Comparing Canada and USA’s Rivalry Series Rosters

Canada and USA are set to drop the puck on another season of the Rivalry Series. Since the inception of the series in 2018, Canada holds a minuscule 15-13 lead over the USA in total wins. The two game difference can be attributed to back to back 4-3 series wins in 2023 and 2024, each coming after falling behind 3-0 to the USA.

This season the series has been shortened from three stops and seven games to two stops and five games in order to accommodate the PWHL.

This season with Team USA, a shift is occurring with more PWHL players bolstering their roster, although they still feature nine NCAA players compared to only one on Team Canada.

Here’s a position by position comparison for Team USA and Team Canada’s Rivalry Series rosters for the first three games of the 2024-2025 series.

Comparing The Goaltenders

Ann-Renee Desbiens and Aerin Frankel faced off in a 6-5 gold medal game in 2024. High scoring affairs aren’t the norm between Canada and USA. For Canada, the idea that Desbiens is the unquestioned starter no longer exists. It would be surprising not to see Kristen Campbell get a start, or two, in the first leg of the Rivalry Series. She struggled in the Rivalry Series last year and out of the gate in the PWHL, but turned things around culminating in being named the PWHL’s Goaltender of the Year. Campbell and Corinne Schroeder are arguably Canada’s best goalies at the moment, and Campbell is worth a long look this time around. Frankel will remain the defacto starter for USA, although Hensley can step in and steal games, and Gwyneth Philips has done everything that could be asked of her. The fact USA kept her around as their number three this year says they like her, as the third goalie position for the Americans has been a revolving door. Frankel was nearly unbeatable in the playoffs for Boston, and can steal a game. If Campbell picks up where she left off, the advantage in net could be to Team Canada, otherwise USA has the edge here overall. The truth however, is that each of these goalies can step in and dazzle.

Comparing The Bluelines

It’s hard to argue with Canada’s current top four of Fast, Ambrose, Shelton, and Larocque. The omission of Nicole Gosling who was a steadying presence at the World Championships is perplexing, particularly given the fact she can handle her own zone better than some of the veterans. Claire Thompson will get her first game action in over a year at the Rivalry Series, while youngster Chloe Primerano fast tracked herself to the NCAA and to Canada’s national program. Primerano could turn heads if Canada can insert her into the lineup with some veteran padding. There will be a fight for roster spots unlike any Canada has seen on their blueline recently, especially is Gosling gets factored back in. USA returns a very familiar blueline headlined by Megan Keller and Caroline Harvey. Cayla Barnes and Savannah Harmon are the likely candidates to round out their top four followed by Haley Winn and Rory Guilday. Ally Simpson is the new face to the group. She took the spot over Sydney Morrow who was the alternate for USA at Worlds. Edge on the blueline goes to Canada.

Comparing the Forwards

Canada’s forward group is getting long in the tooth, and USA’s is just moving into their prime. Without Natalie Spooner, expect Canada to give additional opportunities to players like Danielle Serdachny, Julia Gosling, and newcomer Daryl Watts. Each will probably factor into scoring lines alongside Poulin, Nurse, Maltais, Fillier and others. USA still has veterans, but they also have young stars who are dynamic. Whether it’s Heise, Bilka, and Zumwinkle, or Edwards, Murphy, and Simms, USA can send waves of players who balance skill, size, and speed. Add in Tessa Janecke, Joy Dunne, and Lacey Eden, and USA has a young core that can push the pace for a full 60 minutes. It’s been USA’s collegiate players who have dominated past Rivalry Series, and as soon as they are unavailable in. February games, Canada has fought back. It could be similar this year as USA’s larger NCAA contingent are already coming into midseason form. This time around however, Canada’s group will be all round sharper having played a full PWHL season last year, and ramping up for training camp, which begins two days after the third game of the Rivalry Series. Beyond Canada’s current group, there is a gap in talent that might not be filled until players like Emmalee Pais and Jocelyn Amos are ready, or farther down the line by Caitlin Kraemer. Can the veteran savvy of Canada keep up with USA’s dynamism?

Overall, the 2024-2025 Rivalry Series is shaping up to be another closely contested event. Both nations will send their brightest young talent to the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour in December, which is where we’ll get a glimpse of North America’s next wave taking on Europe’s top national team programs.

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