CALGARY, AB – Vice-president of hockey operations Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC), who has spent more than five years overseeing Canada’s National Women’s Program, will become the first general manager of the Toronto franchise in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and will depart Hockey Canada.
“Gina’s contributions to Hockey Canada have helped create lifelong memories for millions of Canadian hockey fans and we join them in congratulating her on today’s announcement,” said Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), incoming president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “We are excited to work with Gina and the PWHL to support the upward trajectory of women’s hockey and ensure it continues to grow and inspire the next generation of participants and fans.”
Following a 10-year playing career, Kingsbury joined the Hockey Canada office in June 2016 as director of hockey operations, and officially took over the National Women’s Program on July 10, 2018. She was promoted to vice-president of hockey operations in March 2023, becoming the first woman to hold the title while overseeing the men’s, women’s and para programs.
“I am extremely grateful for all my experiences and time with Hockey Canada. Over the years, I have met the most incredible people through this great game and organization, and I want to thank Hockey Canada for providing me the opportunity to represent my country both as an athlete and a vice-president and general manager,” Kingsbury said. “It has been an honour and a privilege, and one that I will be forever grateful for. While it is beyond difficult to leave behind what I consider a dream job, I believe this is the best opportunity for me and my family, and I look forward to the challenge of continuing to create opportunities in women’s hockey through the PWHL.”
During her tenure, Kingsbury helped lead Canada’s National Women’s Team to back-to-back gold medals at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championships, and added four silver (2016, 2017, 2018, 2023) and one bronze (2019) at Women’s Worlds. She also won silver and gold at the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games, respectively, and helped guide Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team to three gold medals (2019, 2022, 2023) at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, along with four silver (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). Kingsbury also served as an assistant coach at the 2016 U18 Women’s Worlds, winning a silver medal.
“Gina has made a tremendous impact on Hockey Canada, the National Women’s Program and the game across the globe,” said chief operating officer Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB). “While it is difficult to lose a person who has done so much to make our organization successful, we thank Gina for her dedication to our organization for the better part of 17 years.”
As a player, Kingsbury won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2006 and 2010, and collected three gold medals (2001, 2004, 2007) and three silver (2005, 2008, 2009) at the IIHF World Women’s Championship. She also won gold medals at the 2000 3 Nations Tournament and Four Nations Tournament, and at the 2003 Air Canada Cup with Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team. She tallied 86 points (35-51—86) over 137 career games with Team Canada, and currently ranks 20th all-time in points with Canada’s National Women’s Team.
“I cannot thank Gina enough for her contributions to our hockey operations department and the organization as a whole over the past seven years. She has been instrumental in bringing our National Women’s Team back to the top of the IIHF Women’s World Ranking, and implementing a culture within our program that allows athletes and staff to flourish,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of hockey operations. “While it will be difficult to replace someone who brings a strong passion and winning pedigree like Gina does, we wish her all the best in her new role with the PWHL.”
Moving forward, day-to-day operations of the National Women’s Program will be overseen by Salmond as well as members of the organization’s hockey operations department.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.