The announcement of the 2026 National Women's Team Development Camp by Hockey Canada has generated considerable excitement among collegiate programs across North America. The camp, which gathers the top forty female players from Canadian universities, serves as the primary evaluation platform for athletes aspiring to compete in a three‑game series against the United States later that summer and to secure a place on the roster for the 2027 Euro Hockey Tour.
Camp Structure and National Implications
Running from August 10 to 16 in Richmond, British Columbia, the camp will feature intensive on‑ice sessions, strength testing and strategic briefings. Coaches will use the gathering to assess not only individual skill sets but also chemistry among players who may soon represent Canada on the international stage. The event also marks the first stage of selection for the forthcoming Euro Hockey Tour in the Czech Republic, underscoring its role as a gateway to high‑profile competitions.
Among the invitees are Abby Stonehouse and Grace Outwater, both of whom have distinguished themselves at Penn State. Stonehouse, a sophomore who appeared in all thirty‑nine games during the previous season, contributed fourteen goals and ten assists for a total of twenty‑four points. Her international résumé includes a bronze medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship and a stint at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Outwater, also a sophomore, capped her season with a record‑setting performance, finishing second on the team with twenty‑four goals and sixteen assists for forty points. Her twenty‑four goals represent a single‑season high for a Penn State sophomore, while her six game‑winning goals ranked second in the Atlantic Hockey America conference and fourth nationally. She previously earned a place in Canada's National Women's Team camp the summer of 2022, a testament to her consistent development.
Program Milestones Under Their Leadership
Beyond individual accolades, Stonehouse and Outwater were instrumental in guiding Penn State to its fourth consecutive Atlantic Hockey America Tournament championship. Their leadership coincided with the program's first NCAA Tournament victory and an inaugural appearance in the Frozen Four, achievements that have elevated the university's profile in women's hockey. The Pegula Ice Arena, which recently hosted the NCAA Women's Frozen Four for the second time in program history, served as the backdrop for these historic moments.
The inclusion of both athletes in Hockey Canada's development camp reflects a broader trend of collegiate talent being recognized on the national stage. As the selection process unfolds, their performances will be closely watched by coaches and analysts alike, with many anticipating that they could become pivotal figures in Canada's upcoming international campaigns.