Former player Laura Schuler to coach Canada's Olympic women's hockey team

Team Canada coach Laura Schuler in Kamloops, B.C., on March 31, 2016. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

CALGARY -- Laura Schuler will coach the Canadian women's hockey team at next year's Winter Olympics.

The 46-year-old from Toronto is tasked with leading Canada to a fifth straight gold medal in women's hockey.

She's the first former player to coach the team.

Schuler played for Canada in 1998 when women's hockey made its Olympic debut.

With Schuler behind the bench, Canada lost in overtime to the United States in the finals of the last two world championships.

Hockey Canada is expected to announce the 28 players invited to try out for the Olympic team on Thursday.