PWHL Detroit's first ever player, Daryl Watts, is among the 25 players named to Canada’s women's national team for the 2026 IIHF Women’s World Championship, the team announced Monday, Oct. 19.
Watts, who signed a four-year deal to play in Detroit ahead of the team's first season, rounds out the roster of 25 athletes.
“We are thankful for all of the athletes who attended training camp last week in Quebec City and provided intense competition ahead of the world championship. Heading into the first international competition of this Olympic quadrennial, we are thrilled to have such amazing talent within our program,” said Canadian general manager Danièle Sauvageau.
Manon Rhéaume, the GM of PWHL Detroit and who in 1992, made history when she appeared in an NHL exhibition game, was also named among several general managers on the team.
Watts, 27, played the last two seasons with the Toronto Sceptres and is one of the best players in the young league's history, ranking second all-time in goals (32) and tied for third in points (63).
She played college hockey for Wisconsin and Boston College and made her Olympic debut earlier this year for Team Canada, scoring two goals and adding six assists en route to a silver medal.
MORE: Dylan Larkin has given Detroit Red Wings 10 teams as trade options
“We are excited about the players who have been named to Team Canada as we compete for a gold medal in Denmark, while looking at the long-term success of our program.”
The Canadians will be joined in Group B at Women’s Worlds by host Denmark, Finland, Japan and Sweden, while Group A includes Austria, Czechia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Canada will be on the ice in Windsor, Ontario on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and in Plymouth, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 30 for pre-tournament games against the United States.
In 24 appearances at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, Canada has won 13 gold medals. The U.S. has won 11.
PWHL Detroit will open the season at Little Caesars Arena, starting in late November or early December.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: PWHL Detroit star Daryl Watts named to Team Canada