As announced by Hockey Canada yesterday (Jul. 30), University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey head coach Vicky Sunohara has been appointed head coach of Canada's National Women's Development Team for the 2026-27 season.

Sunohara takes over the reins of the national development team after serving as head coach of the U18 Canadian Women's National Team over the past two seasons. During her time with the U18 program, Canada claimed gold at the 2025 U18 Women's World Championship and silver at the 2026 edition. Serving as an assistant with the team prior to that, she also helped Canada to bronze in 2024 and gold in 2022.

Sunohara is set to begin her 16^th season as head coach of the Varsity Blues women's hockey program this fall. Taking over the program in 2011, she has accumulated an overall record of 331-142-41 (W-L-OTL) for a winning percentage of .643. Under her leadership the team has won three OUA titles (2020, 2023, 2025) and earned U SPORTS national bronze (2025) and silver (2024). For her efforts, she has earned both OUA and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours three times.

A two-time Olympic gold-medalist, Sunohara served as an assistant captain for seven years with Team Canada before retiring from international competition in 2008. In total as a player, she won 15 gold and two silver medals with the Canadian national team.

In addition to Sunohara's appointment, the Varsity Blue also saw additional representation on the staff as U of T women's hockey video coach will also be included as a video coach with the developmental team.

The Canadian National Women's Development Team will compete in an annual three-game series versus the USA later this summer in Richmond, B.C. Games are scheduled for August 12, 13, and 15.