Taylor Fox, a two-time World Championships gold medalist and Olympic champion, is preparing for her fifth appearance at the Women's World Championships this November in Denmark. The 26-year-old forward from Lake City, Minnesota, will join the U.S. training camp in Plymouth, Michigan, starting October 23 as Team USA aims to defend its gold medals from both the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Fox, who played for Red Wing High School and the University of Minnesota, describes herself as an "in-between" veteran alongside longtime friend Grace Zumwinkle. Both players are expected to be among the 25 players selected from the 31 invited to camp, with coach John Wroblewski emphasizing that complacency will not be tolerated as the team competes for top honors once again.
“I would call myself a 'vet' on this team only in the fact that I've played in a few,” Fox said. “But when you look at Hilary [Knight] playing—what?—15? There are just so many vets that we have. I always say Grace and I are this in-between age. We're not the young'ns, but we're not really vets.”
Fox’s international resume includes four World Championship medals—two gold, two silver—and a gold medal from her Olympic debut earlier this year in Italy. Her experience in high-stakes tournaments is balanced by the presence of more seasoned veterans like Hilary Knight, a five-time Olympic medalist.
The U.S. team will use the week-long training camp to sharpen its lineup and build chemistry ahead of the tournament running from November 6 to 16. Fox credits the recent Olympic success for boosting the group’s confidence and cohesion.
“The Olympics was such a powerful tournament for our group that there’s so much to go off of and learn from,” she said. “We’re just really excited to get together.”
In addition to her international play, Fox has been a standout in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) with the Minnesota Frost. Although the Frost lost in a tight five-game semifinal series to the Montreal team that ultimately won the Walter Cup, Fox sees the defeat as a learning opportunity for the team.
“I think of it in a different perspective than most,” she said. “Sometimes losing is what needs to happen for change. And I think with the expansion [the league doubled from six to 12 teams this season], winning twice, we were probably the only team in the league that was the most hated by every team.”
Fox believes the league’s rapid expansion benefits both players and fans, despite the challenges it posed to team continuity. The Frost’s roster was split up as the PWHL added four new franchises ahead of its fourth season.
“I lose my friends on the Frost. I want to stay on the all-star team we had in Year 1, Year 2,” she said. “But that’s not going to help the league, and it’s not going to help youth in Minnesota and the U.S. So I see it in both directions.”
On Monday, Fox returned to southeastern Minnesota to coach a captains’ practice for local high school girls, then spent time signing autographs and posing for photos with fans at Dodge County Ice Arena. She displayed her blue Team USA Olympic jersey alongside her gold medal and PWHL championship ring.
Fox’s 2026 also included personal milestones, marrying former University of Minnesota basketball player Parker Fox in August. She insists her focus on the international stage remains sharp despite the busy year.
“I never let myself get complacent,” she said. “I think our coach looks at it as, if we are complacent in camp before going into the Worlds, he will cut people and change the team.”
As Team USA assembles in Michigan this week, Fox and her teammates will face the challenge of defending two recent titles while navigating a shifting landscape in women’s professional hockey. The roster will be finalized after the camp concludes on October 30.
According to Yahoo Sports.
