, set to be held in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia. Online video conferences have served as the main resource for camp preparation by coaching staff and players at this point.

“We recognize it has been a challenge for our players, coaches and support staff, but we have made tremendous gains through our resiliency and strength,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of women’s national teams with Hockey Canada. “We stress to our athletes about controlling what they can, and that has been shown in their individual work, off-ice training, weekly ice sessions and staying committed through our virtual connections.”

“We remain confident we are providing our athletes with an environment for success and are looking forward to coming together,” Kingsbury added. “I can’t say enough about the commitment of our team, as well as the support of our leadership at Hockey Canada and our board of directors since the cancellation of the 2020 IIHF Women’s World Championship, as we work towards our training camp and beyond.”

Carter Brooks

Carter Brooks - Associate Editor of Game On Magazine - is a news writer and sports columnist situated in Winnipeg, MB. On top of reading and writing, his favourite pastimes include camping, car-modification projects and coaching hockey. Carter can be reached at carterbrooks1994@gmail.com.