WOMEN’S WORLDS

Hockey Canada prepares for camp

Canada's national women's hockey team has gathered in Calgary for a two-week camp prior to the IIHF women's world championship in the southern Alberta city.

The 10-team international tournament begins on Aug. 20, four months less a day after the event — originally scheduled for Halifax and Truro in May — was abruptly cancelled by the government of Nova Scotia due to concerns over safety risks associated with the coronavirus.

Time heals all wounds. But the sting of a second-straight cancellation — the women's worlds was originally slated for April 2020, but the pandemic pushed the tournament to May 2021 — still lingers.

“I can't describe the disappointment of the cancellation,” Gina Kingsbury, Hockey Canada's director of hockey operations and a former national team player, said in a recent interview. “It was shock at first. I don't think anyone really considered that it could get pulled that late into the process.

“We were getting reports from other teams. Everyone had tested negative with no positive cases. I think Japan was ready to board their flight that morning. Everyone was really shocked and extremely disappointed.

“It was a blow that came after 15 months' worth of blows. So many tournaments, so many camps postponed, pushed, or altered. It was really a deflating moment for our group.”

The cancellation drew criticism from players for the lack of contingencies to move the tournament.

The IIHF and Hockey Canada had to work quickly to find new dates and a new site. IIHF president Rene Fasel said it was crucial to have the women's championship held this year because it is the final tournament of its kind before the Olympic Games in Beijing next February.

Six weeks later, Calgary stepped to the forefront and was announced as the new host city.

“Hockey Canada put in a lot of effort so that they could secure another location as soon as possible,” Kingsbury said.

“We're just happy we get to compete again. We are well past the emotions of the cancellation. Now everyone

is excited to get this chapter started. We'll make the best of it for sure.”

The senior team's preworlds camp begins Sunday at Winsport's Canada Olympic Park. Four days later, the women's under-18 and development (2003 birth year) teams will hold their summer camps — for the first time since 2019 — at the same location.

The national women's team will play a pair of scrimmages against a combined U18 and development squad before they enter the IIHF bubble.

Kingsbury said stringent COVID protocols will be followed at the Winsport venue, which houses four Nhl-sized arenas. The Canadian teams will stay at two separate hotels.

“We are trying to minimize the risk,” said Kingsbury, 39, who retired from the national team in 2010. “An outbreak at a camp like that, with our entire program under one roof, would not be good. So, we want to make sure we are protecting everyone.

“With staff, players and all, we will have well over 200 people under one roof.

“It's a little ambitious,” she

added with a laugh.

Twenty-nine senior players — including forwards Jill Saulnier of Halifax and Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton — are among the Olympic centralization group which arrived in Calgary by Friday.

From that group, 23 players will be named to the team that will represent Canada at the women's worlds. The remaining six players will stay in Calgary and train at a different location.

Following the world championship, all 29 players will regroup and start preparation for the Olympics. The final Olympic roster will be revealed by year's end.

“Worlds will be an important step for us, even if it's just getting our feet wet at that level. The worlds become part of the journey to Beijing for these athletes,” Kingsbury said.

“You want to start with a big performance and it's a really good test for us. In an ideal world, you walk away in August and say, ‘we're on the right path.' Because it's so close (to the Olympics), in some ways, the worlds have become even more important than previous years. No matter what happens, it's part of the big puzzle.

“Although we don't have a lot of runway prior to the tournament for preparation, I feel our athletes in a lot of ways have been preparing a long time for this.”

Team Canada hasn't claimed gold at the women's worlds since 2012 while the rival United States has captured five consecutive titles.

Leading the charge is Spryfield's Troy Ryan, who was named national women's team head coach in January 2020, taking over the position from Perry Pearn.

His first assignment as head coach was a two-game Rivalry Series versus the U.S. in February of that year, a tune-up for the women's worlds in April. But a few short weeks later, COVID-19 shuttered the sports world.

The 49-year-old Ryan, who joined the national team as an assistant in 2017, is entering his third season as Team Canada head coach. But he only has that one tournament — the Rivalry Series — under his belt as bench boss.

“It's funny, he hasn't really had the chance to coach this team,” Kingsbury said. “He's been around our program for many years so I'm really looking forward to seeing him behind the bench and seeing his work here, especially in the next eight months leading into Beijing.

“Troy's the type of coach where his work speaks loudly. He has the ability to connect with the athletes and bring the group together. He's an emotional and intelligent guy. His value comes long term. He's a big, big key to our success and I have the best seat in the house to watch and see what he can accomplish.”