Walter Cup-winning bench boss Kori Cheverie has new task at hand.
The Montreal Victoire coach has been named the new head coach of Canada at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, Hockey Canada announced on Thursday. Cheverie was an assistant under the outgoing Troy Ryan at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She also was on the bench for Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics and three IIHF worlds.
Joining her on the bench will be her club assistant and Canada great Caroline Ouellette and PWHL Hamilton’s Kris Sparre.
“Growing up playing hockey in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, I had big dreams of one day being part of Team Canada,” Cheverie said in a statement. “I didn’t know then that my path would be through coaching, and I am extremely grateful that this journey has now given me the opportunity to lead this program. I am excited to work alongside an amazing group of athletes and staff as we continue building together. With the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship in front of us in November, I cannot wait to get to work, compete for Canada and continue pushing this program forward.”
On top of the appointment of Cheverie, Hockey Canada announced the arrival of Stanley Cup-winning head coach Bruce Cassidy as an advisor to general manager Danielle Sauvageau, as well as Manon Rheaume and Michael Hirshfeld as assistant GMs.
“Bringing Bruce onto our staff is a win for our program. His wealth of elite hockey experience and deep-rooted legacy with Hockey Canada make him an invaluable asset,” Sauvageau said. “We are fortunate to have his leadership guiding our coaches and support staff as we establish a standard.”
Cassidy, who led the Vegas Golden Knights to a title in 2023 and won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach with the Boston Bruins in 2020, previously served as an assistant coach under Jon Cooper at the 2026 Winter Olympics. As a player, he represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels.
Rheaume is the inaugural GM of PWHL Detroit. As a player, she won gold with Canada at a pair of worlds and silver at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Hirshfeld is set to enter his fourth season as GM of the Ottawa Charge.
Canada will hold a selection camp in Quebec City beginning on Oct. 8. This year’s worlds are set to begin in Denmark on Nov. 6.
