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Marie-Philip Poulin

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Marie-Philip Poulin is a professional ice hockey centre and a prominent leader in the sport.

She currently serves as the captain for the Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She also holds the captaincy for the Canada women's national ice hockey team. Many people call her "Captain Clutch" because of her ability to score in vital moments. She has scored the winning goal in three different Olympic gold medal games. These goals occurred in 2010, 2014, and 2022. This achievement allowed her to complete an unprecedented "golden goal hat trick" at major international championships.

Poulin's journey began in Beauceville, Quebec, where she was raised by her parents, Robert and Danye.

Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292)
Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292)

She actually started her athletic life as a figure skater at age four. However, her older brother, Pier-Alexandre, inspired her to switch to ice hockey at age five. She often recalls playing hockey outdoors with him as a favorite childhood memory. Her passion for the professional game grew while watching the 2002 Winter Olympics on television. During those games, the Canadian women's team won their first gold medal in over 50 years.

Her professional career started very early in her life. At age 16, she made her debut with the Montreal Stars in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL).

20080210 Marie-Philip Poulin bench
20080210 Marie-Philip Poulin bench

In her first season, she led all rookies with 22 goals and 21 assists. She later moved to the United States to play college hockey for the Boston University Terriers. During her time at Boston, she became the first player to win the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award in 2011. She also set records for points and goals during her time with the Terriers. Even a shoulder fracture could not stop her from playing during the 2011–12 season.

After college, Poulin returned to the CWHL to play for Les Canadiennes de Montréal. She was a dominant force in this league and won the Clarkson Cup twice. She was also named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times. In 2016, she won the inaugural Jayna Hefford Trophy for being the league's MVP. She also earned the Angela James Bowl as the top scorer. Her success in Montreal helped establish her as one of the greatest players in the world.

In 2019, the landscape of women's hockey changed when the CWHL collapsed. Poulin joined the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) to help players. This non-profit group worked to increase the professionalization of women's hockey.

Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292)
Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292)

Poulin played a key role in negotiating the collective bargaining agreement for a new league. Her goal was to create a viable professional league for herself and the next generation. This hard work eventually led to the creation of the PWHL in 2023.

In the new PWHL, Poulin signed with the Montreal team, which later became the Montreal Victoire. She was named the team captain and helped lead them to a second-place finish in the inaugural season. During the 2024–25 season, she won the Billie Jean King Most Valuable Player award. She also earned the league's Top Goal Scorer award with 19 goals in 30 games. Her excellence has earned her many top honors in Canada. She was the first female hockey player to win the Northern Star Award as Canada's top athlete of the year.

Poulin's impact on the sport is measured by her incredible statistics and leadership. She is the first person to score 20 Olympic goals in modern ice hockey. She has earned three Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles. In 2025, she was named the IIHF Female Player of the Year. Her career shows how an athlete can drive change for an entire sport. Through her skill and her advocacy, she has helped build a new era for women in hockey.

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File:20080210 Marie-Philip Poulin bench.jpg
20080210 Marie-Philip Poulin bench.jpg
File:Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292).jpg
Jenner Sunohara Poulin (48778835292).jpg
File:240106 MN Montreal JohnMc032 (53446848207).jpg
240106 MN Montreal JohnMc032 (53446848207).jpg
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