Born: 1991 (Canada)
Marie-Philip Poulin (born March 28, 1991) is a Canadian ice hockey forward for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and captain of the Canada women’s national ice hockey team. A three-time Olympic and three-time World champion with the Canadian national team, Poulin famously scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal games in three out of four of the Olympics in which she competed (2010, 2014 and 2022), for which she was dubbed Captain Clutch by her teammates and the media. Following another game-winning goal at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship, she completed an unprecedented golden goal hat trick at major international championships. Since 2015 she has served as the captain of Team Canada, leading them to a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Professionally, Poulin played for and captained Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the now-defunct Canadian Women’s Hockey League, before joining the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association. While playing with Les Canadiennes she won the Clarkson Cup twice and was named CWHL MVP three times. She is the first female hockey player to win the Northern Star Award as Canada’s top athlete of the year, and the second to receive the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as The Canadian Press’ female athlete of the year. She is widely considered to be the best women’s hockey star of all-time.
Poulin’s hockey career began with the Montreal Stars of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in the 2007-08 season. Despite only playing in 16 games, she led all rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 21 assists. Her dominant performance as a 16-year-old rookie earned her a runner-up finish in the CWHL Most Valuable Player vote by club captains. Poulin also received the Montreal Canadiens scholarship program in January 2008.
In the following season, Poulin played both with her school team, Dawson College, and as an associate player with the Stars. At the end of the season, she played a crucial role in helping the Stars win the Clarkson Cup over the Minnesota Whitecaps in March 2009, assisting on a goal in the championship game.
Poulin’s talent and skill caught the attention of the hockey community, and she made her debut with the Boston University Terriers women’s ice hockey program in the 2010-11 season. She quickly made an impact, scoring her first goal of her NCAA career on October 2, 2010, during a game against North Dakota. In just four games, she tied BU’s single-season record for shorthanded goals. Poulin led all NCAA freshmen in goals (9) and points per game (2.00) during October 2010, establishing herself as a rising star in women’s college hockey.
Throughout her remarkable career, Poulin continued to excel on the international stage. She represented Team Canada in multiple World Championships, capturing gold medals in 2012, 2013, and 2017. Her impressive performances earned her the title of World champion three times. However, it was in the Olympic Games where Poulin truly showcased her ability to perform under pressure.
In the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, at just 18 years old, Poulin scored both goals in the gold medal game against the United States, securing Canada’s victory and earning herself a place in hockey history. Four years later, in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Poulin once again scored the game-winning goal in the gold medal game, this time in overtime, to claim back-to-back Olympic gold medals for Canada. Her clutch performances earned her the nickname Captain Clutch.
Poulin continued to excel in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, scoring the game-winning goal in the gold medal game against the United States. This marked her third consecutive gold medal victory in the Olympics, solidifying her status as a legend in women’s hockey. She became the first player, male or female, to record the game-winning goal in three different Olympic gold medal games. Poulin’s remarkable achievements earned her widespread recognition and admiration, making her one of the most iconic figures in the history of women’s ice hockey.
In addition to her Olympic and World Championship success, Poulin has also made a significant impact in professional women’s hockey. As the captain of Les Canadiennes de Montreal in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, she led the team to two Clarkson Cup championships and was named the league’s MVP three times. After the CWHL folded, Poulin joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and became an influential figure in advocating for the growth and development of women’s hockey.
Off the ice, Poulin is known for her dedication, leadership, and humility. She has been praised for her professionalism and sportsmanship, serving as an inspiration for aspiring female hockey players around the world. Poulin is deeply committed to promoting gender equality in sports and has actively spoken out about the need for more opportunities and resources for women in hockey.
Marie-Philip Poulin’s impact on women’s ice hockey cannot be overstated. Her remarkable achievements, including her Olympic and World Championship success, her role as a leader on and off the ice, and her contributions to the advancement of women’s hockey, have solidified her status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Poulin’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of female athletes, leaving an indelible mark on the world of women’s ice hockey.
Awards:
– Three-time Olympic gold medalist (2010, 2014, 2022)
– Three-time World champion (2012, 2013, 2017)
– Two-time Clarkson Cup champion (2012, 2017)
– CWHL MVP (2013, 2014, 2015)
– Canada’s top athlete of the year (Northern Star Award)
– The Canadian Press’ female athlete of the year (Bobbie Rosenfeld Award)