Field Hockey Canada names Pan Am Games teams

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Field Hockey Canada announced the 16 men and 16 women selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26 in Toronto.

The Pan American Games field hockey competition, which will be held at the new Pan Am Fields at the University of Toronto, serves as an official Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualifying tournament, with both the men’s and women’s winners earning a spot at the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next summer.

The men’s national team, currently ranked 15^th in the world, will enter the tournament as the second-ranked team, behind only world No. 6 Argentina. The Canadian men begin competition on July 14 against Brazil.

The Women’s national team, currently 20^th in the field hockey world rankings, enters the tournament as the third-ranked team, behind world No. 3 Argentina and fifth-ranked United States. The Canadian women begin competition on July 13 against the Dominican Republic.

On the men’s side, Canada and Argentina have met in the last ten Pan Am Games finals, with Argentina winning in 2011 and Canada taking gold in 2007. The Canadian women last reached the podium at Winnipeg 1999, the last time the Pan American Games were held in Canada.

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with more than 700 athletes expected to be named to the Toronto Games. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will offer a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

“Both our men’s and women’s teams are ranked highly against other Pan Am countries, putting them in a strong position heading into these Games,” said Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee in a Field Hockey Canada press release.

"Our guys have worked extremely hard to prepare for the Pan American Games. Contending for a major title on our own turf will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our sport to our home fans and to continue to prepare for our ultimate goal of competing at the Olympic Games," said men’s national team head coach Anthony Farry in the release.

“We’ve played a number of the top teams in the world over the last two years. Now, it’s the last opportunity we have to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. The team we’ve picked represents the best sixteen players in the country at this time for us to achieve that goal,” added women’s national team head coach Ian Rutledge.

"It will be a big honour to play in front of a home crowd in Toronto. We rarely get to play major events with a grandstand full of Canadians, and I'm sure that support will help drive our performance throughout the tournament," said men’s team captain Scott Tupper.

 “To play for Canada on home soil is something I have been looking forward to ever since Toronto was named as host for the 2015 Pan American Games. Wearing the maple leaf on your chest and representing your country is an indescribable feeling of pride,” said Kate Gillis, captain of the women’s national team, “it will be an unforgettable experience.” 

The field hockey teams which will represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Games include:

Men’s National Team:

 *Captain

Coaching and Support Staff:

Women’s National Team:

*Vice-Captain

**Captain

Coaching and Support Staff:

 Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.