Roster unveiled for Rivalry Series games in February

From teammates to school hockey opponents, Nicole and Julia Gosling are reuniting on the ice as teammates as soon as once more when Canada’s National Women’s
Team resumes the Rivalry Series on residence ice.

The London, Ontario, cousins are wanting ahead to reconnecting on one other
Team Canada squad because the Canadians look to make an impression in opposition to the United
States in marquee match-ups in Kitchener and Sarnia.

“I’m tremendous excited. Anytime you get to place that jersey on is a good
feeling, however to have the ability to do it at this degree is a dream come true,” Nicole
says.

Nicole, a 5-foot-7 defender and Julia, a 5-foot-11 ahead, final performed
along with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team in a three-game
sequence in opposition to the U.S. in August 2022. They additionally shared the ice with the
National Women’s Under-18 Team in 2019, serving to Canada to a gold medal at
the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. Both are wanting ahead to being
on the identical aspect and discovering their earlier chemistry.

“The chemistry is all the time there—she will all the time discover me, and I all the time know
the place she is,” Julia says. “We can learn one another very properly on the ice. It
will likely be good to not should go up in opposition to her, but in addition to have our household
round to see us play collectively once more.”

The U18 Women’s Worlds expertise was a spotlight for each Goslings, and
seeing Julia make her nationwide group debut throughout the 2021-22 Olympic
centralization was a second of pleasure for Nicole. Despite being opponents
these days, the household ties are sturdy.

“Our first yr taking part in for Team Canada was the yr we gained gold and that
was a particular expertise,” Nicole says. “I’ve watched Julia have her success
the yr earlier than when she made the group. With her being a yr older, I’m
in a position to watch from her experiences and hopefully be capable of observe her.
Anytime I get to play together with her, it’s particular not just for us, however for our
household as properly.”

While Nicole made her debut with Canada’s National Women’s
Team on residence ice in Kitchener, Julia is representing Canada for a 3rd time within the
Rivalry Series.

“There are completely different roles on the group, and it is very important be a sponge
and absorb as a lot info as potential,” Nicole says. “I wish to acquire
as a lot info as I can once I’m round these gamers and coaches.
Julia has all the time shared nice issues and I can’t wait to expertise that for
myself.”

It’s been a busy faculty yr for each Goslings—Julia is a senior at St.
Lawrence University and is third in ECAC scoring with 29 factors, whereas
Nicole is a senior at Clarkson University and is sixth in assists. Their
groups sit third and fourth in a decent race within the ECAC standings, so
reuniting as teammates on Team Canada is a pleasant change of tempo for the
cousins.

“I do know she will likely be just a little nervous about making her debut, however she is going to
be taught on her personal—she’s sensible and chill. I believe she is going to do properly, however I’ll
be there to assist her by means of it,” Julia shares. “We’ve been taking part in in opposition to
one another so usually now that it looks like there that’s further
competitiveness when your loved ones, however it’s all love although. We need every
different to achieve success.”

The cousins are solely a yr aside and have all the time been shut—their fathers
are an identical twins and their households reside solely quarter-hour aside in
London—but it surely was hockey that bonded them even additional.

“When we have been youthful, we have been each shy children and hockey is what introduced us
collectively,” Julia says.

Representing Canada with the National Women’s Team is just not solely a dream come
true, however it’s further particular having the ability to do it so near residence.
Kitchener and Sarnia are simply over an hour away from their hometown. They
anticipate many members of the family and associates with Gosling jerseys within the
stands, which makes this reunion much more particular.

“I believe we may have numerous Goslings within the stands. It will likely be nice to
have that help so shut,” Julia says. “Having Nicole and I on the identical
group when these video games are so near house is simply the most effective.”

“Hockey is all the time about connections and making friendships however doing it with
a member of the family makes it that rather more particular,” Nicole provides. “Having that
help within the crowd will likely be particular.”

The Rivalry Series performs an necessary function in how Canada and the United
States choose their remaining rosters for the IIHF Women’s World Championship.
Julia and Nicole are hoping to showcase their talent and earn their subsequent
alternative to put on the Maple Leaf.

“This has always been our dream to play at the next level together,” Nicole
says. “Now that we’re right here, we wish to profit from it and help every
different.”