Marie-Philip Poulin Aims for Fifth Olympic Gold in Milan

Marie-Philip Poulin, known as Canada’s “Captain Clutch,” is poised to compete in her fifth Winter Olympics, aiming to add to her impressive record of Olympic success in ice hockey. Poulin, who made her Olympic debut in 2010, has reached the gold medal final in each of her previous four appearances and has won three gold medals. She is the only athlete, male or female, to score in four consecutive Olympic gold medal matches.

Poulin’s remarkable ability to perform under pressure has earned her the nickname “Captain Clutch.” This reputation stems from her knack for scoring crucial goals, including three game-winning goals in Olympic finals. Her journey began in 2007 when she made her senior debut for Canada at just 16 years old, scoring four goals and providing one assist in two games against Sweden. The following year, she was the top scorer at the inaugural under-18 world championship.

Historic Olympic Journey

In 2010, Poulin was selected for the Olympic team despite being a rookie among seasoned players. She made an immediate impact, scoring twice in the final against the United States, leading Canada to a 2-0 victory. Four years later, in Sochi, she once again proved decisive, scoring a critical goal in the final minute of the third period, which allowed Canada to equalize and later win in overtime.

The 2018 Olympics saw Poulin take on the role of captain. Although Canada lost to the U.S. in a shootout, she had already contributed significantly by scoring the opening goal. Poulin’s determination shone through in the 2022 Beijing Games, where she scored twice in a thrilling 3-2 victory over the U.S. in the final.

At the age of 34, Poulin heads to the Milan Cortina Olympics with a wealth of experience and accolades, including being named the IIHF Female Player of the Year and the MVP of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Despite Canada missing out on gold at the Women’s World Championship, she led the tournament in scoring and was awarded MVP.

Looking Ahead to Milan Cortina

Canada has historically excelled in women’s ice hockey, claiming five of the seven gold medals since the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic programme in 1998. As Poulin prepares for what may be her final Olympics, the pressure mounts, but she embraces it. In a recent interview with Canadian Press, she stated, “There is pressure. For myself, it’s just part of it. I’ve learned to embrace it. You get to be in those moments for a reason.”

Poulin emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving success, stating, “Sometimes I’m in those big moments, but hockey’s a team sport. I’m not there by myself. When you get in those moments, nowadays I’m more enjoying it.” As Canada enters the Milan Cortina Olympics, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on their captain once again, and if her past performances are any indication, Poulin will be at the heart of the action.