Hockey Canada women will soon see big leadership changes after the organization confirmed the departures of general manager Gina Kingsbury and head coach Troy Ryan.

Team Canada recently lost 2-1 in overtime against the United States in the gold-medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It was the U.S.’s eighth straight win over its longtime rivals.

After the loss, questions emerged about the future of the national program. Notably, both Ryan and Kingsbury were nearing the end of their contracts this spring. Their departures were recently confirmed.

"Gina Kingsbury and Troy Ryan will not return to Canada’s National Women’s Team for the 2026-27 season," Hockey Canada announced online, later reported by Sportsnet. "A search committee has been established to hire a new general manager."

Troy Ryan had insinuated stepping down as the women's hockey coach in February 2026, stating it was time for someone else to lead the team. Speaking to The Associated Press, Ryan had suggested leaving and wanting a change.

“It’s time for someone else to run with it and take it to new heights,” she stated.

Kingsbury, meanwhile, had noted the length of her contract and prospects of working with Hockey Canada in a different role.

“My contract is up at the end of June,” she said. “If Hockey Canada feels like there is a role that I can help have an impact in, I would consider it.”

Under Ryan and Kingsbury, Hockey Canada won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2022. They also won the World Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2024. However, the team notably lost the World Championship final to the United States in 2023 and 2025. This was followed by the recent failure at the 2026 Olympics.

The organization has started preparing for the women’s World Championship in Denmark this November.

PWHL Expansion Affects Hockey Canada Women’s Team 

The changing world of women’s hockey is also affecting the decisions of Hockey Canada. Troy Ryan is currently the head coach of the Toronto Sceptres, while Gina Kingsbury works as the team’s general manager. Their double roles became a big topic after the launch of the PWHL changed the way Canada prepared for the Olympics.

Unlike past Olympic years, Canada’s players did not stay together in Calgary for months of training. Instead, all 23 Olympic players competed in the PWHL season and attended only three national team camps before the Games.

Scott Salmond admitted that Hockey Canada must rethink whether having the same people work in both PWHL and national team roles is the right approach.

“Is it in the best interest to have a PWHL coach? Those are questions that need to be asked,” Salmond said, as per Sportsnet.

Several names are already coming up as possible replacements for Troy Ryan. Kori Cheverie, head coach of the Montreal Victoire, and assistant coach Caroline Ouellette are seen as strong options because of their long experience with Canada’s program.

Simultaneously, many experienced hockey executives are migrating to PWHL teams. As a consequence, Hockey Canada now faces the tough challenge of rebuilding its leadership while trying to stay dominant internationally in the next Olympic cycle.

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Sijo Paul