Why Emerance Maschmeyer is Team Canada's Best Goalie

Emerance Maschmeyer has been a cornerstone of Team Canada’s goaltending depth since her debut with the senior national team in 2015. Now 30 years old and playing for the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL, Maschmeyer has once again proven at the 2024-25 Rivalry Series that she is Canada’s best goalie and the clear choice to start at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games.

Hailing from Bruderheim, Alberta, Maschmeyer’s journey with Team Canada began in 2011-12 when she played for the U-18 team alongside Elaine Chuli. In the 2012 U-18 Women’s World Championship, she posted an astounding .984 save percentage in three games, an early indicator of her elite potential.

Her transition to the NCAA at Harvard University only solidified her status as a rising star. Over four seasons (2012-16), she consistently maintained a save percentage above .935, including a career-best .943 in both her junior and senior years. Her collegiate career earned her international opportunities, leading to her first senior Women’s World Championship appearance in 2015.

Maschmeyer’s tenure with Team Canada has been defined by her ability to step up in high-pressure situations. She has been a part of every Women’s World Championship team since 2015 (except 2018), demonstrating her consistent presence at the highest level of international competition.

In the 2016 Women’s World Championship, she posted a stellar .956 save percentage with a 1.25 goals-against average (GAA) across three games. Despite Canada finishing with silver, her performance made a lasting impression as a future starter.

Over the years, she continued to build her international resume, delivering standout performances at the 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Women’s World Championships. Her most recent campaign at the 2024 Worlds saw her finish with a .971 save percentage and a 0.50 GAA numbers that showcase her continued dominance at the highest level.

Maschmeyer was part of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the Olympic level at the 2022 Beijing Games, serving as a reliable backup. However, as she heads toward the 2026 Olympics, her performances in international play and her experience position her as the best candidate for the starting role.

Maschmeyer’s professional career further strengthens her case as Team Canada’s best goalie. She has played in the CWHL, PWHPA, and now the PWHL, consistently proving her ability to adapt and excel in different leagues. In the 2024 PWHL season with Ottawa, she posted a .915 save percentage and a 2.30 GAA across 23 games despite playing behind a developing team.

She has improved her numbers in the 2024-25 season, boasting a .925 save percentage in 12 games. Her ability to make key saves in crucial moments has kept the Charge competitive, reinforcing her reputation as an elite netminder and potential MVP candidate.

Maschmeyer is not just the best option for Team Canada; she is objectively better than Ann-Renée Desbiens, Corinne Schroeder, and Kristen Campbell. While Desbiens has had strong performances in key tournaments, Maschmeyer’s consistency, technical skills, and ability to perform under pressure set her apart. Schroeder and Campbell, while talented, have not demonstrated the same level of elite play on the international stage as Maschmeyer has over the years.

As the 2026 Olympics approach, Canada has several talented goaltenders in the mix, but none have the track record, skillset, and recent form that Maschmeyer brings. With her experience, elite-level play, and proven ability to rise to the occasion, she has earned the starting role for Team Canada. When the puck drops in Milano Cortina next year, Maschmeyer should be in the crease, leading Canada’s quest for another gold medal.