Poulin named Canada’s athlete of the year

Stefan Tonev

Sports Editor

Last Updated: Dec 7 | 9:26 PM

3 min read

Poulin named Canada’s athlete of the year

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“Captain Clutch” became the first female hockey player honored with the award

Marie-Philip Poulin has cemented her status as a big game performer and one of the best female players of the hockey history after being named this year’s recipient of the award given annually to Canada’s athlete of the year.

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Congratulations to National Women's Team captain Marie-Philip Poulin for becoming the first women's hockey player EVER to win the Northern Star Award as Canada's top athlete!@pou29 | @HockeyQuebec pic.twitter.com/APRtjebJ7d

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 7, 2022

The 31-year-old captain of Canada’s women’s team, who led her team to Olympic and world championship gold in 2022, became the first female hockey player honored with the award.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was the first one,” she said in a video conference. “It’s a real honour because the ladies have been there before us, before me, I’ve watched them on TV. They’re my idols and my role models.”

“Obviously I’m not going to be the only one,” she added.

Poulin, at the age of 18, had been the youngest member of the team that won gold at Vancouver 2010. Four years later, she was Canada’s leading scorer with three goals and two assists at Sochi 2014.

“Captain Clutch” was given the honour of being Team Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer, alongside short track speed skater Charles Hamelin.

She went on to become the first hockey player — male or female — to score in four Olympic gold medal games.

Poulin scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner, in the final against the United States. She finished the tournament with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, second only to teammate Sarah Nurse for the scoring lead.