Called “one of the best moment athletes in the country,” captain of the National Women’s Hockey Team, Marie-Philip Poulin, was voted The Canadian Press’ Female Athlete of the Year.
“It ends the year well,” Poulin told The Canadian Press. When I take a step back and think back to the past year, it’s pretty amazing. Not just from a personal point of view, but from a collective point of view.
“I warmly thank the people who voted, but I must share this honor with the people around me, my teammates,” she added.
The 31-year-old Quebecer became the only hockey player in history to score goals in four consecutive Olympic finals this year, a feat that has never been achieved in men’s hockey.
His two goals, including the game-winner, helped Canada defeat the United States 3-2 in the gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics on February 17.
With his nimble hands, unparalleled hockey sense and an undeniable flair for standing out in dramatic moments, Poulin scored seven goals in his four Olympic finals, including the tying goal and winning goal in overtime at the games in Sochi, Russia. , in 2014.
She led the Canadian team to two consecutive conquests at the 2021 and 2022 World Championships, ending the Americans’ five straight conquests.
After scoring in overtime in the 2021 final in Calgary, Poulin had five goals and as many assists in seven games in September, when Canada defended its title in Denmark.
“Marie-Philip Poulin has put the practice of hockey on the map with finesse, intelligence and grace. Nothing to do with male bullies! said Sylvio Morin, Head of News, EnBeauce.com.
“Poulin played a leading role in one of the greatest team performances in a long time,” said Victoria Times-Colonist sports editor Brian Drewry. She was a leader on and off the rink, not afraid of the limelight. »
The Canadian Press has presented its annual awards to female and male athletes since 1932. The Male Athlete of the Year will be announced on Thursday, while the Team of the Year will be recognized on Friday.
Finishing at the top of the poll conducted by editors and sports commentators across the country with 22 votes out of 48, the 31-year-old hockey player has often been called “the ultimate big game player”.
Swimmer Summer McIntosh placed second, with 10 votes.
Poulin is the second hockey player to receive this honor, after Hayley Wickenheiser in 2007. She is only the third female athlete from a team sport to obtain this individual distinction, after Wickenheiser and Christine Sinclair, in 2012 and 2020.
Not liking to talk about herself, Poulin nevertheless revealed a bit of her secret behind her performances on these great occasions.
“I like training; I like doing an extra series, when no one is watching, said Poulin. I tell myself that it may pay off one day. Maybe not in the next week; maybe not in the next year. But eventually, it will pay off.
“It’s also important for me to remember why I play hockey, and it’s to have fun: to accomplish all that in these important moments with a smile,” mentioned the Quebecer.
His Team Canada coach, Troy Ryan, confirmed that Poulin is preparing to be at the center of those big moments every day of his life.
“She treats pretty simple things like they’re big moments,” he said. If she misses an exercise in practice, you can tell she’s angry with herself. She is constantly striving for perfection.
“You sometimes see players coming up the wing, a little lazily, leaning on one leg and taking a shot at 75% of their abilities. I’ve been running Poulin for five years, and I’ve never seen her do that. She never botches anything,” he continued.
“When you play with that kind of mentality, why wouldn’t you want to get the puck on your stick blade late in the game? “, he questioned.
What’s less visible is Poulin’s leadership off the ice. It imposes a team culture in which all members can be who they want to be and feel that their contributions are appreciated, which translates into good performance on the ice.
“It’s easy to follow her,” Ryan said. She does a lot of good things on the ice. But what she does on the outside, I don’t think many people realize. […] She has this ability to make you feel good outside the rink. »
With 97 goals and 103 assists in 166 games for Canada, Poulin ranks fifth all-time behind Wickenheiser, Jayna Hefford, Caroline Ouellette and Danielle Goyette.
Wickenheiser, Hefford and Goyette are all in the Hall of Fame.
Poulin is trying to set up a professional women’s hockey league that would allow its players to make a living from their art. In the meantime, she is playing exhibition games and tournaments, in addition to series like Dream Gap Tour. The Montreal Canadiens recently hired her to join their player development department.
“I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for me,” concluded Poulin.