Women's Hockey | 10/1/2026 10:00:00 AM

York University Lions women's hockey goaltender Emma Wedgewood is the latest Lion to be selected to the Creating Coaches program, and the first York goaltender upon whom to have the honour bestowed.

Launched in 2021 through a partnership between Hockey Canada, U SPORTS and the Hockey Canada Foundation, Creating Coaches provides opportunities for current U SPORTS women's hockey players to receive training, mentorship, education and an honourarium as assistant coaches for U13, U15 or U18 girls' hockey teams in their respective communities.

"As women's and girls' hockey in Canada continues to set participation records each season, expanding the Creating Coaches program is an important milestone to increase the number of women behind the bench and connect more girls in communities across the country with mentors who continue to compete in U SPORTS hockey," said Marin Hickox, vice-president of women's and girls' hockey for Hockey Canada in the U SPORTS news release announcing the 2026-27 selectees. "This program would not be possible without the generous financial support of the Hockey Canada Foundation, and we look forward to welcoming these 22 incredible women to Creating Coaches and supporting them throughout their coaching journey."

"Creating Coaches gives U SPORTS student-athletes a meaningful opportunity to develop as leaders while helping to shape the next generation of players," U SPORTS CEO Pierre Arsenault said in the release. "We are proud to continue working with Hockey Canada and the Hockey Canada Foundation to expand pathways for women in coaching and strengthen the future of the game across Canada."

Wedgewood, a Kinesiology & Health Science major, joins a list of Lions named to the program that includes former Lions captain and assistant coach, another former bearer of the 'C" in Brooke Anderson, as well as 2026 graduates Lexy Anonech and Ava Ricker-Singh.

"This program is great, and I'm grateful to be part of that," Wedgewood said.

The program has gradually expanded from the original six-player cohort that included McHolm in 2021, to 22 in the latest crop, with one representative from each U SPORTS women's hockey program chosen to participate in the program.

"Women's hockey is at such an exciting point right now," Wedgewood said. "There's more participation than ever, more female leaders, a pro league, and getting to be a coach as part of this program gives me the opportunity to be a part of all that growth, which is very special to me."

The opportunity presents a full circle moment for Wedgewood, who will be coaching with the Leaside Wildcats, a program she played with for three seasons prior to coming to York. She will be coaching alongside Leaside U13 AA head coach Kat McNeilly, who she knew from her days with the program.

"I'm really excited to be a part of the atmosphere of minor hockey again," Wedgewood said. "I want to show the girls the experience I had growing up and be a role model for them, because I know first-hand how much of a difference that can make.

"I've been very fortunate to have coaches like Dan Church and our strength and conditioning coach Justin Staffiere who care so much, and that has inspired me to want to do the same for younger athletes."

Being that she is a goaltender, Wedgewood offers a unique coaching perspective having lived in the crease.

"It's going to help me be aware of what players are doing," she said. "I can see the full game, and I think that's what sets me apart from some of the other coaches.

"I've already developed that sense of being able to see everything, and that gives me the ability to pick up on the smaller details, so I'll be using that when I'm coaching, which also helps with my own game."

Wedgewood, the pride of Innisfil, Ont., whose uncle Scott has carved out an 11-year NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche, reiterated how what the honour means to her as she embarks on her final season as a Lion.

"I'm really grateful for this opportunity, and it all comes back to wanting to give back to the sport that has given me so much," she said. "Hockey has shaped who I am today, and I want to provide that same experience for the next generation.

"I love the game, I love the competition, I love learning, and coaching is something that gives me the chance to give back to something that has given me the experiences and memories I'll have forever, and even though I find so much joy in playing hockey, there's also joy in watching younger athletes fall in love with it for the first time, and being a part of that just puts a smile on my face every time."

Wedgewood and the Lions are in the midst of their non-conference season, with games at Ontario Tech and Toronto scheduled for Friday and Saturday, respectively. They kick off the 2026-27 regular season on home ice Friday, Oct. 16 vs. Western. You can get your tickets at yorkulions.ca/tickets or watch the game live on OUA TV.