CALGARY, Alta. – Marie-Philip Poulin has been selected to lead the Canadian women’s hockey contingent at the upcoming 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
The two-time Olympic gold-medallist from Beauceville, Que., has worn the ‘C’ for Canada since the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship and will be joined on the leadership team by three-time Olympic gold-medallist Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, Ont.), and 2014 Olympic gold-medallists Brianne Jenner (Oakville, Ont./Calgary, CWHL) and Jocelyne Larocque (Ste. Anne, Man./Markham, CWHL).
“This is a collaborative group of leaders that continue to inspire and unite our team season after season,” said head coach Laura Schuler. “We’re confident in the abilities of this group and we know they will be successful at guiding the many layers of leadership that we have throughout our team.”
Canada’s 23-player roster includes 14 players who won the gold medal at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia; six players who won the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.; and one player who won the gold medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
“It’s an honour to be selected to lead this group at the Olympic Winter Games and to wear the ‘C’ after so many inspirational leaders that have come before me,” said Poulin. “This is a special group of 23 players and we’re excited to hit the ice together for the first time in South Korea in a few days.”
Poulin, 26, is the fifth player chosen to lead Canada’s National Women’s Team at the Olympic Winter Games. Caroline Ouellette (2014), Hayley Wickenheiser (2010), Cassie Campbell (2006, 2002) and Stacey Wilson (1998) also captained Canada.
Canada will look to win its fifth-straight gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games when the puck drops in South Korea on Feb. 11. In addition to its four gold medals, the Canadian Women’s Olympic Hockey Team also claimed silver in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
The Olympic women’s hockey tournament opens on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Kwandong Hockey Centre and culminates on Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Gangneung Hockey Centre. Canada is scheduled to compete in Group A and begins preliminary-round play on Sunday, Feb. 11.