Larocque set for Olympic return at Milano Cortina games

For the fourth time, Ste Anne’s Jocelyne Larocque will be an Olympian.

Larocque was named to Team Canada’s women’s Olympic roster, which was announced Jan. 9. She has helped Canada to two gold medals and a silver at her three Olympic games.

After just missing out on the final roster for the 2010 Vancouver Games, Larocque has established herself as a stalwart on the Canadian blue-line.

Every player on the Canadian roster currently plays in the PWHL, with Larocque suiting up for Ottawa.

Canada general manger Gina Kingsbury leaned on experience, selecting 16 players who won gold at the 2022 Olympics.

“Paring down the roster to the final group to represent Canada is always a challenging process,” Kingsbury said in a Hockey Canada news release.

“We began the year with 30 athletes who trained with us throughout the season, while also evaluating a deep pool of talented players, ensuring every decision was carefully considered. We are confident we have selected a highly motivated and eager group who take great pride and passion in wearing the Maple Leaf. It has been a long four-year journey for our entire team, and we are excited for the opportunity to compete for a gold medal at the Olympics.”

Winnipeg’s Kati Tabin is the only other Manitoban on the roster. The duo will be in action in their home province March 22, as Montreal and Ottawa play at the CanadaLife Centre as part of the PWHL’s Takeover Tour.

The women’s Olympic hockey tournament will begin Feb. 5, with Canada in a group alongside Czechia, Finland, Switzerland and the United States.