Keeping the faith: Canada sticks with Church for Women’s National Team

After a 9-2 loss to the U.S. Women's National Team to open the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship in Burlington, Vt., it seemed like head coach Dan Church was on thin ice with Hockey Canada. That was, of course, until the Canadian Women's National Team stormed back to claim their first gold medal at the tournament since 2007.

On Wednesday, Hockey Canada announced that Church, head coach of the York University women's team, will remain at the helm through 2014. Church will have the chance to lead his squad as they defend their 2012 IIHF title in Ottawa in 2013 and look to win their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

In addition to Church, Hockey Canada also announced that Danielle Goyette, a former national team player, will retain her position as assistant coach. Goyette recently lead the University of Calgary women's team to their first ever CIS national championship. The remainder of the coaching staff is expected to be announced at a later date.

"We plan to keep building on our world championship win in Burlington by becoming a faster, stronger team and achieving even more success on international ice," said Church at a press conference on Wednesday.