Canada Turns to Kristen Campbell for World Championship Opener Against Finland

After years of waiting in the wings, Canadian goaltender Kristen Campbell is finally getting her shot on the biggest stage. The 27-year-old from Brandon, Manitoba, will start in Canada’s opening game at the women’s world hockey championship against Finland on Thursday.

It’s a milestone moment that’s been a long time coming—and one that could shape Canada’s goaltending path moving forward.

Campbell Gets the Call

This will be Campbell’s first-ever start at a world championship, though it’s not her first time wearing the maple leaf.

She’s been Canada’s third-string goaltender at the last four world championships and at the 2022 Olympics. But her actual time on the ice has been limited—just seven appearances in total. Thursday will be No. 8, but also No. 1 in a tournament that really counts.

Head coach Troy Ryan made the announcement Wednesday in České Budějovice, Czechia, where Team Canada has been practicing.

And it’s not just a warmup game. Finland is ranked fourth in the world and always brings grit, speed, and sneaky offense. This will be a real test.

Desbiens Sits, But Not for Long

Ann-Renée Desbiens is Canada’s usual starter—and a key reason for their Olympic and world championship success in recent years. So why the change?

Well, Desbiens has been nursing a lower-body injury. She missed the last three games for Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) before the international break.

Coach Ryan said it’s not about the injury itself, but more about giving her time to get into form.

“It’s not necessarily injury related,” Ryan told reporters. “In my mind, it’s more preparation to get her sharp.”

Desbiens has been fully involved in Canada’s practices this week. She skated hard on both Tuesday and Wednesday. So this isn’t a red flag. It’s more like a caution sign. The plan is to get her game-ready without rushing it.

Campbell’s opportunity isn’t just a gap-filler. It’s a statement of trust.

Steady Work, Few Opportunities

Let’s be honest—Campbell’s had to wait. A lot.

She’s been part of Canada’s senior setup since 2021 but stuck behind big names like Desbiens and Emerance Maschmeyer on the depth chart. That meant limited chances, even in friendlies or Rivalry Series games.

Her record? Small sample size, but solid.

Here’s a quick glance at Campbell’s Team Canada career so far:

That “0 starts” changes on Thursday.

Calm Under Pressure

Campbell isn’t flashy. She’s calm, structured, and moves with efficiency rather than flair. Coaches love that kind of goaltender in tournament settings, where one mistake can flip everything.

She’s also no stranger to big games. At the NCAA level, she won a national title with Wisconsin in 2019 and posted a 1.03 GAA that year. That’s elite.

Short one-line sentence for pacing.

In a sport where goalies peak later, Campbell’s timing might actually be perfect.

A Test Right Out of the Gate

Finland won’t make it easy. They’re physical. They crash the net. And they’ve beaten Canada before in high-stakes games.

Canada, though, has been rolling through practices with focus. Ryan’s system rewards clean puck movement and defensive responsibility. That should help Campbell ease into things, especially if the defense can limit second chances.

And let’s be real—the team in front of her is stacked. With forwards like Sarah Fillier and Marie-Philip Poulin on the roster, there’s offensive firepower to back her up.

• Canada’s first three group games:

  • vs. Finland (Thursday)

  • vs. Switzerland (Saturday)

  • vs. Czechia (Monday)

Expect Desbiens to rotate in soon. But Campbell’s start could shift dynamics if she delivers a standout performance.

A Long Road, Finally Leading Somewhere

There’s always been belief in Campbell’s potential. She was included in Canada’s Olympic roster in 2022 and stuck with the national program through multiple camps, friendlies, and limited reps.

That kind of perseverance matters.

She didn’t go public with frustration. She didn’t bolt from the program. She waited. She trained. She stayed ready.

Now the door’s open—and all eyes will be on how she handles it.