Larocque seeking further success wearing Maple Leaf

Ste Anne’s Jocelyne Larocque has turned wearing the Maple Leaf into an annual tradition.

The defender has now played over 100 games for Team Canada at the senior level, including last year’s world championship, where she helped Canada to a gold medal.

Larocque and the Canadians will be seeking to defend that championship this week, as they travel to Czechia for the 2025 edition of the tournament.

With the 2026 Olympics fast approaching, the World Championship takes on a more important meaning.

“This is our final opportunity to face a number of opponents and compete at the highest level as part of our preparation,” Team Canada general manager Gina Kingsbury said in a news release.

“We are excited about the team we have assembled to contend for a gold medal while also looking long-term on the road to Milan.”

It’s been a whirlwind season for Larocque playing in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Kingsbury, who is also the Toronto Sceptres general manager, actually traded the veteran defenseman to Ottawa in the league’s first-ever blockbuster deal.

The Sceptres, which feature fellow Ste Anne native Raygan Kirk in goal, have vaulted up the standings after a slow start, and now sit second, only behind Montreal. Larocque’s Ottawa Charge are in fourth.

Canada opens the tournament with a game against Finland April 10. Games will be broadcast on TSN. In the PWHL, the final game of the regular season will be May 3, as Ottawa and Toronto are set to play.