Nearly four years ago, Chloe Primerano, then a teenager, was deeply inspired by the Canadian women’s hockey team’s pursuit of an Olympic gold medal in Beijing. She would clandestinely record the late-night games at home, then eagerly watch them after school, with her family keeping the scores a secret. This experience fueled her ambition to one day compete at the Olympics. Fast forward to the present, at 18 years old, Primerano is among 30 players vying for a spot on the upcoming Olympic team bound for Italy in February. Balancing her aspirations with her NCAA commitments at the University of Minnesota, where she is in her second year, Primerano showcases remarkable talent and maturity beyond her age as a defender.
Living and training alongside players she once admired, Primerano recently resided with Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey during the team’s initial training session in Calgary. Poulin praised Primerano’s skills, highlighting her exceptional puck handling, shooting, and skating abilities. If Primerano secures a spot on the team, she would follow in the footsteps of Poulin, who achieved this feat back in 2010 as the youngest player at that time.
In response to the unique challenges posed by the current Olympic year, the Canadian team has adopted a new training approach, moving away from the traditional centralization model in Calgary. Instead, the team now focuses on integrating training blocks throughout various locations, with the most recent one taking place in Toronto at the Ford Performance Centre. This adjustment aims to strike a balance between maintaining team cohesion and allowing players to excel in their respective league competitions, such as the PWHL season set to commence on November 21.
The transition to this decentralized training structure presents both advantages and hurdles for players like assistant captain Blayre Turnbull, who values the opportunity to compete at a high level within the PWHL while acknowledging the limited time spent together as a national team. Despite the condensed preparation period, the team remains dedicated to maximizing their training sessions and fostering camaraderie before diving into the intense PWHL season.
Moreover, the emergence of the PWHL has not only revolutionized the Canadian team’s Olympic preparations but has also reshaped the landscape of player selection. With the league offering a platform for showcasing talent, individuals like Hannah Miller have earned recognition and opportunities to prove their worth for national team inclusion. This shift highlights the evolving dynamics within the Canadian women’s hockey program and the significance of leveraging league play as a pathway to international success.
As the team navigates this transformative journey leading up to the Olympics, seasoned players like Poulin serve as mentors and pillars of support for rising talents like Primerano. The camaraderie and mentorship within the team play a crucial role in nurturing confidence and unity, essential elements for achieving success on the global stage.
