Nova Scotia natives Troy Ryan and Kori Cheverie have been selected to coach Canada’s women’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, aiming for another gold medal victory. This marks Ryan’s third time coaching the Olympic team, with his second stint as head coach, a role he never imagined he would hold.
Reflecting on his upcoming third Olympic Games, Ryan expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing that he does not take it for granted. Previously, Ryan and Cheverie led the Canadian women’s team to victory in the gold medal match against the United States at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Both Ryan and Cheverie currently coach teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, with Ryan at the helm of the Toronto Sceptres and Cheverie leading the Montreal Victoire. The 2026 Winter Games in Italy will be the first Olympics following the launch of the PWHL in January 2024.
Ryan highlighted the positive impact of the PWHL on women’s hockey, citing the league’s ability to elevate the game’s caliber through increased exposure to resources, quality coaching, and support staff. He anticipates that this development will enhance the performance of players at the upcoming Olympics.
Having collaborated for six years, Cheverie, from New Glasgow, N.S., emphasized the resilience required to coach from a small province like Nova Scotia. She commended their gritty mentality, which has proven beneficial in their work with the Canadian national team. Cheverie, named last season’s PWHL coach of the year, expressed excitement about participating in the Winter Games next year.
In the lead-up to the Olympics, players and staff will undergo training in Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, aligning with the PWHL schedule. Turnbull, the captain of the Toronto Sceptres and a key player in the 2022 gold medal-winning team in Beijing, was among the 30 players selected for Hockey Canada’s August training camp roster.
Ryan hinted that the 2026 Games might mark his final Olympic appearance, signaling a potential transition for new leadership afterward. Recalling his first Olympic opening ceremony experience, Ryan acknowledged the profound impact of such moments in one’s sports career.
As preparations intensify for the upcoming Winter Olympics, Ryan, Cheverie, and the team remain focused on the goal of securing another gold medal for Canada in women’s hockey.