Marie-Philip Poulin
Introduction
Marie-Philip Poulin (born March 28, 1991, in Beauceville, Quebec) is a distinguished Canadian professional ice hockey player, renowned for her exceptional achievements on both national and international stages. Serving as the captain of both the Montreal Victoire in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and the Canadian national women's ice hockey team, Poulin has earned the nickname "Captain Clutch" for her consistent performance in critical moments.
Early Life and Career
Poulin's hockey journey commenced at a young age, leading her to prominence during her tenure with the Montreal Stars in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) during the 2007–08 season. Despite participating in only 16 games, she led all rookies with an impressive 43 points, comprising 22 goals and 21 assists. Her outstanding performance as a 16-year-old rookie positioned her as a runner-up in the league's Most Valuable Player voting.
Collegiate Achievements
Continuing her ascent, Poulin joined the Boston University Terriers women's ice hockey program in the 2010–11 season. She made an immediate impact, leading all NCAA freshmen in goals and points per game during October 2010. Throughout her collegiate career, she consistently demonstrated her prowess, culminating in her role as team captain in the 2014–15 season, where she guided the Terriers to their fourth consecutive Hockey East championship.
Professional Endeavors
After her collegiate career, Poulin returned to the CWHL, playing for Les Canadiennes de Montréal. She captained the team to a Clarkson Cup championship in 2017, contributing two pivotal goals in the final. Following the dissolution of the CWHL, she became a key figure in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), advocating for the professionalization of women's hockey. In 2023, Poulin signed with the Montreal Victoire in the newly established PWHL, continuing her influential presence in professional women's hockey.
International Success
Poulin's international career is marked by remarkable achievements, including three Olympic gold medals (2010, 2014, 2022) and multiple World Championship titles. Notably, she holds the unique record of scoring game-winning goals in three Olympic gold medal games, underscoring her reputation as a clutch performer. Since 2015, she has served as the captain of Team Canada, leading the team to continued success on the world stage.
Personal Life
Beyond the rink, Poulin has contributed to the sport as a player development consultant for the Montreal Canadiens, starting in June 2022. In her personal life, she announced her engagement to fellow hockey player Laura Stacey in May 2023, and they married in September 2024.
Legacy
Marie-Philip Poulin's career exemplifies excellence, leadership, and a profound impact on women's ice hockey, inspiring future generations of athletes.
Read What's in the video
Marie-Philip Poulin is the only hockey player in history — male or female — to have scored the game-winning goal in three Olympic gold medal finals (2010, 2014, and 2022). In this video, you can hear her mic’d up as she leads Montreal Victoire to a 4–3 victory against the Toronto Sceptres. Her leadership, communication, and sense of humor shine throughout the match.
In the video, Poulin can be heard keeping her teammates energized, giving clear instructions, and even joking: “I like hugs, but NOT here!” Her blend of tactical awareness and humor helps set the tone for the entire team. As captain of both the Montreal Victoire and Team Canada, she is widely respected on and off the ice.
In 2017, Poulin captained Les Canadiennes de Montréal to a Clarkson Cup championship. She scored two crucial goals in the final, demonstrating her consistent ability to perform under pressure. This performance solidified her reputation as one of the greatest clutch players in women's hockey.