Will youth serve Canada well at Games?
Title defence starts Feb. 8 vs. Switzerland
CALGARY — Canada’s Olympic women’s hockey team has less experience than two previous editions, but believes it has the speed and skill defend the gold medal in Sochi, Russia.
The 21-player roster that will attempt to win a fourth consecutive Olympic gold in women’s hockey was finalized Monday after the release of three players.
The 2014 squad includes a dozen players who beat the U.S. women 2-0 in the 2010 final in Vancouver. The 2010 and 2006 squads each carried over 14 players from the previous Winter Games.
“We’re a little bit younger in the experience department,” admitted forward Hayley Wickenheiser.
“We’ve very similar in the type of style we’re going to play — a tight forechecking style and trying to counteract with a lot of speed. We have a little bit more offensive depth on the back end than in 2010 so we’ll be counting on them to jump into the attack.
Canada opens defence of the gold Feb. 8 in Sochi, Russia, against Switzerland.
Edmonton’s Shannon Szabados and Charline Labonte of Boisbriand, Que., return in goal with Genevieve Lacasse of Kingston, Ont., making her Olympic debut.
Montreal’s Catherine Ward and Meaghan Mikkelson of St. Albert, Alta., are the only two defenders returning from the 2010 squad. They’re joined by Jocelyne Larocque of St. Anne, Man., Lauriane Rougeau of Beaconsfield, Que., Laura Fortino of Hamilton and Tara Watchorn of Newcastle, Ont.
Women’s hockey made its Olympic debut in 1998 with the U.S winning the inaugural gold and Canada the next three titles.
Wickenheiser and Jayna Hefford of Kingston, Ont., will play for Canada in their fifth Olympics, with Wickenheiser also participating in the 2000 Summer Games in softball. Three-time Olympian Caroline Ouellette of Montreal also adds experience up front.
Meghan Agosta-Marciano of Ruthven, Ont., Rebecca Johnston of Sudbury, Ont., Jennifer Wakefield of Pickering, Ont., Gillian Apps of Unionville, Ont., Haley Irwin of Thunder Bay, Ont., Toronto’s Natalie Spooner and Marie-Philip Poulin of Beauceville, Que., have worn the Maple Leaf in previous Olympics or world championships.
But Melodie Daoust of Valleyfield, Que., made the Olympic roster despite zero previous experience on Canada’s national team. The 21-year-old beat out forwards Vicki Bendus of Wasaga Beach, Ont., and Bailey Bram of Ste. Anne, who were released Sunday along with defenceman Courtney Birchard of Mississauga, Ont.
“I cried because I was so happy,” Daoust said. “Coming here, I had nothing to lose. I was coming here to learn and give the best I could every day. I just wanted to make this team so bad.”