Dolny Kubin 2025: Get to know Canada

The inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Championships will take place from 26 to 31 August in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia with six teams competing for gold.

Hosted by the National Paralympic Committee of Slovakia at the Dolny Kubin Winter Stadium, the tournament will feature an all-women’s officiating crew and games will be streamed live on the Paralympic YouTube channel.

Group A will feature the USA, Norway and Australia, while Group B include Canada, Great Britain and Team World, a squad composed by players from multiple nationalities. Following the round-robin stage, group winners will meet the runners-up from the opposite group in the semi-finals on 30 August, with the medal games slated for 31 August.

Background

Canada enters the tournament as one of the most experienced and having well-structured programmes in women’s Para ice hockey. The team 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.

With a strong national development pipeline, a core of veteran leaders, and an increasingly deep bench, Canada is poised to be a title contender in Slovakia. The team’s previous international experience and high-performance training give them a competitive edge heading into this historic event. As one of the nation’s leading the charge for the growth of women’s Para ice hockey, Canada will be looking to set the tone early in Group B play.

Roster Breakdown

Forwards: Sheena Darnley, Raphaëlle Tousignant, Aubree Clements, Vanessa Racine, Alanna Mah, Alyssa White, Hadley Frittenberg
Defenders: Mackenzie Spong, Emilie Charron-Pilotte, Claire Buchanan, Christina Picton, Peggy Assinck, Peyton Vergie
Goalkeepers: Maggie Manning, Jessie Gregory
Head Coach: Tara Chisholm

Athlete to Watch

Raphaëlle Tousignant is not only a leader in Team Canada, but also one of the brightest stars in all of Para ice hockey fraternity. The first woman to represent Canada at a Para ice hockey World Championship – she made the men’s roster previously and combines speed, skill, and grit with her elite scoring ability. After standout performances in previous Women’s World Challenge events, she will be a key factor in Canada’s championship ambitions in Slovakia.

Matchup to Watch

Canada’s opener against Team World will be a crucial early test. While Team World’s cohesion may still be developing, its lineup is packed with talent from across the globe. 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.

Round-Robin Game Schedule

Tuesday, 26 August — 19:30 vs. Team World
Wednesday, 27 August — 16:00 vs. Great Britain