Born: 1979
Biography:
Caroline Ouellette OC, born on May 25, 1979, is a Canadian retired ice hockey player and the current associate head coach of the Concordia Stingers women’s ice hockey program. She has made significant contributions to women’s ice hockey and has a long list of achievements to her name.
From a young age, Ouellette displayed a passion for hockey and started playing at the age of nine. She quickly developed her skills and became an exceptional player. Ouellette played for Team Quebec at the 1995 Canada Winter Games and won gold for Canada’s Under 18 team in 1997. Her talent and dedication caught the attention of scouts, and when the Canadian Under 19 women’s hockey team was founded in 1996, Ouellette was selected as one of the players. Joining her in the team was future Olympic speed skater Cindy Klassen. Under the guidance of head coach Daniele Sauvageau, Ouellette continued to excel in her sport.
Ouellette’s international career reached great heights. She has represented Canada in numerous prestigious tournaments and has amassed an impressive collection of medals. Ouellette participated in three Olympic Games, winning four consecutive gold medals. Alongside teammates Jayna Hefford and Hayley Wickenheiser, she is one of only five athletes to achieve this extraordinary feat. Ouellette also holds the distinction of being one of only three women in the Triple Gold Club, a group of players who have won the Clarkson Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and an IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medal. Her record includes four Olympic gold medals, twelve IIHF Women’s World Championship medals (six gold, six silver), and twelve Four Nations Cup medals (eight gold, four silver).
With 157 international games under her belt, Ouellette has accumulated 169 points while representing Team Canada. She has been a key contributor in many important games, such as scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the United States in the final game of the 2012 IIHF Women’s World Championship, securing the gold medal for Canada. Her remarkable achievements and consistent performance have cemented her status as one of the all-time greats in women’s hockey.
Apart from her playing career, Ouellette has left a lasting impact on the sport in various other roles. She co-founded athletichub.com, a platform that assists student-athletes in navigating the recruitment process. Ouellette is also an ambassador for Right to Play and Carrément Rose, organizations dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals through sports.
Caroline Ouellette retired from Canada’s national women’s team on September 25, 2018, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her remarkable accomplishments and contributions to women’s ice hockey have been recognized, and in 2023, she is set to be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. Ouellette’s dedication, skill, and determination have inspired a new generation of female hockey players.
Awards:
– Four Olympic gold medals
– Six IIHF Women’s World Championship gold medals
– Six IIHF Women’s World Championship silver medals
– Eight Four Nations Cup gold medals
– Four Four Nations Cup silver medals
– Four Clarkson Cup championships