A historic season for women's hockey
Hockey Canada announced that a record 121,000 women and girls are now registered in its sanctioned programs, a 5% rise from the previous year. The total roster of Hockey Canada players across the country now stands at 615,000, underscoring the sport’s expanding footprint.
The surge is being driven by a combination of the upcoming Olympic Games and the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, both of which have heightened visibility and created new pathways for young athletes.
This year, 4,002 girls took part in the NHL/NHLPA First Shift program, a grassroots initiative that introduces newcomers to the game. The 2025‑26 draft for the PWHL saw 42% of selections hail from Canada, and nearly half of the league’s 2025‑26 rosters are Canadian‑born.
All‑Canadian championship series
The first all‑Canadian championship series in PWHL history pitted the Montreal Victoire against the Ottawa Charge, with Montreal emerging victorious and Marie‑Philip Poulin crowned playoff MVP.
On the international stage, Canada captured silver medals at both the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Olympics, and will travel to Denmark in November to compete in the 2026 World Championships.
Quebec claimed its first ever U‑18 National Championship, defeating Team Atlantic, while for the first time an Ontario team failed to secure gold, marking a shift in the traditional power balance.
Looking ahead
Katherine Henderson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada, said the organization is grateful for the momentum and looks forward to building on this progress as the sport continues to grow. Hockey Canada projects continued expansion into the 2026‑27 season, buoyed by the Olympic cycle and the growing professional landscape.