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“Our players are able to train full time and they continue to get stronger and stronger. You see that reflected on the ice now in their abilities of what they can do with their skill set.”

Historically one of the knocks on the women’s game was the lack of offensive finish, largely an issue of upper body strength when directly comparing men to women. That too has begun to change, a product of speed and technology mixed with advances in training.

“The number one thing that stands out that is that the younger girls the game at an incredible speed,” second-time Olympian Brianne Jenner said. “But I think the skill and the shots are improving as well. That’’s true on the men’s side with the technology now.

“Guys have more upper body strength, that’s always been the case. But you see the younger girls coming through our program and the shots are certainly improving. People can really shoot the puck at this level.”

The Canadian women’s program also benefits from its development program, which requires prospective Olympic players to report to Calgary on Aug. 1 the year prior to the Games. The training is rigorous, the coaching intense and the world-class athletes the program produces is evident.

The rosters of both the Canadian and U.S. teams are loaded with players who competed at top NCAA schools, another positive move forward for the quality of hockey that will be on display when the women’s tournament starts on Saturday.

“It’s crazy. I think about my first Olympics and I look at the team now … the game and the players just keep getting better and better,” said veteran Meaghan Mikkelson, who has been part of the national team since 2007. “The way we are playing it with different systems, the quality and the level of competitiveness just keeps improving.

“The players are just bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled. I look at our younger players and they are phenomenal and they bring a completely different element than I feel I brought as a younger player

“It’s pretty cool to have been a part of the team 10 years ago and just see where things have come from. It’s so encouraging to see the women’s game continue to grow.”

rlongley@postmedia.com