Hockey Canada Clarifies Sarah Nurse's World Championship Absence

Hockey Canada has clarified that Sarah Nurse was unable to attend the national women's hockey team's training camp in Quebec City ahead of the world championship in Denmark, correcting an earlier statement that she had declined the invitation. The 31-year-old Vancouver Goldeneyes forward was replaced by 20-year-old college player Alexia Aubin as Canada prepares to select its 25-player roster.

The organization announced Nurse's removal on Thursday, October 8, without initially explaining the change. Nurse had been among 48 players invited on September 28 to the seven-day camp at Videotron Centre, which runs through October 14.

On Friday, general manager Danièle Sauvageau addressed the roster change but provided no specific explanation for Nurse's absence. She also confirmed that players could miss camp for different reasons, including injuries, while noting that Marie-Philip Poulin was continuing her rehabilitation and Blayre Turnbull was pregnant.

"There may be circumstances that have changed between when we announced the team and now, leading to the replacement," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager, during media availability in Quebec City.

Sportsnet reported Saturday that Hockey Canada had clarified Nurse was unable to attend rather than having declined the invitation. The organization's initial explanation, provided to reporters Thursday, had described her absence as a decision to turn down the opportunity.

In comments reported by Yahoo Sports Canada, Sauvageau reiterated the possibility that circumstances had changed after the original invitations were issued.

"There may be circumstances that have changed between when we announced the team and now, leading to the replacement," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager.

The team is using the camp to evaluate candidates before facing the United States in exhibition play. Sauvageau said Canada intends to finalize its world championship roster before the October 28 game against the Americans in Windsor, Ontario, with selections expected in the days after camp concludes.

Sauvageau outlined four priorities for the camp, combining player development with preparation and selection for the tournament.

"To teach. To develop. We have to prepare the team for the World Championship, and we have to make our selections," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager.

She also identified the United States' pace and ability to transition quickly as qualities Canada must address. Her comments emphasized rapid puck movement and teamwork alongside skating speed.

"When you look at the United States, they play with a lot of speed and a strong transition game. And when we talk about speed, we're not just talking about skating. We're talking about puck movement, being able to get the puck and move it up the ice very quickly, while trusting your teammates to give you options," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager.

Young players are another focus, with 15 of the 48 original invitees competing in the NCAA this season. Aubin, a junior at Colgate University from Lévis, Quebec, previously represented Canada's development team in a three-game summer series against the United States.

Sauvageau said the coaching staff was encouraged by the younger candidates while stressing the importance of assessing their ability to compete at the senior international level.

"I really like what I'm seeing from the young players," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager.

She explained that performance at the college level does not automatically establish readiness for international competition.

"It's one thing to watch them play at their own level, but the real question is how that translates to this level," said Sauvageau, Canada's general manager.

Nurse brings extensive international experience to the Canadian program. The three-time Olympian helped Canada win Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she established tournament records for points and assists, and contributed to world championship titles in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Her availability also matters to Vancouver, which selected her for its training camp roster ahead of the upcoming Professional Women's Hockey League season. Nurse scored the first goal in Goldeneyes franchise history but missed almost eight weeks of the team's inaugural season after suffering an arm injury in the opening game.

Vancouver goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer was also absent from Canada's world championship camp after being included on the initial invitation list. The Goldeneyes named both players to their own training camp roster, which is scheduled to begin November 18.

The women's world championship will run from November 6 to 16 in Esbjerg and Herning, Denmark. The United States enters the tournament as defending champion.