It was Canada’s 2025 debut at the IIHF women’s World Championships. For five members of Canada’s roster, it was night to remember as they made their senior national debut at an IIHF event.
Headlining those memorable firsts were the individual performances of forward Jennifer Gardiner and netminder Kristen Campbell.
Gardiner, a forward for the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire lined up alongside her Montreal teammates Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. They formed Canada’s top line with Gardiner scoring twice and adding an assist. She added the helper on Marie-Philip Poulin’s goal in Canada’s 5-0 win over Finland.
In net, Kristen Campbell, the reigning PWHL Goaltender of the Year made her senior national team debut at a sanctioned tournament. Campbell stopped all 24 shots she faced to earn a shutout. She was backed up by Eve Gascon. Gascon, a second year NCAA netminder for Minnesota-Duluth was named WCHA Goaltender of the Year and a First Team All-American. While Gascon didn’t play, it was her first time in the lineup for Team Canada at the senior national level.
After Canada jumped out to an early lead, head coach Troy Ryan rolled his lines giving each new member of Team Canada a chance to get their feet wet internationally. Daryl Watts, a member of the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres also made her World Championship debut. She played 13:56 on a line with Sarah Fillier and Sarah Nurse.
Canada Youngest Newcomer
The final newcomer for Canada was teenager Chloe Primerano. Primerano played 12:03 and registered three shots on goal. The 18-year-old entered the NCAA a season early playing 35 games for Minnesota this season scoring 31 points from the blueline. In January, Primerano became the all-time leading scoring defender at the U-18 World Championships.
Canada also named Sophie Jaques to their roster, who was a healthy scratch. They also originally named Hannah Miller to their roster, who would have been making her Team Canada debut. Miller however, narrowly missed the eligibility window for Canada after previously representing China, making her ineligible for this World Championship cycle.
