photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Tim Austen
Team Canada has gone through some changes since the Olympic gold medal game in Milan in February.
There’s no Marie-Philip Poulin, no Jocelyne Larocque, nor Blayre Turnbull on the roster.
All in all, Team Canada has lost more than a thousand games of international experience, but what makes those three especially interesting is the fact that they were the captain and two alternates in Milan.
In Herning, Canada has decided on a new solution. Renata Fast and Laura Stacey act as co-captains, and Kristin O’Neill as the alternate. In Canada’s first game in the tournament, it was Stacey who wore the C while Fast had the A, and in their game against Japan, the roles were reversed, and Fast got to wear the C.
“To wear this C is the greatest honor, and it’s great to share it with someone like ‘Stace’ throughout this event,” Fast said.
“We've been on this journey together since 2017, our first World Championship, and we've played with so many great players, and learned a lot from them and the way that they've led our group,” she added.
Fast heard about being the captain at a pregame meeting before a rivalry series game in Windsor.
“[General Manager] Danièle [Sauvageau] and [head coach] Kori [Cheverie] had a really nice speech about the responsibilities and the honor of being a leader in this program and then at the end, they announced that Kristin, Laura, and myself would be wearing the letters for Canada,” Fast says.
The 2026 captains also got some advice from Caroline Ouellette, who captained Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
“She finished the message with sharing her notes of what it takes, and the extra responsibility that comes with making sure you’re leading the group in the right direction at every moment. It was really special, really meaningful to hear it in front of the entire team,” Fast says.
Even though Fast has been a mainstay on Team Canada and top club teams for a decade, it’s the first time she’s been named captain since her youth.
“Actually, I've been a captain just on high school teams. I've worn the A quite a bit, but this is the first time that I've had the honor of wearing the C in a moment like this, so it's pretty special,” she said.
Of course, although Fast hasn’t been the captain before, there’s no need to question her leadership abilities. The 2026 tournament is Fast’s eighth IIHF Women’s World Championship. She’s also played in three Olympics and was named Best Defender at the 2024 Worlds.
She’s got an Olympic gold and three World Championship gold medals.
And yes, some silvers.
For Fast, being co-captain with Stacey makes it even more special.
“I think what's so great about it for Laura and me is that we've known each other for so long and we've both been leaders in this program for a long time. We have a really similar mindset, so it's been super seamless,” Fast says.
Fast and Stacey are among the oldest players on the team, together with defender Erin Ambrose and goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens. All four have turned 32.
At the other end are the four teenagers: Rosalie Tremblay, Hayley McDonald, Sara Manness, and Chloe Primerano.
Regardless of age, Team Canada has many leaders on the team, starting with alternate captain O’Neill.
“We have Kristen and a large group of leaders as well on the team. We're good friends, so it's pretty easy to lead together,” Fast says.
Together, Fast, Stacey and O'Neill are helping younger players find their place on a new-look Team Canada that is always expected to play for gold.
"It's different. I think it's hard when people are injured, and away. I think it's always a challenge to adapt to a new group, but I think it's also exciting," O'Neill says.
"It's really nerve-racking playing on your first national team, and it wasn't that long ago that I did that so I think acknowledging that and making people feel comfortable right away, making people feel valued as soon as they step onto this team, is important so that you’re able to play at your best."
O’Neill has high praise for the team's co-captains.
"First, their work ethic, and just the friends and teammates that they are. I think those are the two things that stand out to me," she says.
"Both have had ups and downs in their careers. They're the last people off the ice and the last people in the gym, and they work the hardest both in the gym and on the ice. I think those are things that young players — and all players — can really look up to."
There’s no Marie-Philip Poulin, no Jocelyne Larocque, nor Blayre Turnbull on the roster.
All in all, Team Canada has lost more than a thousand games of international experience, but what makes those three especially interesting is the fact that they were the captain and two alternates in Milan.
In Herning, Canada has decided on a new solution. Renata Fast and Laura Stacey act as co-captains, and Kristin O’Neill as the alternate. In Canada’s first game in the tournament, it was Stacey who wore the C while Fast had the A, and in their game against Japan, the roles were reversed, and Fast got to wear the C.
“To wear this C is the greatest honor, and it’s great to share it with someone like ‘Stace’ throughout this event,” Fast said.
“We've been on this journey together since 2017, our first World Championship, and we've played with so many great players, and learned a lot from them and the way that they've led our group,” she added.
Fast heard about being the captain at a pregame meeting before a rivalry series game in Windsor.
“[General Manager] Danièle [Sauvageau] and [head coach] Kori [Cheverie] had a really nice speech about the responsibilities and the honor of being a leader in this program and then at the end, they announced that Kristin, Laura, and myself would be wearing the letters for Canada,” Fast says.
The 2026 captains also got some advice from Caroline Ouellette, who captained Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
“She finished the message with sharing her notes of what it takes, and the extra responsibility that comes with making sure you’re leading the group in the right direction at every moment. It was really special, really meaningful to hear it in front of the entire team,” Fast says.
Even though Fast has been a mainstay on Team Canada and top club teams for a decade, it’s the first time she’s been named captain since her youth.
“Actually, I've been a captain just on high school teams. I've worn the A quite a bit, but this is the first time that I've had the honor of wearing the C in a moment like this, so it's pretty special,” she said.
Of course, although Fast hasn’t been the captain before, there’s no need to question her leadership abilities. The 2026 tournament is Fast’s eighth IIHF Women’s World Championship. She’s also played in three Olympics and was named Best Defender at the 2024 Worlds.
She’s got an Olympic gold and three World Championship gold medals.
And yes, some silvers.
For Fast, being co-captain with Stacey makes it even more special.
“I think what's so great about it for Laura and me is that we've known each other for so long and we've both been leaders in this program for a long time. We have a really similar mindset, so it's been super seamless,” Fast says.
Fast and Stacey are among the oldest players on the team, together with defender Erin Ambrose and goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens. All four have turned 32.
At the other end are the four teenagers: Rosalie Tremblay, Hayley McDonald, Sara Manness, and Chloe Primerano.
Regardless of age, Team Canada has many leaders on the team, starting with alternate captain O’Neill.
“We have Kristen and a large group of leaders as well on the team. We're good friends, so it's pretty easy to lead together,” Fast says.
Together, Fast, Stacey and O'Neill are helping younger players find their place on a new-look Team Canada that is always expected to play for gold.
"It's different. I think it's hard when people are injured, and away. I think it's always a challenge to adapt to a new group, but I think it's also exciting," O'Neill says.
"It's really nerve-racking playing on your first national team, and it wasn't that long ago that I did that so I think acknowledging that and making people feel comfortable right away, making people feel valued as soon as they step onto this team, is important so that you’re able to play at your best."
O’Neill has high praise for the team's co-captains.
"First, their work ethic, and just the friends and teammates that they are. I think those are the two things that stand out to me," she says.
"Both have had ups and downs in their careers. They're the last people off the ice and the last people in the gym, and they work the hardest both in the gym and on the ice. I think those are things that young players — and all players — can really look up to."