FARIBAULT, MN — It was a phone call that Kendall Doiron will never forget.
“I was in a car when I received the news so physically I kept my excitement in, but on the inside it was a dream come true, it felt like all the work I put in really paid off,” the native of Boylston told The Journal of learning that she had made the Team Canada roster for the upcoming 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U18 Women’s World Championship.
Doiron added of that moment, “I was just super grateful to receive the call.”
As for where this achievement ranks, the 17-year-old offered, “I have had many, many memorable moments in my hockey career, but this one is definitely number one as far as an accomplishment.”
Word that she cracked the 25-player roster is the latest highlight in an unforgettable stretch for Doiron that began in early August in Calgary, when she was one of 46 players from across the country who attended a tryout camp for the Team Canada U18 squad. She earned a spot on the roster that played in the three-game Summit Series versus the rival United States in Lake Placid, New York.
Just a few weeks ago, in early November, Doiron captained Team Atlantic to a historic performance at the 2025 National Women’s Championship in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador. They advanced to the tournament final for the first time, with the 5’3” forward earning the nod as the top forward in the competition.
Sprinkled in has been a sensational start in her second year at Shattuck-St. Mary’s – a prestigious prep school in Faribault, Minnesota. After a successful rookie campaign with the 16U team, she is a key contributor to the Sabres’ squad – the top-ranked prep-level team in the United States. In 29 games this season, Doiron has recorded 31 points – 11 goals and 20 assists.
“Our team has really found our rhythm these past few weeks, we are clicking really well,” Doiron said.
She added, “We have a lot of talent on the team and a great group of girls off the ice.”
The 25-athlete Team Canada roster includes nine players who won gold at the same tournament in 2025, along with 21 who wore the Red and White during the summer Summit Series, including Doiron and her Team Atlantic line-mate Jaylee MacKinnon from Clark’s Harbour. The Bluenose duo are the only players from Atlantic Canada to make the roster.
After a brief training camp in Halifax, Team Canada will head northeast to Cape Breton, where the U18 Women’s World Championship will take the ice from Jan. 10-18 in Sydney and Membertou.
Canada will play in Group A with Hungary, Sweden and Switzerland, while Group B includes Czechia, Finland, Slovakia and the United States.
Doiron and her teammates will open the tournament against the Swiss on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 8:30 p.m. and then face Hungary on Monday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. They will wrap up preliminary-round action on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. versus Sweden.
“Lots of people have been talking to me about [the tournament] being so close [to home] and them being able to come watch me play, which is a huge honour,” she explained, when asked about the opportunity to have this experience only a couple of hours away from where she grew up.
“I am super proud to be playing in a tournament this big in front of so many people that supported me growing up and still do by wanting to watch me play.”
Doiron added, “It is such a huge honour – I am so proud to have the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in the province where I learned how to skate, in a rink I have played in many times. Seeing the early mornings, late nights, and everything in between pay off, and to be able to play in my home province, makes it 10 times better.”
When asked about what the Team Canada staff has indicated regarding her role, Doiron said, “We haven’t had any individual meetings yet, but whatever role I am given or asked to play, I will do my absolute best for the team.”
TSN and RDS will broadcast Team Canada’s games live, as well as both semifinals and medal games.
Fans looking to secure their seats and SEE THEE RISE can purchase medal-round ticket packages and single-game tickets at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
