A New Chapter Begins
Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday that Gina Kingsbury, who had served as general manager of the women's national team, and head coach Troy Ryan will not continue in their roles following a season that ended without a single victory against the United States.
The organization has assembled a search committee to identify a successor, a panel chaired by board member Gillian Apps and comprising Therese Brisson, Cassie Campbell‑Pascall, Misha Donskov, Scott Salmond and Brad Treliving.
The decision comes after the Canadian squad was swept in every encounter with its southern rival, falling in the World Championships, the Rivalry Series and the Olympic tournament, a streak that culminated in a 24‑7 aggregate defeat and a historic first‑round sweep of the Rivalry Series.
Critics have pointed to the dual affiliations of Kingsbury and Ryan with the Professional Women's Hockey League’s Toronto Sceptres, questioning whether those ties created a conflict of interest that hampered strategic flexibility.
Both executives depart with a decorated résumé, having overseen multiple gold medals at the 2022 Olympics and a series of World Championship triumphs that cemented Canada’s dominance in women’s hockey over the past decade.
The incoming leadership will be tasked with reshaping the roster, restoring competitiveness and charting a new strategic direction for a program that has traditionally been a powerhouse on the international stage.