The Canadian Women's National Hockey Team is in shock after the U.S. Women's National Team announced they will not be attending the event which begins later on this month.

That according to Ste. Anne's Jocelyne Larocque who is on Team Canada. She notes they were surprised to hear that the American team is boycotting the event in an effort to receive fair pay and treatment.

"We really had no idea that they were so unhappy with their circumstances and how things were going, and it was definitely a shock. They are our biggest rival, right now we are just continuing along like we normally would. We have training camp on the 23rd and we are still going to that and everything is staying on par right now."

Larocque says discussions of equality and pay do come up from time to time and they have made negotiations with the Hockey Canada, but generally speaking, they are quite happy with how they are treated. She adds they have never even considered boycotting an event like this, but things must be different for Team U.S.A.

"I am a strong believer in equality and I think myself, my teammates and even Hockey Canada, we do promote that and the sport has made a lot of gains positively towards equality. Is it perfect? No, but is it moving in the right direction? Yes. I am proud of where Hockey Canada has come and where Women's hockey has come in Canada."

Larocque says she knows a few of the players on Team U.S.A. Personally but hasn't heard from them. She says they will find out soon enough if the American's will be bringing any team.