“Finally here”: Canada excited for historic Women’s Para Ice Hockey Worlds

Canada’s Raphaelle Tousignant and her teammates will skate into history Tuesday as the inaugural Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships open in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia.

‘’I never thought this day would come,’’ said the 23-year-old Tousignant to the monjoliette.com website. ‘’After all these years, we’re finally here.  It’s surreal, but I think I’m more relieved than anything else to know that future generations will take it for granted that there will be a world championship.”

Canada opens the tournament on Tuesday (August 26) against Team World (1:30 p.m. ET live on the World Para Hockey YouTube channel), comprised of all stars from various countries. It’s a crucial early test for the Canadians.

Team World’s cohesion may still be developing but its lineup is packed with global talent. A strong start by Canada would certainly establish its dominance in Group B and set the pace for a deep run through the playoff stages.

Canada enters the tournament as one of the most experienced teams. The squad has built momentum through three consecutive silver medal finishes at the Women’s World Challenge from 2022-2024, and now has its eyes set on the top of the podium.

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‘’We have a high energy team,’’ said forward Clare Buchanan of Brampton, Ont. to CP24. ‘’We have a great mix of veterans like myself and Christina Picton who’s been here since day one. Then we have the next generation of athletes who are 16-18 years-old.

‘’I truly believe we can walk away being on top of the podium.’’

Picton, 32, is also a member of Canada’s Para nordic skiing team and competed at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games posting four top-10 finishes.

‘’We’re feeling really prepared and really connected as a team,’’ she told the Para Sport Nation podcast. ‘What sticks out in my mind is just the amount of focus within the group. We are dedicated women.’’

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Canada’s major tune-ups included a rivalry series against the U.S. in April, as well as regional training camps followed by a full-team camp.

Canada concludes the preliminary round Wednesday against Great Britain at 10 a.m. ET. The other pool features USA, Norway and Australia. The semifinals are on August 30, and the medal matches August 31. CLICK HERE for the full schedule.

Not surprisingly most experts predict a Canada-USA showdown for the gold medal final.

‘’We’ve had a fierce rivalry with the U.S.,’’ said Buchanan. ‘’This year’s not going to be any different. It’s going to be an exciting tournament, not only to potentially face the Americans but Norway and Australia being at a tournament like this for the first time just shows the growth of the game.’’

Of course, everybody involved in this tournament hopes this is another giant step towards Paralympic Winter Games inclusion one day for women’s Para ice hockey. Currently Para ice hockey is an open sport at the Games but comprised mainly of men.

The International Paralympic Committee’s website is giving the event expanded coverage.

The tournament also has another historical component. The competition’s team of referees will also be entirely female. Canadian Shadei Saadé will be one of the nine officials on site, having also officiated at the World Challenge in Skien, Norway, in 2024.

‘’A world championship is a crucial step in our quest to qualify for the Paralympic Games,’’ said Tousignant. ‘’In order to be considered for the 2030 Games, we needed a worlds this year.’’

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Below is the Team Canada roster for the 2025 Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championships August 26-31 in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia:

Goaltenders

Maggie Manning, Salmon Arm, B.C,

Jessie Gregory Wainfleet, Ont.

Defence

Christina Picton, Fonthill, Ont.

Mackenzie Spong, London, Ont.

Peyton Vergie, East St. Paul, Man.

Émilie Charron-Pilotte, Luskville, Que.

Forwards

Alyssa White, Winniepg

Claire Buchanan, Brampton, Ont.

Raphaelle Tousignant, Terrebonne, Que.

Sheena Darnley, Welland, Ont.

Aubree Clements, Bowmanville, Ont.

Peggy Assinck, Vancouver

Hadley Frittenburg, Timberlea, N.S.

Alanna Mah, Edmonton

Vanessa Racine, Blainville, Que.

Head coach: Tara Chisholm, Medicine Hat, Alta.

Assistant coaches: Derek Whitson, Chatham, Ont; Tim Whitson, Chatham, Ont.; McKenna Wild, Winnipeg.